Chapter 1

After Kyle Jenkins dropped that line, a sudden quiet swept over the private booth.

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the tabletop, his face practically glowing with self-satisfaction.

Whatever the person on the other end of the line said back made Kyle frown. "Just do what I told you and stop running your mouth. I'll take the fall if anything goes wrong."

Without waiting for a reply, he hung up right then and there.

Mason Walker was the first one to snap out of it, raising his glass with a grin. "Kyle's got real backbone, man. Being a landlord nowadays means doing things exactly like Kyle here. If tenants don't know how to behave, you just clear them out."

Kyle soaked in the praise, though his eyes never left me.

He was fishing for panic on my face.

Too bad he came up empty.

I picked up my hoodie from the back of my chair and slowly pushed myself to my feet. "Touch my stuff, and deal with the consequences."

The smug smile froze on Kyle's face for a split second.

He clearly hadn't expected me to talk back with that kind of attitude given the circumstances.

"Consequences?"

He echoed the word, then let out a sudden laugh.

"Liam, do you even understand what's going on? You're living in a building I own. Forget a lock change. If I decide to toss your junk out on the curb today, you'll be sleeping on the concrete."

"I paid my rent according to the lease."

"Lease?"

Kyle let out a harsh scoff. "That was the old price. The rent went up, so you pay the difference."

"I literally paid it last week."

"Last week was last week. Today is today."

He held up two fingers and shook them right in front of my face.

"Price hike. It used to be 1,500, but now it's 2,400. If you can't afford it, pack your bags."

I stared right into his eyes. "Are you sure about that?"

"Obviously, I'm sure."

Kyle cranked up the volume as if making sure everyone in the room could hear.

"You're living under my roof, my word is law. If I say it goes up, you pay. Period."

Mason immediately jumped in. "Look, Liam, Kyle's only giving you a heads-up because he's a nice guy. Anyone else would've thrown your crap straight into the dumpster."

I didn't bother giving him the time of day.

Mason's expression darkened, and he purposely shifted his gaze toward Paige.

"Right, Paige? A real man must show some authority. If you can't even keep a single tenant in line, what kind of boss are you?"

Paige lifted her gaze and threw Kyle a single look.

She stayed completely silent.

Yet Kyle acted like he’d just won an award, a grin spreading across his face again.

"Hear that? Even Paige thinks I'm making the right call."

Paige frowned, finally opening her mouth. "I didn't say a word."

A few people around stifled their laughter, biting their lips to keep from laughing out loud.

Kyle’s expression soured instantly.

He slammed his glass down hard on the table, sending liquid splashing over the rim. "Fine. Nobody's eating anymore."

He shoved his chair back, grabbed his car keys, and struck the table with a sharp, echoing snap.

"All of you, come watch the show."

Mason’s eyes lit up. "Are we getting to see Liam get booted out?"

"You bet."

Kyle locked his eyes on me.

"I'm going to teach you what happens when you mess with your landlord."

I pulled on my jacket and turned toward the exit.

Kyle's voice chased me out the door.

"Who do you think you're fooling? Even if you crawl back and beg me later, I'm locking you out."

I didn't break my stride.

Paige hung back at the very end of the group.

As she walked past Kyle, her voice was ice cold. "You'd better figure out what you're actually doing before you do it."

Kyle chuckled right away.

"Don't worry about it, babe. I've got total control."

He picked up his keys and flashed them mockingly at Mason.

"All bark and no cash, watch how fast this guy breaks down crying."

Mason nodded eagerly. "Total boss move, Kyle."

None of them noticed the flash of pure disgust in Paige's eyes as she turned away.

Meanwhile, I stepped out into the night air and glanced up at the evening sky.

That old apartment building was only two blocks away.

I had bought the entire place exactly half a month ago.