His mouth turned into a snarl.
“Everything okay, Luna?”
Luke Trainer moved to her right side, and she felt another presence to Hugo’s left. Joe Trainer now stood there.
“Yes, everything is fine.” She didn’t need them in Simon’s sights. “This is Hugo; he’s a friend.” She didn’t introduce Simon.
“Hugo,” the Trainers said, eyes fixed on Simon.
“And you are?” Luke asked.
“He’s Simon Nicks,” Hugo said.
“Well now, it seems you’ve made friends since you’ve been here, Luna.” Simon raised his camera.
“This is private property. I’m going to have to ask you to lower that,” Joe said in a pleasant tone. She shot him a look, and his eyes were narrowed just like Hugo’s and Luke’s.
“You’re kidding me. It’s a lodge, and not just any lodge but Senator Hosking’s brother’s lodge.”
“And private property,” Luke said.
“Seems like you have the boys all in line already, Luna,” Simon said.
Joe sighed loudly. “Are you that asshole who bribed Doug the stripper to get photos of Luna at the bachelorette party?”
Simon didn’t speak.
“I’m just sure he is,” Hugo said.
“I’ve heard most of you paparazzi are real a-holes,” Joe added.
“I heard that,” Luke said. “And on the strength of that knowledge it’s probably a good time to clear up a few things. This is our town, and Luna is in it, and a friend. Ted, too, is a local and friend. We don’t like it when outsiders appear causing problems for people we like. My advice to you, Simpson—”
“Simon,” he snapped.
“—is you go on and leave town now.”
“You’re not serious?” Simon looked shocked. “She’s not a local.” He pointed to Luna.
“She’s a friend and an honorary local, so kinda the same thing,” Joe said. “Hugo too.”
Luna should really put a stop to this, but it felt so good to have someone in her camp. Plus, she had a lump in her throat so big, she couldn’t form any words around it.
“What is this, the Wild West?”
“Well now, Simpkin—”
“It’s Simon!”