Chapter 99: Jameson — Summary and Study Notes

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with the Hawthorne brothers and Avery transitioning from an SUV to a private jet, a journey that signals both urgency and the family's resources. Grayson has obtained the trust paperwork and sets his tablet down for the others to examine. Avery is the first to read it, and she discovers a crucial clause: the money is controlled by a trustee until the beneficiary turns thirty years old—or marries. This detail immediately raises the stakes because Savannah, the beneficiary, is only seventeen and will turn eighteen in seven months.

Grayson then reveals the identity of Savannah's boyfriend: he is the son of Kent Trowbridge, the same man who has been draining Acacia Grayson's finances and using the FBI to pressure her. Grayson's tone turns grim as he explains that the elder Trowbridge is boxing Acacia in, ensuring her only options are him or his son. When Xander asks if they dislike the boyfriend, Grayson's expression becomes murderous. He reports that the boyfriend touches Savannah when she doesn't want to be touched, and he has witnessed the father doing the same to Acacia—a hand on her shoulder, inching toward her neck. Grayson describes the son as whiny and the father as dangerous.

Nash, ever direct, suggests they take him out, removing his second-favorite cowboy hat as if preparing for action. Jameson smiles, confident that Kent Trowbridge has no idea what he's up against—no one stands a chance against any two of the Hawthorne brothers, let alone all four. Jameson asks Grayson what they have to work with. Grayson lists their assets: illegal activity to hold over Trowbridge's head if they can prove he emptied Acacia's trust, a safe in his home office that Grayson didn't have time to crack on a previous visit, and all of Trowbridge's passwords, which the man kept taped to the inside of his desk. Jameson leans forward, ready to play. Across the aisle, Nash looks from Xander to Avery and asks if they're thinking the same thing. Xander grins and declares that this should be fun.

Key Events

• The group travels from SUV to private jet, and Grayson obtains the trust paperwork.

• Avery reads that the money is controlled by a trustee until the beneficiary turns thirty or marries.

• Grayson reveals Savannah is seventeen, turning eighteen in seven months, and has a boyfriend who is Kent Trowbridge's son.

• Grayson explains that the elder Trowbridge is draining Acacia's finances and using the FBI to pressure her.

• Grayson discloses that the boyfriend touches Savannah without her consent, and the father is dangerous.

• Nash suggests taking Trowbridge out, and Jameson asks what they have to work with.

• Grayson lists illegal activity, a safe in Trowbridge's home office, and passwords taped to his desk as leverage.

• Nash asks Xander and Avery if they're thinking the same thing, and Xander says it should be fun.

Character Development

Jameson serves as the chapter's point-of-view character, and his perspective reveals his strategic mindset. He doesn't know the Trowbridges personally, but he immediately grasps the gravity of the situation from Grayson's words. His smile and readiness to