Page 53 of Fastlander Fallen

A surprised laugh escaped her. “That is not lock screen material.”

“Disagree,” he said, making his way behind the cash register counter.

It was perfect timing, because right then, Marissa and Captain entered the front door. He’d probably heard them coming, of course. He’d had warning. She hadn’t, so Corey stood there awkwardly, like she hadn’t just had the devil kissed right out of her by the sexiest man she’d ever been around.

Her cheeks had been set aflame, and she stammered a hello to them.

Captain frowned at her, and then swung his gaze over to Ace. His face went comically blank before he laughed and shook his head.

She noticed the exact moment Ace’s demeanor changed. He was looking at the ground where he was standing, and the smile fell from his face. He took a few steps back and stared at the ground with wide eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Captain demanded, and then in a blur, he hopped the counter and stood beside Ace, staring down at the ground with him. “Holy shit.”

“We’ll make an offer,” Ace murmured to Marissa without looking up.

“You will? That’s great news!” Marissa riffled through her satchel while Corey made her way around the counter to see what was on the ground that had both the boys looking like they’d seen a ghost.

Someone had spray-painted something on the ground in black paint.

1010

Getting warmer.

L. Novak

“I don’t get it,” Corey said. “What does it mean?”

Ace broke his stare away from the writing and locked eyes with her. “Ten-ten means sanctuary. L. Novak is Lucia Novak.”

“Who is she?”

“She’s a daughter of Beaston. She is the up-and-coming seer of Damon’s Mountains. She can see the future. She is the reason Gunner is starting the Fastlanders.”

Chills blasted up her spine and arms. “Do you think she saw this moment? Us here?”

Slowly, Ace pointed his finger toward the window by the cash register. There was more spray paint on the ground, and it said just one word.

Yes.

Holy shit was right.

Chills, chills, chills!

“Here is the contract for an offer, if you would like to look over it. Your boss said you have final say,” Marissa said to Ace. “That you are the one purchasing this place?”

Corey jerked her attention to Ace. “You are?”

“Dude, why didn’t you tell me?” Captain asked low.

Ace exhaled a sigh and pulled the paperwork across the counter to himself. “Because I didn’t need anyone knowing. I paid my franchise fee already. Audrey approved of being a co-owner of this one a few weeks ago.”

“Okay, but I probably wouldn’t have fought you if I knew you were going to be my new boss,” Captain ground out.

“Bullshit, you still would’ve fought me,” Ace said, studying the paperwork.

Captain’s lips quirked up into a grin. “You’re probably right.”

“I know I am. How much wiggle room does the seller have?” he asked Marissa.

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