Page 49 of Bone Dust

“It isn’t much to tell. I grew up not far from here. Me, and some of my buddies, were riding through on our motorcycles. The town was more abandoned than I remembered but, we stopped, poked through the buildings to see what we could see, and then started looking up stuff—the history of the place.

These buildings have been here since the gold rush days, and they were still solid. The ‘bones were good,’ so to speak. The town was founded by Mad Dog men who took a chance on a dream. A crazy idea about gold. We understood them because that’s exactly what we had: a crazy idea.

We came up with the insane notion that we could give the town a new life, give people in the area a place to go, and, with enough growth, give Nashville and Austin a run for their money. Good music, good eats, and a safe place to enjoy the company of friends and family. We’re not where we started but this town’s not near where it’s going.”

“You weren’t afraid of the risks?” I ask.

“Yes! And no.” He pauses. “Once we all started talking about it, others got interested. They liked the idea but didn’t want to be involved in the day-to-day stuff, so they became investors. It’s paying off. New bars are opening and young people pitch us with ideas for coffee shops, cupcake shops, and the like. We have two priorities: keep it nice, keep it safe.”

The door bangs open, and we spin toward the sound.

A lone guy stands inside the entrance, a little off balance, and looking around. Then he stops, pinning Savi with his eyes.

“Savannah. I knew I’d find you.” He stumbles toward her.

“We’re closed.” I step in front of him, blocking him with my body.

He sneers at me, sniffing back like he’s smelled something bad. “Who the fuck are you?” His eyes roam over me from head to toe. “Oh, I know you. You’re the guy from that band. The one who OD’d. I thought you died.”

Smartass punk. My brow hitches and lips quirk as I fold my arms across my chest. “Very much alive—and we’re closed.”

He barrels into me. “I got business here—don’t I, Savannah?”

He looks over my shoulder and I grab the neck of his shirt. “Is he bothering you, Savi?”

“Savi? Awwwww. That’s so sweet.”

His spittle hits my cheek and I walk him a few steps back. “It’s after hours and you’re trespassing. Past your bedtime, dickwad.”

He headbutts me. I blink it off quickly and snatch the front of his shirt in my fist. “Take your drunk ass home.” The words seethe through my clenched teeth. I’m about to throw him out the door, and then …

“What do you want, Drake?”

I freeze and he looks around me. His eyes narrow. His lip curls. “Well, hello, sweetheart,” he cackles. “Been a long time.”

He swats at my hand, but hell would freeze over before I’d unleash this asshole. His tongue darts out to lick the slobber off his lips.

“I came to see YOU!” He thrusts a bony finger at her.

“You’re violating a restraining order.” Her eyes meet mine. “He’s not supposed to be anywhere near me.”

“And what about that little girl, huh? Am I not supposed to be near her either?”

Savannah lunges from the chair. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Well, what about it, bitch; is she mine?”

Savi springs at him and the only thing between them is me.

“Savannah, No!” Sam snatches her around the waist and her cheeks turn crimson.

“I’ll kill you.” She says, trying to break Sam’s hold.

“Get him the fuck out of here, Ian.” Sam’s order has me flinging Drake, hard. He hits the door frame and flings off it. His chest bumps mine. I fist his shirt once again and put my face in his. “You heard the man. Get the fuck outta here.”

I throw him through the doorway and he trips, his face falling over the curb. He looks back at me as I slam the door and throw the locks.

I take a minute. My chest heaves. I turn and lock eyes with Savannah. “Say the word. I’ll kick his ass.”

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