Page 96 of Caught in the Crossfire

“I’m not sure.” She summarized the incident in the alley, ending with, “He didn’t hurt me, Mason.”

“Because Linc stopped him.”

“I’m fine. I don’t want you to do anything to Fisher.”

“I can’t let this pass without addressing it.”

“You won’t have to do anything. Fisher will brag about his assistance. I don’t understand why he was in the alley behind the salon.”

Mason rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll owe Zane a boatload of favors before this is finished.”

“Why?”

“He’s our best resource to find out if security cameras are nearby at the right angle. Surveillance footage might show what he was up to.”

“If we’re lucky.” Nicole sighed. “I guess I need to talk to Fortress about a security upgrade for the salon.”

“Excellent idea.”

“First thing Monday morning,” she promised. “You’ll let Fisher come to you?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“He’s pushing you, hoping you come after him. I guarantee he’ll press charges for assault if you give him what he wants. Don’t let him goad you into reacting with anger. I don’t want to marry you in a prison chapel.”

He flashed her a quick grin. “Neither do I. I’ve already bought plane tickets to our honeymoon destination.”

She moved close until her lips brushed his with every word she spoke. “So, where are you taking me for our honeymoon?”

Mason chuckled. “It’s a surprise, one I think you’ll love.”

“I don’t care where we go as long as I’m with you and we shut off our phones for a week. All I want is to have you to myself.”

“A few more weeks, and you’ll be my wife.”

She could hardly wait. With trouble swirling around them, though, Nicole prayed they lived long enough to enjoy their honeymoon.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Mason stood outside Nicole’s bedroom door, reluctant to leave her. He’d hidden his reaction to her news of the incident in the alley. In truth, he worried about her safety. Fisher had an attitude like a schoolyard bully, throwing his weight around to get what he wanted. Did he want Nicole or was he taunting her to get a rise out of Mason?

Why go after her in the first place? Another thought made Mason’s blood run cold. Was Patton or Fisher the construction worker Riva was dating? No matter what the grapevine thought, Riva’s secret man wasn’t Mason.

“Mase?” Linc’s low voice drew his attention. “Everything okay?”

With one last glance at the closed door, Mason retraced his steps down the hall. “Not really.”

“Nicole talked to you?”

He nodded. “Thanks for protecting her in the alley.”

“No thanks needed, buddy. I’m glad I was there.”

“Did you know Rod Kelter came to the salon today?”

Linc’s eyes narrowed. “Dawn told me. What did he want with Nicole?”

Mason summarized what she’d relayed to him. “I talked to Z today. He traced the emails sent to Gage and Ivan back to an account established by someone claiming to be Nicole. They were sent from the town library. I have a friend checking to see if security cameras are in place to watch the computers.”

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