Page 167 of On The Rocks

She nodded. “You, Miss?”

“I’ll have the chili and a half-grilled cheese and a water.”

Mel focused on Baron. “Can I get you anything beyond the coffee?”

“Oh, uh. I probably should. The chili sounds good.” He gave her a vague smile.

“Water for me too,” I said and smiled at Mel. “Thanks.”Once she was gone, I folded my hands on the table. “Cops were less than helpful.”

“Color me shocked.”

“Had to do something.”

“I get it, but it’s no use.”

“So, you’re just going to roll over for her again?”

Baron’s dark gaze snapped to meet mine. “You don’t know what she’s like. Not truly.”

“Yeah, well, she tried to hurt not only me, but mine.”

“Watch it, ace,” Lennon said quietly.

I turned to her. “You are mine, Lennon. Just the same as I’m yours. And she’s tried to hurt you twice now.”

She covered my hand. “I know.”

I stroked the side of her hand with my thumb, then I faced Baron again. “I have an idea.”

Baron simply arched a brow at me and took a sip from his coffee.

“It’ll only work if you are willing to help me.”

“Go on,” he said tersely.

“Memorial Day is usually our first show, but?—”

Baron pushed his chair back and started to get up. “No way.”

“Just wait.”

He gritted his teeth, but he sat back down and pulled in his chair. “I’m through with the stage, man.”

“I think it’s the only way she’d come out again. She hates me and for whatever reason, she wants revenge on me for whatever perceived slight she’s got in that twisted brain of hers.”

“Maybe you do know her better than I thought.”

I lowered my voice. “She fucking drugged me, Baron.”

“Why do you think I got into the hard stuff?” His gaze was direct and cool. “It wasn’t my idea. She thought it would make being with me transcendent.”

“Fuck me.” I fisted my hands on the table. “Why the hell did you stay?”

“We were toxic, but it was addicting. More than any drug, she was a high I could never resist.” His voice was low and wounded. “Until she did it to you. I might have wanted to kill you at first for getting in bed with her, but you helped me break away from her.”

“Then help me get rid of her. Or at least make her show her face instead of doing this subterfuge crap.”

He blew out a breath. “What did you have in mind?”

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