Page 47 of Boulder's Weight

"But the café seems to be his main target," Python says, his voice tight. "Which makes no fucking sense. It's just a small place with cats and coffee."

"Unless it's not about the café itself," I suggest. "Maybe it's about sending a message. Going after the Enforcer's woman's business is a pretty direct challenge."

Amara nods slowly. "That's a good point. Or it could be that the café is the easiest target. Most of our other businesses have more physical security."

"Cats don't make the best guard dogs," Axel quips, trying to lighten the mood.

Python doesn't crack a smile. "If that fucker hurts one of those cats, I'll skin him alive."

"We'll keep them safe," I promise. "All of them."

After finishing our meal, we head back outside.

The sun is starting to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

It's beautiful, in a stark way that reminds me I'm far from Montana.

"Brick will meet you at the café at eight," Amara tells me. "You'll take first watch. Four hours on, four off. Keep your phone on and stay alert."

"Yes, ma'am," I say, climbing onto my bike.

"And Boulder?" she adds, her voice softening slightly. "Be careful. If Andrés is working for Sally, he's more dangerous than your average thug."

I nod, appreciating her concern. "I'll watch my back."

As I kick my bike to life, Axel calls out, "Try not to get distracted by your barista girlfriend!"

I flip him off good-naturedly, but his words stick with me as I pull away.

Kelsey isn't my girlfriend.

She's not even close.

She's a woman who lied to me, who's clearly hiding something, who I can't seem to get out of my head even though I know I should.

But as I ride through the streets of Chihuahua toward the club to grab some supplies before my surveillance shift, I know one thing for certain: whatever's going on with Kelsey, whatever danger is circling Astra's café, I'm going to protect them.

Not just because it's my job as a prospect, but because I don’t want her to get hurt.

And maybe, just maybe, in the process of keeping watch, I'll finally get some answers about Kelsey in the process.

Either way, I'm going to find out and I'm going to make damn sure nothing happens to her, even if she doesn't want my protection.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Kelsey

I wipe down the counter one last time, the smell of coffee and disinfectant filling my nostrils as I work the cloth in slow, methodical circles.

The café is quiet now, empty of customers, only the occasional soft meow breaking the silence.

After we close up shop, it suddenly becomes so much more peaceful—just me and Astra and a dozen rescue cats.

"You're getting good at closing up," Astra says, emptying the last of the coffee grounds into the compost bin. "You'll be managing this place for me in no time, if you want to, that is."

I smile, feeling a small glow of pride. "Thanks. It's not that different from Tart, really. Coffee's coffee, wherever you go."

"True," Astra agrees, leaning against the counter. "Though most cafés don't have furry co-workers trying to knock everything off the shelves."

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