Page 51 of Boulder's Weight

He became Dad's right hand, eager to learn the "family business."

Eager to please.

I never understood how my nurturing, protective big brother could transform into a man who would hunt me down for exposing our father's crimes.

How he could choose loyalty to a monster over his own sister.

"Kelsey?" Astra's voice brings me back to the present.

She's still looking at me with concern. "You sure you're okay?"

I nod, pushing myself to my feet. "Yeah, just need some air."

As I move toward the door, I notice a vehicle parked across the street—a dark SUV with tinted windows.

It hasn't been there all day.

"What's going on?" I ask, nodding toward the SUV. "Is someone watching the café?"

Astra follows my gaze, her expression relaxing slightly. "Oh, that's just the club. That SUV isn’t anything to worry about, okay? After Andrés made those threats, Amara assigned some of the guys to keep an eye on the place."

My stomach twists with unease. "Andrés?"

"Local idiot," Astra explains, locking the register. "He's been coming around, making threats. Tried to shake us down for 'protection money.' As if we don't already have the best protection in Chihuahua." She nods toward the SUV. "Python would gut him if he tried anything, but Amara wants to be cautious. There’s some other stuff going on with the club, and things could be tied together, but I’m uncertain. Hell, we all are."

I get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

If the club is watching the café, that means Boulder might be out there.

Things between us are so raw right now, so complicated.

I was hoping for some time to figure out how to handle the situation, but now it seems unavoidable.

"Do you... do you know who's out there tonight?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

Astra shrugs. "Python mentioned something about Boulder and Brick taking shifts. Why? Still complicated?"

I bite my lip. "Yeah. I wasn't exactly honest with him about some things, and he found out."

"Men hate being lied to," Astra says, gathering her purse. "But they'll get over it if you give them a good enough reason. Or a good enough blow job."

I laugh. "I'll keep that in mind."

We finish closing up, and soon I'm stepping out into the cool night air, Astra locking the door behind us.

"You want a ride home?" she offers. "Python wouldn't mind swinging by."

I shake my head. "Thanks, but I like the walk. Helps clear my head."

"Be careful," she warns. "Text me when you get there, okay?"

I promise I will, then start down the street, my senses on high alert.

The SUV is still there, but I can't see who's inside.

I'm torn between hoping it's Boulder and dreading it at the same time.

I've gone about three blocks when I get that prickly feeling on the back of my neck—the one that tells me I'm being watched—followed.

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