Page 28 of Cold as Stone
“I’ll choose my own associations, thanks,” I say, my voice cooling several degrees. “Now, if there’s nothing else?”
We exit back to the main bar area just as the door swings open, admitting Lee, Axel, and Cash. Their timing couldn’t be worse—or better, depending on how you look at it.
Crane stiffens almost imperceptibly. Lee’s eyes narrow as they clock the suit, then find me, a question in them that I can’t quite answer.
“Gentlemen,” Crane says with a nod as he edges toward the door. “Ms. Sullivan, consider our offer. I’ll be in touch.”
The bell over the door jingles as he leaves, the sound oddly cheerful in the tense silence he leaves behind.
Lee is at the bar in three long strides, his eyes burning with questions. “Who the hell was that?”
“David Crane. Summit Development.” I reach under the bar for the bourbon, pouring myself a shot before offering the bottle to the men. “He came to make me an offer on the bar.”
Axel’s eyebrows shoot up. “Summit’s moving on Devil’s now?”
“Apparently.” I knock back the shot, welcoming the burn. “Offered me three times what Devil asked for.”
“And?” Lee’s voice is tight.
I give him a flat look. “And I told him no.”
The tension in Lee’s shoulders eases slightly, but his scowl remains fixed. “What else did he want?”
“He mentioned the town council is reviewing zoning for this district. Something about restricting liquor licenses in mixed-use developments. Implied that if I didn’t sell now, I might find myself unable to operate later.”
“Fucking snakes,” Cash mutters, accepting the glass I slide his way.
“He also mentioned my ‘associations’ with the club,” I add. “Suggested I be careful about the company I keep.”
Lee’s hands clench into fists on the bar top. “They’re watching us. And now you’re on their radar.”
“Because of the meetings you’ve been having here?” I ask.
“Maybe,” Axel puts in. “But it’s likely they had eyes on the place the moment Devil became interested in selling. This is fast, though. Even for them.”
“I don’t like it,” Lee says, his voice dropping to a near-growl. “I don’t like them sniffing around you.”
His tone makes my hackles rise. “I can handle myself, Lee.”
“Against Summit? Against the cartel?” He shakes his head. “This was a mistake. We should never have involved you. I’d like to drag Devil back here and?—”
“Excuse me?” I plant my hands on the bar, leaning forward. “You didn’t ‘involve’ me in anything. I chose to be a part of this town, and I’m choosing to be a part of this. My bar, my town, my choice.”
“Your choice is going to get you hurt,” he snaps. “These people don’t play nice, Kya. They’re ruthless. And now they’ve got their sights on you.”
“So what’s your solution? I should just roll over? Sell them the bar and skip town with my tail between my legs?” I glare at him. “That’s not happening.”
Lee runs a hand through his hair, frustration radiating from him. “Damn it, Kya. I’m trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I was old enough to reach the stove. I don’t need you charging in like some leather-clad knight now.”
Axel and Cash exchange a glance, clearly sensing they’ve wandered into personal territory.
“We should go,” Axel murmurs to Cash, who nods quickly.
“Yeah.” Cash slides off his stool, giving Lee a pointed look. “You coming, brother?”
Lee doesn’t even look their way. “I’ll catch up.”
