Page 56 of Cold as Stone
“Missed you,” he says simply, then his expression shifts. “Also, we need to talk. Privately.”
“Everything okay?”
“Define okay.” He glances around the bar, noting the handful of customers scattered at various tables. “Office?”
I nod. Once the door is closed, he pulls out his phone.
“Got this after church,” he says, handing it to me.
On the screen is a text from an unknown number.
Unknown
Tell your girlfriend to sell.
My blood runs cold. “Summit?”
“Has to be.” His jaw is tight. “They’re escalating.”
I stare at the message, my hands trembling slightly. “How do they even know about us?”
“Small town. Or they’ve been watching.” His voice is hard, dangerous. “Either way, they’re making it clear they can reach you through me.”
“It’s just a text,” I say, but my voice sounds shaky even to my ears.
“It’s a threat, Kya.” He takes the phone back, his knuckles white as he grips it. “They know where I was last night, they know we’re together, and they’re showing they don’t give a shit about your being with a club member.”
I lean against my desk, processing this. “What do we do?”
“You don’t do anything. This is something the club will handle.”
I want to argue, but this is becoming a situation that’s way outside my control.
“I need you to promise me something,” Lee says, his gaze holding mine.
“What?”
“You don’t go anywhere alone. Not until we figure out how serious they are.”
I bristle at the suggestion. “Lee, I can’t live in fear?—”
“I’m not asking you to live in fear. I’m asking you to be smart.” He steps closer, his hands settling on my hips. “Please, Kya. Just until we know what we’re dealing with.”
The concern breaks down my defenses. “Okay. But I’m not selling the bar.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.” He presses a quick kiss to my forehead. “We’ll figure this out.”
We head back to the main bar, where Mercy is wiping down tables and chatting with a customer. She looks up when we emerge, and I can see the questions in her eyes.
“Everything okay?” she asks when the customer leaves.
“Club stuff,” Lee says, which isn’t exactly a lie.
Before anyone can probe further, the front door opens and Cash walks in. He spots Lee immediately, and his expression shifts to something mischievous.
“Well, well,” he says, sliding onto a barstool. “Look who couldn’t stay away.”
“Shut up,” Lee mutters, but there’s no real heat in it.
