Page 62 of Cold as Stone
“Good.” I flash her a grin. “And note, I’ll be bringing an overnight bag.”
She narrows her eyes. “And you’ll be sleeping on the couch, sir. I have a bet to win.”
The clubhouse is buzzing with activity when I arrive. Brothers clustered in small groups, voices low and serious. Whatever this is about, it’s big.
Stone calls the meeting to order, and we file into the chapel. The atmosphere is tense, focused in a way that usually means trouble.
“Josie has a friend on the council who dropped us some intel,” Stone begins without preamble. “And it’s bad news.”
Hawk spreads a map on the table. Red X’s mark various properties throughout downtown, with arrows indicating planned developments.
“They want the entire historic district,” Hawk explains. “Eight blocks, including the residential neighborhoods on Oak Street and Pine Avenue.”
My blood runs cold. Oak Street is where Duck lives with his wife. Pine Avenue is home to half a dozen club families, people who’ve been part of this community for generations.
“What’s their timeline?” Axel asks.
“Fast,” Stone replies grimly. “They’ve already got the council votes they need for the commercial rezoning. Residential is next on the agenda in two months.”
“And if they pass the changes?”
“Everyone in those neighborhoods gets bought out or forced out. Historic homes get torn down for condos and strip malls.” Stone’s jaw is tight. “They’re trying to erase the soul of this town.”
Cash leans forward. “What’s Josie say about this?”
“She’s working on it, but legal challenges take time. Time we might not have.”
“So what’s the play?” I ask.
“I want everyone reaching out to their contacts,” Stone continues. “Property owners, businesspeople, anyone with influence. If we can prevent Devil’s being rezoned, we might have a fighting chance with the other areas.”
“What about the townsfolk?” Duck asks. “If these bastards are willing to threaten Kya over one bar, what happens when we start pushing back?”
“We protect our own,” Stone says simply. “And anyone else who stands with us.”
The meeting continues for another hour, assignments handed out, strategies discussed. By the time we’re dismissed, everyone knows their role in the coming fight.
But as I head back to my bike, my thoughts aren’t on Summit or strategy. They’re on Kya, alone at the bar, unaware that the threat just got exponentially bigger.
I pull out my phone and send her a text.
Lee
How’s your day going?
Her response comes back almost immediately.
Kya
Good. Mercy’s handling things beautifully. Looking forward to seeing you.
The simple message makes me smile despite everything. Whatever’s coming, whatever Summit has planned, I’ll be damned if I let them touch her.
Tonight, I’ll make her laugh, make her feel safe, make her forget about everything except us.
And then I’ll spend the next thirteen days driving her absolutely wild.
Two can play this game, Kya Sullivan. But only one of us is going to win.
