Page 28 of Burned in Stone
“She’s not a fucking dog. She isn’t going anywhere with you,” Cash states flatly.
“I wasn’t talking to you, boy.”
“Boy?” Cash laughs, but there’s zero humor in it. “I haven’t been a boy since I was twelve, and even then, I was running from predators a lot scarier than you.”
“Cash.” I put my hand on his arm, feeling the tension coiled there. The last thing we need is him getting arrested for assaulting a cop.
Gabriel notices the gesture, and his jaw tightens. “Is this what you left me for? Some pretty-boy criminal who probably can’t even spell commitment?”
I jump in before I can stop myself. “Better than a control freak who needed his wife to starve herself and never question him just to feed his ego.”
The words hang. Gabriel’s facade cracks, just for a second, and I see the rage underneath. The same rage that used to have me apologizing for breathing too loud.
“You need help, Mercedes. Professional help.” He pulls out his phone. “I can have you committed for evaluation. One call.”
“Try it,” Kya says. “I’ll have every lawyer in three counties here before you finish dialing. Plus, I’m recording this entireinteraction.” She points to the cameras above the bar. “Those record sound too. And threatening involuntary commitment because your ex-wife won’t come back to help with your tiny dick problems? That’ll look great in court.”
“Not to mention the stalking,” Cash adds. “Following her across state lines, showing up at her work, bringing backup to intimidate her. Pretty sure the feds have opinions about cops who abuse their power like that.”
Gabriel’s backup shifts uncomfortably. This isn’t what they signed up for.
“We should go,” one of them mutters.
But Gabriel isn’t done. “You think you’re safe here? With them? I’m not the only cop transferring to Stoneheart. We’re cleaning up this town, starting with the MC. And when we’re done, you’ll have nowhere to hide.”
“Is that a threat?” The voice comes from behind them — calm, heavy, dangerous. Stone. I hadn’t even heard him come in, but suddenly the MC president is there, and the entire dynamic shifts.
Gabriel turns. “Just stating facts.”
“Here’s a fact,” Stone says, his voice conversational but his eyes lethal. “Mercy Rogers is under the protection of the Stoneheart MC. That means anyone who threatens her, threatens us. And we don’t respond well to threats.”
“You’re threatening police officers?”
“I’m informing you of consequences.” Stone steps closer. “You want to clean up this town? Start with the real criminals. Theones Summit’s paying you to ignore while you harass innocent women.”
Gabriel’s face flushes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I?” Stone pulls out his phone, scrolls to something. “Interesting transfer you got. Fast-tracked by Summit’s people on the city council. Almost like they needed their own cops in place for something.”
The backup cops exchange another look. They definitely didn’t know the MC was aware of the Summit connection.
“We’re leaving,” one of them says, grabbing Gabriel’s arm. “Now.”
Gabriel shakes him off, his eyes locked on me. “This isn’t over, Mercedes. You’re sick, and I’m going to help you whether you want it or not.”
“The only sick one here is you,” I say, finding strength in the wall of leather and loyalty around me. “And if you come near me again, I’ll file a restraining order.”
“Good luck with that. I’m a cop.”
“And I’m done being afraid of you.” The words surprise me as much as him. “You don’t control me anymore, Gabriel. I never should have let you.”
And for the first time, he’s the one who looks small—asmall, insecure man who needs to control others to feel powerful.
Then his backup is dragging him toward the door, muttering about not wanting to lose their payday over his personal drama.
“You’ll regret this,” he calls over his shoulder. “All of you.”
The door closes behind them. The entire bar is silent for a heartbeat.
