Page 24 of The Stone Family Warrior

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” The guy scowled at him.

So that was how they were playing it. “Well, I’m making it my business.”

Cheryse yanked his black cover off. “Done.”

The guy held his gaze, then stood, turning to Cheryse and handing her a fifty-dollar bill. “Maybe keep the brother out of the salon. I think he’d be bad for business.”

Cheryse took the money but didn’t comment.

Trent walked the guy to the door. “You have no idea how bad for business I can be.”

The guy snarled at him. He was probably just some jerk on vacay. Someone who worked for Banks probably wouldn’t be so flagrant with their menacing ways.

The guy stomped out, and Trent followed, scouring the streets for anything out of the ordinary. He watched as the guy got into a car with out of state plates and drove off.

It wasn’t long before Cheryse joined him. “What do you think?”

“I think he’s just a regular jerk, not a Bankstype of jerk.” Trent put up a hand. “Hold on, I need to brief Brooks.” He turned away from her and dialed Brooks, telling him everything that had happened. It didn’t take long, and they both vowed to stay in touch.

He got off the phone and turned back to Cheryse. He didn’t like thinking that jerks were in his town, whether they were Banks jerks or not. “You okay?”

Cheryse hugged herself and ran her hands up and down her arms. “Banks is in town?” She was nearly five-eight and she had heels on, so she was close to six feet and eye level with him.

He grunted. “I don’t understand why you wear those shoes. How do you not topple over?”

She gave him a weak smile. Her long, jet-black hair wasn’t in great shape, and the dark circles beneath her eyes had him concerned.

He pulled her into a hug. “When was the last time you ate?” It wasn’t uncommon to hug Cheryse. Even though she’d been clear for years that she didn’t want a relationship with either him or his brother, Cheryse was like a part of their family. She was like a sister in so many ways. Especially in this way, where it came to her safety.

She shrugged away and waved a hand through the air. “I’m going to a fundraiser with Roger tonight. There’ll be plenty of food.”

Roger. Right. He didn’t want to get into a conversation about how proud she was of Roger and his “fundraising.” “Gotcha.”

One of her eyebrows went up. “You and Hunter hate him, don’t you?”

He surrendered, not surprised that she would pick up on that vibe. After all, they knew each other well. “He’s not our pick, per se.” That was the nicest thing he could muster. He fluttered his eyelashes. “But we don’t have to kiss his ugly mug. That’s your job.”

Lines of irritation creased her brow, but she only shook her head. “Whatever. I’ve gotten over trying to please you and Hunter a long time ago.”

“Clearly.” Trent coughed, not wanting to have a fight with one of his best friends but feeling like he could be goaded into it. Then he remembered something, and he turned on Cheryse. “So why did you keep a note from me?”

“What?” she sputtered.

“I ran into Liberty Grey yesterday. Hamilton now. She told me about that note you didn’t give me when we were sixteen.” He stepped into her space. “I dare you to deny it.”

Her look went from irritated to caught. “Lib? She’s here?”

He nodded. “I bumped into her at the caves, then stopped in to chat with her. Apparently, she inherited her grandmother’s house. It breaks my heart, but it turns out her husband and son passed away in a car wreck a little over a year ago.”

She gasped and put her hand to her mouth. “Oh my gosh.”

“Right?” He shook his head. “Can you believe that?”

Cheryse looked confused. “What about her mother?”

Trent shrugged. “That’s all I know.” Then he jumped to steady her when she swayed a little, like she might pass out. He took her by the shoulder and moved back to the salon. “You okay there?” He opened the door for them, and they walked inside.

Cheryse still had the shell-shocked look on her face. “No, actually.” She put her hand to her forehead and then walked to the cash register and picked up her purse. “Lori and Jenny, I’m leaving. Will you text me when you close up and activate the security?”

---