Page 82 of Steeled

“Who is she?” Clem asked a second time.

“She and Lawson had a thing about a year ago, when he was in Nashville. She moved here thinking she could get him back.”

“Were they serious?”

“Regardless, there’s no way she stands a chance now,” Arizona interjected. “Even if you weren’t pregnant, your history with Lawson is practically legendary in this town. I know that, and I wasn’t even here for most of it. There’s no contest. It’s obvious she’s used to gettin’ her way stickin’ out her chest and battin’ her lashes—but not here, and certainly not with your man.”

“I’d still feel better if you gave your man a call; let him know what went down here,” insisted Barb.

“Yeah. Me, too. I’ll do that now.”

He’d arrived at the venue early enough to watch Moretti pull into the parking lot, Dobbs riding shotgun. Rather than head inside, he got out of his truck and waited for Moretti and Dobbs to join him in the cool, morning air. There were already dozens of people at the distillery, most of them setting up for the event. Lawson knew it would be a couple hours before his sister arrived. The artists were expected to report at ten. The doors to the convention opened to the public at eleven, and Vollucci Security would be on duty until seven for the next three days, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday.

“Hey,” greeted Moretti with a chin lift as he stepped down out of his vehicle. He smirked and nodded toward his future brother-in-law as he went on to say, “Dax and I’ve got a bet going. How long into this gig will it take before Finn gives in and goes under the needle himself?”

A lazy smile tugged at the corner of Lawson’s mouth as he looked to Dobbs and asked, “You don’t have any ink?”

Dobbs combed his fingers through his hair, pulling the long strands away from his forehead. “Not yet. Been thinkin’ about it for a few months now.”

“Well, what do you say? You in?” Moretti inquired, eyebrows lifted in anticipation. “I say four days. First one’s the hardest. Dax has got his wager on day two.”

Lawson shook his head. “I think I’ll pass on this one. But regardless of when you’re ready to go under the needle, my sister’s the best this town’s got. I don’t care what traveling talent walks through that door, they won’t do any better. And I’m not just sayin’ that ‘cause she’s my sister. Her work speaks for itself.”

“Yeah. I’ve seen her Instagram. She’s legit,” Dobbs replied with a chin lift.

“Come on,” said Moretti, turning toward the building. “Let’s head in there and see what’s what.”

Fifteen minutes later, after they’d found the event coordinator and got their marching orders, they were getting ready to part ways when Lawson’s phone began to ring. At the sight of her name, he didn’t think twice about it before he signaled his need for a moment, took a couple steps away, and swiped his thumb across the screen, bringing the device to his ear.

“Hey, baby. Everything okay?” he asked, turning his back slightly toward the guys.

“Yeah. Somethin’ happened, and I just wanted you to be aware.”

He braced himself before he replied, “Okay…”

“Ashlynn showed up at the salon.”

“What?” he asked with furrowed brow.

“It was weird, babe. She asked for me specifically. And when I asked her what she wanted, she said she wanted me to dye her hair the same shade as mine.”

“What the hell?”

“I know. Like I said—weird. Anyway, I refused and asked her to leave.”

Scowling down at his feet, he asked, “Do you want me to call her?”

“I don’t know. It’s probably nothin’. She was sizin’ up the competition, I guess.”

Amused, Lawson breathed a quiet chuckle. “Baby—we both know there’s no competition.”

“Weknow that. Ashlynn, on the other hand…”

“Right. Well—I’ll let it slide this once, but if she comes around you again, I want you to call me right away.”

“I will.”

Lawson thought about the last time he’d issued a similar warning. “A few weeks ago, it was Creed I was worried about,” he muttered. “Never thought the tables would turn like this.”

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