Page 37 of Boulder's Weight

I'm wiping down a table near the window when I notice it—a dark sedan parked across the street. The same one I spotted following me the other night.

My heart stutters, adrenaline flooding my system.

Is it Benji?

Could it be Craig?

Is it one of their hired thugs?

I force myself to keep moving, to act natural, even as my mind races through possible escape routes.

The car hasn't moved, but I can feel eyes on me, watching my every move.

Astra comes up beside me. "Everything okay?"

I startle, nearly knocking over a chair.

"Fine," I say quickly. "Just... thought I saw someone I knew."

She follows my gaze to the car, her expression sharpening. "Have you noticed that vehicle before?"

The directness of her question catches me off guard. "I... maybe. Why?"

Astra's eyes never leave the sedan. "Remember what I told you the other day? People are watching businesses under club protection."

Oh shit, I totally forgot about that with everything else going on.

"So, that’s what this place is?" I ask carefully. "Under club protection?"

She gives me a sidelong glance. "My husband is the Enforcer. What do you think?"

Okay, now I’m just sounding like a total idiot.

The café isn't just Astra's business—it's part of the club's territory. Which means anyone watching it is potentially a threat to the club, not just to me.

"I’ll tell Python about this right now," Astra says, pulling out her phone.

"No!" The word bursts out before I can stop it.

Astra raises an eyebrow, and I struggle to backpedal. "I mean, it's probably nothing. Just someone waiting for someone else."

Astra looks unconvinced. "Maybe. But I know better than to trust it. We don't take chances with 'probably nothing.'"

She steps away to make the call, leaving me with a knot of dread in my stomach.

The last thing I need is more club involvement in my personal drama.

If Python investigates the car and discovers it's here for me…

Before I can spiral further, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

I pull it out, expecting another threatening message from Benji.

Instead, I see Boulder's name on the screen.

Free tonight? Wanna grab dinner?

The text is casual, normal in a way that makes my chest ache.

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