Page 103 of Bennett

He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t have to. He was calm. Steady. The kind of steady that made your instincts sit up straight and pay attention.

The pushy guy froze for half a second. Then scoffed and backed up, muttering words Laurel didn’t catch.

When he turned to go, another man materialized from the shadows behind the dumpster.

Sinjin.

She recognized him as the ESI guy that was keeping an eye on her aunt.

No expression, but a steady stare. And when the offender turned and bolted down the alley like a cornered rat, Sinjin gave chase.

Laurel stood frozen for a breath before turning back toward the man with the scar, only to find the space he’d been standing in already empty.

Annie let out a breath and leaned against the wall. “Well,” she said. “That was unexpected.”

Laurel’s heart continued to pound at an increased rate. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Annie said, though her hands were shaking a little. “Wasn’t expecting a muscle-flexing monologue behind the dumpster, but here we are.”

Laurel forced a laugh even as her gaze darted back to the empty shadows. She’d barely gotten her heart to slow when she heard footsteps, quick, and sure, and then the deep thump of someone being slammed against brick.

She turned just in time to see Sinjin rounding the corner, one hand gripping the arm of the man who’d threatened them, dragging him toward the back lot like it was just another Wednesday.

The guy was gasping, trying to squirm loose, but Sinjin looked like he hadn’t even broken a sweat.

And then Bennett was there.

He rushed around the corner, jaw tight, eyes scanning until they landed on Laurel—and then Annie—before locking on the man in Sinjin’s grip.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice sharp but steady.

“Your guy here,” Annie said, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve, “just intercepted someone who thought threats and intimidation were a good idea.”

Laurel added, “He came at Annie hard. Told her she should back off the renovations. I stepped in, and he got aggressive with us both.”

Bennett’s gaze flicked back to the man’s face.

The guy was pale but tight-lipped.

Bennett tilted his head. “You know him?”

“No,” Laurel said. “But I’ve seen him before. On-site, I think. Maybe one of Brandi’s crew?”

Sinjin spoke for the first time. “He ran. That’s all I needed to know.”

Bennett looked at Laurel again, this time a little longer. Not just checking for injuries—checking in. She didn’t shrink under it.

“I’m fine,” she said, softer now. “He didn’t get the chance.”

Bennett nodded once, then looked at Sinjin. “My truck’s on the side. Let’s get him in there and call Gabe.”

Sinjin gave a slight nod and moved past them without another word, dragging the man along.

As they disappeared around the side, Laurel exhaled and finally let herself lean against the brick wall. Her aunt was fine. She was fine. But this? This wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Laurel reached for her aunt’s elbow gently. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.”

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