Page 57 of Unmasked Rivalry
Ruger nods, grinning, and then disappears into the barn.
Knox steps closer to me, his fingers grazing down my cheek and sending shivers up my spine. “You look so fuckin’ beautiful in the sun.”
I flush, and then cover it with a snort. “Come on now, don’t start getting soft on me.”
The grin he throws in my direction is devilish.
“How’re you feelin’ about all this?”
“You sound like Ruger,” I sigh, but offer a small smile. “I’m scared as hell, but ready.”
“We’ll make sure none of this comes back on you.”
“What about you?” I say, meeting his gaze. “You’re already on everyone’s radar for what you did to get Ruger out...”
He leans down, his lips brushing mine, so lightly I almost wonder if I imagined it. “Trust me, baby. All is good. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“You talked the law, that doesn’t come without consequences. Even I know that.”
“Club’s got my back, and unless someone squeals, I’m good. You gotta trust me.”
I hold my breath, then let it go slowly. “Okay.”
“Come on, let’s get this done.”
I follow him inside and join the rest of them. I take inventory with a list Zane gave me, Mera and Nia string cable along the rafters, Sable and Kael mixing up a batch of something so caustic my eyes burn from twenty feet away. Wolfe is sitting on an overturned bucket with a clipboard, scowling at his own handwriting. Knox is having a deep conversation with Talon.
It’s all happening.
After a couple of hours, I have to make the call to Ralston. Everything is ready now, and I have to play my part. Knox is by my side as I pull out my phone and dial Ralston’s number. I have to be cool, calm, and collected, because he can’t sense a single difference in me or this will blow up before it, well, actually blows up.
The phone rings twice before Ralston picks up. “Well, this is a surprise.” He sounds amused.
“I need to talk to you. Can you meet me?”
My voice is clipped, but considering that is how I always talk to Ralston, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“What a cold reception,” he tuts. “I thought we were friends.”
“Do you want to meet me and hear what I have to talk to you about, or not?” I grind out.
I hear a long, deliberate inhale. “Tell me when and where.”
“Alley beside the thrift store in town. Twenty minutes.”
He chuckles. “I do need a new coat.”
I want to punch him.
“Twenty minutes.” I snap, hanging up.
I shove the phone into my pocket and turn towards Knox. He doesn’t say anything—doesn’t have to. He just wraps a hand around the back of my neck and tugs me in, his mouth finding mine in two seconds flat. It’s a fast, angry kiss.
“You got this,” he murmurs when he pulls away.
Yeah, I do.
I get myself cleaned up, and then with one last glance at the club, I get in my car and drive into town. I have to make sure I am my usual sassy, pissed-off self so he doesn’t suspect anything.
