I take her chin in my hand and lift her face to mine. “I need to go.”
She pouts, but her turquoise eyes are sparkling with happiness. “Okay.”
“See you tonight?” I ask, tucking some wayward hairs behind her ear.
With a hint of hesitation, she bites her lip and nods in agreement. I run my thumb over her lip, feeling the softness as I pull it away from her teeth before taking another kiss. Her gaze stirs something within me that I have been trying to ignore—a yearning for something I thought was impossible.
With a groan, I pull away and climb out of the bed before I decide to stay there all day. I quickly dress and grab my phone, seeing I have a missed call from Sander. I really need to call him back before he shows up here to see if I’m alive.
Salena follows me to the door and wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a kiss. The moment her lips meet mine, I want to drag her back to bed.
I step away and open the door, stepping aside for Ghost to stroll in. One step out the door, and I immediately know something’s wrong. I hold my hand up, halting Salena in the doorway. I scan the area and don’t immediately see anything wrong, but Salena gasps and rushes past me and down the stairs in nothing but a night shirt which only just covers her ass. I try grabbing her, but she’s quicker.
I follow her down the stairs to the side door of the bar where the wordsYou will payare written in red.
The blood drains from Salena’s face as she stares at the door, her face whips around to stare into the woods, a low growl rumbling up her throat. With a furrowed brow, I cast my gaze toward the woods and find nothing.
“Salena, who is doing this? It’s the second time–”
“Third,” she says, cutting me off.
I grip her arm, spinning her to face me. “You serious?”
She runs a hand through her silver hair and sighs, “Yes, I had someone sabotage my car a couple of weeks ago.”
Fury whips through me. “Why didn’t you say something? Report it?”
Salena shrugs, her teeth biting down on her lip.
“Was it that guy you kicked out?” I demand.
“Reaper? No, he wouldn’t do something like this.”
“I’m calling it in.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “What? No.”
She puts her hand on my arm, and I look up from my phone and pin her with a glare. “No, Salena. This needs to be reported. Someone is clearly targeting you. Go get some pants on and I’ll call it in. We need to get a report done.”
She looks like she’s going to argue, but I place my hands on her shoulders and squeeze. “Please.”
Her eyes soften a fraction, and she nods before leaning in and placing a kiss on my scarred cheek. Then she jogs around the corner to her stairs.
I hit speed dial, and Mack answers the phone. “Mack, I need some officers down at Crescent Moon Bar. There have been some vandalizing and threats made against the owner.”
“Okay, sure I’ll send some officers now.”
“Thanks, Mack.”
I hang up and look around the area. There isn’t much on this side of the building, just an access road for deliveries and then the woods. I’ll be talking to Salena about getting security cameras installed. I don’t like how secluded this place is.
Salena comes around the building. She’s put on some black leggings, but left her night shirt on. I can't help but stare at her stunning, effortless beauty and those unique eyes, which seem to have a hypnotic effect on me.
I want to pull her into my arms, but a police cruiser pulls in the parking lot. Salena comes to a stop beside me, and we watch as Milo and Kallie get out of the car. I suppress my groan at seeing the young lieutenant. Her eyes bounce between me and Salena, and I know she’s adding up in her head the time and our casual dress.
I also notice the stiffening of Salena’s shoulders as the two approach. Milo's face is friendly and concerned as he takes in the door behind us and holds out his hand for Salena.
“Miss Cartwright?”
