Jane’s words played over in her head again…and suddenly, all she wanted to do was run.
The second the women left,the gym felt too quiet. But then, whenever Bonnie left any space, it felt too quiet to Zane, even if the place was filled with people.
Over the last week, a need had grown inside him. A need to be close to her at all times. To touch her and hear her voice.
Until yesterday. Until he’d seen the missed call on his phone.
“You really like her, don’t you?”
Zane shifted his gaze to Stetson. “Yeah, I do.” So why the fuck hadn’t he told her about the missed call? History had proven that secrets did more harm than good.
But fuck, what was he supposed to say? That Monty was planning something? That he’d called from prison? What the hell would any of that achieve other than scaring her?
“You two make a good couple,” Stetson said. “I was only a kid when she dated my cousin, but I still remember thinking that hedidn’t treat her well. Then the way my family turned on her after Dean died…I never liked it.”
“I know you’re not like them.”
“Good. I mean, Damien’s not too bad. Maybe a bit of an overachieving prick, but that’s probably because he grew up with money. I like her, by the way.”
“Most people who get to know her do.” He checked his watch. “You can go if you want.”
“Really? I still have half an hour on my shift.”
“Go. Have an early one.”
“This is why you’re my favorite boss.”
His lips twitched. “I’m your only boss.”
Once Stetson was gone, Zane picked up the last of the gloves from the floor and chucked them into the equipment box. He’d just stepped into his office when his phone rang, that unknown number on his cell again.
Something dark curled in his stomach. It was the same number as yesterday. And he knew exactly who it was.
He gritted his teeth before answering. “Hello?”
“You’re receiving a call from Monty Cruz, an inmate at Montana State Prison. This call is subject to monitoring and recording. To accept, press three. To decline, hang up.”
And there it was…the confirmation he hadn’t wanted.
He closed his eyes, ice slipping into his veins. For a moment, he considered hanging up. But there was a reason Monty was trying to reach him. And fuck, he needed to know what it was.
He hit three, his fingers tight around the cell as he pressed it back to his ear.
There was a small pause before Monty spoke. “Hey, cousin.”
The full-body reaction was immediate. The tensing of his muscles. The roaring of blood between his ears. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Aw, I miss you too.”
“Monty.” There was warning in his voice.
“I’m just checking in. How are you doing? You know, with all that freedom you have? All that money you made from the UFC? The money you wouldn’t have made withoutme? You enjoying your life in Amber Ridge?”
It shouldn’t surprise Zane that Monty knew where he was. The guy had his own money. Resources. Exactly why Zane had been watching his back. Yet it still felt like a kick in the gut. “It’s moneyIearned inmyfights. And freedom I’m entitled to—unlike you. Now what do you really want?”
“Yeah, you’re right. You’ve earned everything you have. And everything still to come. I’m glad you’re happy in your new town…developing new friendships. Newrelationships.”
A cold weight dropped into his stomach. Did he know about Bonnie? If he knew about Amber Ridge, it wasn’t that big of a stretch.
