“Watching your love life is our hobby,” someone calls back.
“Told you.” Will leans in with a crooked smile. “This place might riot if she doesn’t make another appearance soon.”
JT steps out from the back, hoodie slung low, phone in hand, face grim. His eyes cut straight to me.
I know that look.
I move out from behind the bar, wiping my hands down my jeans as I follow him toward the stockroom. It’s quieter here, but only just. JT slides his phone into his pocket, arms folded, jaw clenched.
“What is it?”
He leans against the shelf. “Stauder’s sniffing. Not the cops—yet. But there’s pressure. Someone in Brandon Dillinger’s circle started asking questions about that Friday he was here.”
My spine goes tight.
“He was nothing but a fucking problem,” I say. “And a rapist.”
I drag a hand down my face, making sense of the pressure. I think out loud, “But Ned only cares about profit. If Dillinger helped launder money through Stauder’s shell companies and is now missing, their dirty money flow has gotten sticky.”
JT nods. “Exactly. And I’ve got eyes on Ned. He’s pissed. Texts between him and one of his guys say he suspects you had something to do with it. He’s not dumb.”
“But he doesn’t have proof.” I cross my arms, mind already spinning. “Cameras were down. Alibi’s solid.”
“But Stauder’s boys are getting twitchy,” JT points out. “You know they don’t care about proof.”
Will joins us, wiping his hands on his ever-trusty rag. “So what’s the play?”
I exhale with force. “This is the worst time to leave. But I’m not going far. If anything shifts—if anyone from Stauder’s crew so much as breathes near this bar—I want to know.”
“We got it,” Will says without hesitation.
“I mean it,” I say, tone hardening. “You see someone shady? You don’t wait. You call me. I’ll come back.”
JT raises a brow. “You sure about going?”
“No,” I say honestly. “But I gave her my word. She needs a break. She needs to feel safe. And after what Ashley did to her shop… this weekend isn’t optional.”
Will gives a rare, serious nod. “She’s good for you, man.”
JT smirks. “Yeah, she might actually help you sleep with both eyes closed.”
I crack my knuckles and grab the duffel I left in the office. It’s not packed light. I’ve got extra clothes, my Glock, the backup piece, burner phone, and enough cash to disappear if anything were to go sideways while away.
Sable doesn’t need to know that possibility exists. Not yet.
I take one last look around the bar. The regulars are loud, laughing, a couple of them dancing near the jukebox. Business as usual. Exactly what I want.
“You good?” JT asks as I start for the door.
“I’ve got something to protect,” I say without hesitation.
He grins. “Then go protect her. We’ll handle it here.”
I pause, turn. “And if Ned’s people make a move?”
JT’s face goes hard. “We move faster.”
Good.
