My hands start shaking before I even reach for it.
Shadow appears at my side instantly, taking the paper before I can.
He unfolds it, and I watch his jaw clench.
"What does it say?"
He shows me.
THREE DAYS. RETURN WHAT WAS STOLEN OR WE TAKE WHAT WE'RE OWED. - CK
The blood drains from my face. "Three days. They're giving us a deadline."
"Yeah." Shadow's voice is cold. Controlled. But I can see the rage simmering beneath. "They are."
"What does 'return what was stolen' mean?"
"The four million. Or you. Maybe both."
My knees go weak, and Shadow catches me, pulls me against his chest.
"Hey. Look at me." He tilts my face up. "I'm not letting anyone take you. You hear me?"
"What are we going to do?"
"I'm going to talk to Phantom. Tomorrow. Tell him about the threat." He pauses. "And about us."
The fear that spikes through me must show on my face because Shadow's expression softens.
"I know you're not ready. But we're out of time, darlin'. If the Copperhead Kings are coming for you, the club needs to know. Phantom needs to know."
I nod, even though everything in me is screaming to run.
To hide. To pretend this isn't happening.
"Tonight," Shadow says, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Tonight you're coming to my place. We'll deal with everything else tomorrow."
I follow Shadow's bike through the darkening evening, my truck loaded with an overnight bag and Charlie in the passenger seat.
My heart is pounding, and I don't know if it's fear or anticipation or both.
Shadow's cabin sits on the far edge of Sharp Shooter property, tucked into a grove of oak trees.
It's small—maybe a thousand square feet—but well-maintained.
The exterior is weathered wood, the porch neat and swept.
He waits while I park, then helps me with my bag.
Charlie hops out, immediately sniffing around the new territory.
"She's been here before?" I ask, watching my dog explore like she owns the place.
"A few times. When I was watching your place, I'd bring her over sometimes. Let her run." He opens the door. "She knows it's safe here."
I step inside and stop.
It's... not what I expected.
