“What did he say?”
“He’s pissed,” I said honestly. “And he’s sending help to board up the window and stand watch here.”
Her eyes widened. “They’re coming here?”
“Cookie and Blaze,” I said. “They’ll handle the shop. We’re not staying.”
Her mouth opened like she wanted to argue.
I didn’t let her.
“You’re going home,” I said.
Her brows drew together. “Asher—”
“Juliet,” I said, keeping my voice firm but not sharp. “This is not me trying to control you. This is me being clear. That window is broken. The street is exposed. And I’m not leaving you in a place that just got hit. I’m not leaving you.”
She stared at me for a long moment, then exhaled slowly. “Okay.”
The word was quiet, but it carried a choice.
I stepped closer again, touching her shoulder. “I’m staying with you tonight.”
Her lashes fluttered. “You don’t have to.”
“I know,” I said. “I’m doing it anyway.”
Something in her expression softened, the fear still there but layered now with something else. Relief. Maybe a little disbelief.
We heard engines outside a few minutes later.
Blaze and Cookie. They parked in front of the shop.
Cookie stood on the other side of the shattered window. “Jesus.”
Blaze’s jaw tightened as he looked at the damage. “You two good?”
Juliet nodded, voice small. “Yeah.”
“We’re good, man. She’s just shaken up.”
Cookie’s gaze flicked to me, then to Juliet again, softer this time. “We’ll handle it. You’re safe.”
Blaze moved toward the broken window, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll grab plywood.”
Cookie nodded at me. “Moore wants you out of here.”
“I know. I’m taking her home after the cops,” I said.
Cookie’s grin was humorless. “Good. Because if you don’t, I’ll drag you.”
Juliet let out a shaky laugh that sounded more like a breath than humor, but it was something. A crack in the fear.
We waited for the police in the back of the shop, away from the broken glass. Juliet sat with her hands wrapped around a cup of water I’d poured for her. I stood close enough that she could lean into me if she needed.
When the officers arrived, I walked them through what I saw: two bikes, patch silhouettes, brick thrown, direction they fled. Juliet answered questions too, voice steadier than I expected.
That strength in her never surprised me anymore.
