Especially not now that he’s made me lose my appetite.
I start up the engine again and head home.
When I get inside The Hollow, I slam the door behind me, the sound cutting through the air, sharp and commanding.
Finn’s there at the bar, cleaning glasses because he’s got nothing else on his mind. Zane’s in the back, making sure everything’s in order. They both look up as I walk in, but Finn’s grin falters when he sees my expression.
“What’s up?” he asks, leaning back against the bar, eyes narrowing.
I don’t waste time with small talk. “Cole Varga’s outside. He’s watching us.”
Zane steps out from the back, his face immediately hardening at the mention of Varga’s name. “What’s he want?”
I shake my head, my eyes narrowing. “He’s testing us. Watching. Waiting for the right moment to strike.”
Finn doesn’t seem fazed. He’s got a confidence about him that’s almost infectious, but I don’t trust it when it comes to Cole Varga.
“I’ll be fine,” Finn says, trying to play it off. “What’s the worst he could do? I’ll talk to him.”
I cut him off with a sharp look. “No. You’re not going anywhere near him. Not until we know what he’s after.”
Zane steps up beside me, his eyes never leaving the door. “He’s dangerous, Ryder. You think he’ll back down if we wait him out?”
I consider it. The answer is simple. No.
“Cole doesn’t do backdowns,” I mutter. “He plays the long game. We double the security. Make sure no one gets close to The Hollow. We watch every car, every footstep. No one gets in unless they’ve got a reason.”
Zane nods without hesitation. He knows the drill. “I’ll take care of it.”
I turn to Finn, his expression still closed off, but his demeanor has shifted. The easy charm is gone, replaced with a guarded look in his eyes. “I want you on lookout,” I say to him. “Not a word to anyone about Cole. Keep it quiet for now.”
Finn doesn’t argue, but there’s a flicker in his gaze that tells me he’s not pleased. “Got it.” Zane heads out to check the perimeter, and Finn sets about doing what Finn does best: trying to mask the tension with humor.
“You sure you don’t want me to go chat with Varga? I can talk circles around that guy. Probably get him to buy me a drink and spill his guts.”
His usual smirk is on display, but it’s hard to miss the hardness in his eyes. The joke doesn’t land, and we all know it.
“Not a chance,” I reply. “Cole’s not here for a drink. He’s here for leverage.”
Finn’s grin fades a little, but he doesn’t push it. We all know what that means. Leverage, pressure, isolation. Those are his tactics, and I’ve seen them work before.
I don’t care what Varga thinks he’s going to do. I’ll make sure this ends on my terms.
For once, it’s not about making a move before the other guy does. It’s about making sure that when the time comes, Cole regrets ever thinking he could take this town from us.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Aurora
Eventually,I stop pretending this is quirky small town drama and start admitting it might be something else.
You know. The kind of “something else” that does not come with pie contests and lantern walks.
The Hollow feels different lately. Like it’s waiting for impact.
Zane checks the locks the way other people check the weather. Absentmindedly. Constantly. Finn still flirts with air molecules, but his eyes keep counting exits. Ryder doesn’t even pretend this is normal.
And I’m done being the girl who smiles and says,I’m sure it’s nothing.
