“Hold that thought,” I say, giving her another quick kiss before picking up. “Hey, man. What’s up?”
“Got some news.” Dylan’s usual playful voice sounds clipped and hurried. “The burner phone? It’s on the move again. Just pinged in northern California.”
My stomach drops. “You’re sure?”
“Positive. Looks like it could be heading your way, but its trajectory has been kind of weird.”
“How so?”
“One day it’s on the move, then it’ll stop for a couple of days before moving on again. Usually a couple hundred miles at a time. I mean, it’s still heading north, but...” He sighs. “It might be headed your way; it might not. Based on how its signal has been bouncing all over the place, there’s no way to know for sure. Still… better safe than sorry.”
“Shit.” I glance over at Sasha, who’s watching me closely with a look of concern. “Okay. Thanks for the heads-up. I’m gonna call Ryder. He’s got some friends he offered to reach out to for backup, just in case.”
“Sounds like a great idea. I’ll text you and let you know if it gets any closer to Lakeside.”
“Thanks, man.”
After hanging up, I immediately call Ryder, heart racing as I study Sasha, who gives me a questioning look.
I hold up a finger.
When Ryder picks up on the second ring, I put the phone on speaker.
“Jax. What’s up?”
“Dylan just called. That burner phone is on the move again and it’s getting close.” I run my hand over my hair, pacing the living room. “And the fucking festival is tomorrow.”
“Shit,” he mutters. “Definitely not the best timing.”
“Yeah, no kidding. Sasha’s got those yoga demos all day. And we’re gonna be busy at the dunk tank.” My voice drops a little as I glance over at her. Scooping eggs onto the plates, she’s hanging on every word. “I’m worried these guys could blend right in with the crowds.”
“Actually,” Ryder says thoughtfully. “If it is them and they do show up? With that many people around, it’d be stupid for them to try anything.”
“You think?”
“Yeah. Public place, hundreds of witnesses. They’d have to be complete idiots to make any kind of move.” Ryder’s tone turns serious. “Also, I’ve already cashed in on the favor from my Marine buddies. I’ve got three of them who are coming up for the weekend.”
Tension eases from my shoulders. “You already called them? When?”
“After our conversation last week. They’ll be here tonight.”
Relief washes over me as I lean against the counter. “Fuck, man. I could kiss you right now.”
“Save it for your girl,” Ryder laughs. “Look, we’ll make sure Sasha’s covered. One of my guys can hang around during her classes, just to keep an eye out. No one will even notice he’s there. And I assume she’ll be hanging out with one or more of the girls at any given time throughout the day.”
I glance at Sasha and pop a brow. She nods her head.
“Yeah. Okay.” Relieved we’re getting some backup, I let out a long, slow breath.
“I’ll make sure to let Noia know she’ll be hanging out with Sasha all day.”
“Thanks, man. Talk to you later.”
Sasha sets our plates on the table and slides into the chair kitty-corner from me. Her face is calm, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.
Setting my phone aside, I take her hand in mine. “Hey,” I say softly. “We’ve got this.”
The small smile she gives me doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know. It’s just... I can’t believe all this is happening. It’s not so much that I’m scared. It’s…” She sighs. “We just got the soft opening out of the way, and the studio’s grand opening is next week. But instead of focusing on that, I’ll have to be on the lookout for a couple of thugs.”
