Relaxing into me, her voice is muffled as she presses her forehead against my chest. “I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”
“The last thing you’ll ever be is an inconvenience,” I croon, rubbing small circles on her back. I can feel her heart thudding in time with mine. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
After a long moment, she sighs and pulls back just enough to look up at me. “Fine. But just until your friend figures this out.”
Relief floods through my veins. “Good. That’s… good.”
“I need to tell Noia what’s going on,” she says, glancingtoward the door. “As soon as she sees me, she’ll take one look at my face and freak.”
“I need to get to work anyway. I’ve got appointments all afternoon.” I check my watch, wincing when I realize how late I’m running. “Fuck. Ryder’s gonna kill me.”
“Would you mind telling Noia to come in here on your way out?” she asks, stepping out of my arms. “I don’t want anyone else overhearing this conversation.”
“Sure thing.” I give her shoulders a gentle squeeze, then drop a quick kiss on the top of her head. “It’s gonna be okay.”
thirty-five
Less than a minuteafter Jax leaves, Noia bursts into my office, face tight with concern.
“What the hell is going on?” Her eyes scan my face. “Shit, Sash. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I sink back into my chair, gesturing for her to close the door. “You might want to sit down for this.”
She perches on the edge of my desk. “Spill.”
“Remember what I told you about the blackmail?” Noia nods, and I take a deep breath. “Well, Jax’s hacker friend found out that the people Ryan owes money to aren’t just loan sharks—they’re connected to a Vegas crime family called the Triple Six.”
Noia’s mouth drops open. “As in the freakin’mafia?”
Stomach churning, I nod. The smile I try to give her feels more like a grimace. “That’s not even the worst part. Dylan found emails showing Ryan’s been in contact with them for almost a year. The burner phone he’s been tracing pinged in California. Jax thinks it’s possible their goons could try to come here.”
“What?” She jumps up. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I wish I were.” I rub my temples as a headache starts toform. “Apparently Ryan’s connection to them predates all the HR issues.”
Pacing the office, Noia gestures wildly. “So… what? He’s been planning something with them all this time? Using his shares of Summit as collateral or some shit?”
“We don’t know for sure. Dylan’s still digging. But based on everything we know so far, it would make sense.”
She stops suddenly, turning to face me. “You can’t stay at your place alone. Pack a bag and come stay with me and Ryder.”
“I appreciate that, but I can’t.” I shake my head firmly. “Jax offered me the option to stay with him until this blows over, and I agreed.”
“Oh, I bet he did.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, a little smirk twitches at her lips.
“It’s not like that,” I protest, my traitorous cheeks warming. “He’s just concerned for my safety. And besides, if these people really are as dangerous as he says, I’m not going to put you and Ryder at risk too.”
Her face softens. “Sasha, you know we’d do anything?—”
“I know,” I sigh. “If these Triple Six guys do come here looking for me, I’m not dragging my best friend and her boyfriend into the crossfire. Jax’s place is set up with a high-tech security system, so if they come for me, we’ll know.”
Her shoulders slump in defeat. “Fine. But I’m checking in with you every few hours, and if you don’t respond within five minutes, I’m calling the cops.”
“How about once a day, during the day, and you have a deal.”
The look she gives me is resigned. “Deal.”
I give her a soft smile. “Look, we should get back to work. The soft opening is in three days, and I refuse to let the issue with Ryan ruin this for me.”
