Page 40 of Spock’s Snare

Puma nods. “You don’t agree to anything today. Bring us your partnership agreement, financial records, and the Red Rock’s contract. We’ll have our lawyer review everything. If it works, we move quickly.”

Darby glances at Juliet before looking back at Puma. Some of the exhaustion has lifted from her face, replaced by cautious hope.

Puma’s gaze shifts to me, then Spock.

“We’ll take down Red Rock Construction and everyone working with them,” he says. “But understand this—whatever move we make, we protect Chloe.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: SPOCK

Puma’s promise settles over the room, easing some of the tension in my chest.

I don’t like Chloe being involved in our plan. Even if Spark and Juliet bury her identity behind shell companies and encrypted files, every connection creates a risk. Still, I know better than to speak for her.

Puma pushes back from the table. “Darby, get those documents together. Spark will give you a secure way to send everything. Until our lawyer reviews the partnership agreement and Red Rock’s contract, don’t tell your partners about our offer.”

Darby nods. “Understood.”

“Everyone else knows what they need to do.” Puma glances around the table. “We’ll meet again once we have the records. Until then, nobody makes a move against Red Rock or Canyon Crest without clearing it with me.”

Chairs scrape against the floor as everyone begins standing. Spark pulls Juliet and Darby aside. Avery slides off Dice’s lap, and the two of them move toward the kitchen with Alisa.

Chloe releases my hand and looks at the time on her phone.

“I need to get back to Inferno Ridge,” she says. “I want to check the progress before the crews start shutting down for the day.”

“I’ll drive you over.”

“It’s across the street. I can walk.”

“I know.”

Her lips twitch. “Spock, I can see my trailer from the clubhouse parking lot.”

“Then it’ll be a short ride.”

She laughs, the warm sound wrapping around me. “You want to drive me across the road?”

“It’s safer.”

She crosses her arms beneath her breasts, a move that momentarily distracts me from my argument. “That highway barely gets any traffic.”

“Barely isn’t the same as none.”

“I crossed it without incident before.”

“And now I’m available to give you a ride back.”

She studies me for a second. “You realize this makes absolutely no sense.”

“It makes perfect sense. You’re too important to risk.”

Her playful expression softens, and something warm flickers in her eyes. “You’re determined to get me on the back of your bike, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“You could just ask me to go for a ride.”

“I am asking.”