Page 9 of Ghost

Gavin nodded. “And they only got part of what had been prepared for removal.”

“Whatever they took is too damn much,” Dad grumbled.

Considering what we stored in that warehouse, that was an understatement.

“Situation is under control here.” Stryker tilted his head toward a group of Black Crowns waiting to our left. “Need to head over there now.”

The Black Crowns’ arrival was the only reason they had not cleaned the place out. We owed them a debt of gratitude, but that didn’t mean I was just going to sit idly by while they handled everything. Even if I hadn’t grown up knowing the company would be mine one day, I’d be invested in this because my name was all over the paperwork of the event that the thieves had used.

“I’m going.”

I was gearing up for an argument when Gavin murmured, “We will.”

“Good.” I flashed him a smile that quickly died at his next words.

“After I clear it.”

My eyes narrowed. “I need to tell you what belongs there.”

“You will.” He smirked. “Eventually.”

Equally irritated at his reply and how much his smile affected me, I huffed out a breath. “You’re doing that unreasonable thing again.”

“I never stopped, pretty girl.”

My mother made a small sound that might have been a swallowed laugh, but I refused to look at either of my parents while my cheeks were burning. They let me get away with my avoidance until we got in the car.

There were motorcycles in front, behind, and on either side of us. But with the windows rolled up, none of the Black Crowns could hear our conversation, and my mom took advantage of that.

Twisting in the passenger seat, she grinned at me. “Did I detect some sparks flying between you and Ghost?”

“Really, Mom?” I shook my head with a sigh. “We’re in the middle of a scary situation, and you want to talk about my dating life?”

“Aha, so you admit you’re interested in him,” she crowed.

I shook my head. “I did no such thing.”

“The lady doth protest too much,” Dad teased, tightening his grip on the wheel as he carefully made a right turn.

I slouched in my seat and rolled my eyes. “I honestly don’t know what to do with you guys.”

“Just love us.” Mom turned back around and patted my dad’s thigh. “Because we’re awesome.”

“Very much so,” he agreed.

“And so is our daughter.” Mom did a little dance in her seat. “Which Ghost definitely noticed.”

“He must’ve since he called you ‘pretty girl’ right in front of me.” Dad met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Bold of him, but I’m not surprised, considering he’s a Black Crown.”

“Just as I was starting to think our baby girl would never meet someone who’d catch her eye…”

My mom let that thought trail off, probably hoping I’d fill the void. But I just sighed and looked out the passenger window at the motorcycle to our right. The rider flashed me a familiar grin, and I realized it was Gavin. Although there was no chance he knew we’d been talking about him, my cheeks heated anyway.

I was worried about what we’d find at the warehouse, but I was relieved when the loading area came into view, already lit and secured.

My dad let out a low whistle. “The Black Crowns have a reputation for not messing around, but I never expected to see them in action for myself.”

There were plenty of rumors around Sable Canyon about the local motorcycle club, but I’d never paid them much attention. Now I wished I had… I had… and not just because we needed their help.