Page 16 of Love’s Decree

I watched Aasim’s expression change. His jaw clenched as he cracked his knuckles. I got up from the couch and poured him a shot of whiskey. He took the glass from me and threw the drink back.

“Do you know if they have anything on us?”

“It doesn’t sound like it yet. This must have all transpired over the last week. We get referrals every day for potential clients. I wanted you to know so you don’t get caught up in anything.”

“I appreciate that. That twenty I gave you came in clutch, huh?” he teased.

“I was serious when I said you could trust me. It wouldn’t benefit me to keep this information from you. Please take the info and do what you will. I’m risking a lot by telling you. There was no way I could keep this to myself. Just please be safe.”

Aasim leaned over and kissed my lips. “I’ll be safe. I promise. I appreciate you looking out. Whatever happens, it’ll never come back to you.”

10

AASIM

Rory caught me off guard with her information about Kurt. A snitch within our camp was bad for business. The club being on the cops’ radar was bad for business. I was too close to leaving the game for anything to stop me.

“Is that the only reason you’re so stressed?” I asked.

Rory looked down, which shocked me because she was avoiding eye contact. Since meeting her, I’d only known her to be confident. Whatever bothered her must’ve been bad.

She let out a deep sigh. “The day we met, a courier approached me at the courthouse and gave me a package. Inside was a bouquet of twelve black roses with a note attached. It shook me up, but I chalked it up as a one-time thing until today.”

“What happened today?”

“Another delivery. This time, it came to my office. Same black roses with a different note. Someone is sending me subtle threats. I don’t know who it is or why they’re doing it. Now it’s freaking me out. It feels like someone is watching me.”

The worried expression on her pretty face made my blood boil. There was no way I’d let anything happen to her. “What are the notes saying?”

“The notes are threats. The first one sounded like a disgruntled client, while the note from today said something about my time being up. Both messages were vague and could be from anybody. I don’t want to be a burden to you, but I’m scared. I went through hours of case files and came up empty. I’m sure it’s a former client, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around which one.”

I watched Rory rub the glass in her hand. My first instinct was to tell her to pack up and come stay with me. I had to think of a way to keep her safe without interrupting her day-to-day life. She had clients depending on her.

“You’re not a burden. Now that you’ve told me, I’ll do whatever I need to protect you. I can send two dudes from the crew to hang out around your office while you’re at work. They can follow you to and from.”

“You don’t think that’s too much? I mean, I carry my gun everywhere except the courthouse.”

“That’s cool, but an extra set of eyes on you, I trust, won’t hurt. Keep your gun with you. Make sure you keep a bullet in the chamber just in case too.”

“I’ll do that. Thank you,” she said with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

“You don’t need to thank me. I got you like you got me. You’re always safe with me, sweetheart.” I placed a few pecks on her lips.

Dobbs and Curry took care of Alexis when Wolf needed them. I would have them look out for Rory.

“Go change. We need to go to the clubhouse so you can meet the crew.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“You’re with me, Rory. What happened to you going with the flow?” I asked.

She got up from the couch and went into her room to change. Ten minutes later, she was in a pair of jeans, a tank top, and a leather jacket. Rory walked over to the closet in the living room and grabbed a pair of leather boots.

“Look at you, trying to match my fly,” I teased.

She rolled her eyes at me, then opened the door. I followed her toward the elevator. Her building was only five floors, and she lived on the third. The first time I came, I scoped out all the exits. There was a concierge at the front desk, but they were useless if something popped off. Dobbs and Curry could each sit at an exit while she was here.

When we got to the lobby, I grabbed her hand as we walked out of the building. I expected her secretive ass to pull away. To my surprise, she gripped my hand tighter. The gesture made me smile. I walked her toward my Cadillac Escalade.