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“I told you she’d be back.” The other man had a scorpion tattooed on the back of his hand, along with a bunch of other black ink. Symbols and letters that made no sense to her. Maybe gang or prison related.

She took a step back, getting ready to run, but Ace lifted his gun, pointing it at her. “I wouldn’t if I were you. Come over here and have a seat.”

Yeah, no thanks. “I have money in my purse. Take it and go.”

“We’re not interested in money,” Scorpion stated, his dark gaze sliding down her body. Her stomach roiled and she took another step back.

Ace tossed Scorpion a warning look. “We’re looking for your ex-husband.”

Summer’s heart sank. Fucking Scott. Once again, his trouble was landing at her feet. Sadly, she wasn’t surprised to see he’d gotten caught up with a bunch of gangsters.

“Just tell us where he is, and we’ll leave.”

“Last I knew, he was in Las Vegas,” Summer said, her eyes looking for the closest object she could grab and use as a weapon. “I haven’t seen my ex-husband in three years.”

“Yeah? Well, we need you to call him. Right now,” Scorpion ordered. “You got his number, right?”

She hesitated, pressing her lips together.

“You better have it,” Ace added, taking a threatening step forward.

“My phone is in my purse.” She hiked a thumb over her shoulder. It was probably best if she cooperated. For now, anyway.

“Then let’s go get it. Slowly,” Ace warned.

Doing her best not to panic, Summer turned, walked back to the table in the hallway and picked up her purse. Very carefully, she reached inside and found her phone. Her fingers also brushed against the small can of pepper spray she kept for situations just like this. She’d never had to use it, but a small measure of relief filled her at its presence. If either of them came any closer, she wouldn’t hesitate to blast it in their faces.

But first, she had to call her useless ex. Anger rippled through her. What the hell had Scott gotten involved in now? She didn’t owe him anything, and she certainly didn’t want to get dragged down into his never-ending shit.

“Put it on speaker. And if you try anything stupid, you’re not going to like what happens,” Ace threatened.

Gritting her teeth, Summer did as he ordered. The call connected and it began to ring. And ring. And ring, until finally dropping into voicemail. “Hey, it’s Scott. You know what to do.” A beep sounded.

Ace frowned. “Try again.”

Summer hung up and called again…with the same result.

“Fucker’s dodging us,” Scorpion hissed.

As the two men exchanged a look and briefly conferred, Summer discreetly reached back into her purse, wrapping her fingers around the pepper spray. It was no match for a gun, but at least it was something. A distraction while she ran for her life.

“We’ll be back,” Ace said, clearly annoyed. “Let your ex know we’re looking for him. We have unfinished business to take care of. You hear me?”

Summer nodded, a cold sweat trickling between her breasts. At the same time, Flossie appeared from around the corner. “Floss!” The dog ran over and leaped into her arms. Relief swept through Summer as she cuddled the dog against her chest.

Scorpion paused, eyeing Flossie a little too closely, and she hugged her tighter. Dread pierced through Summer when his thin lips curled up in a taunting smile. “Cute pup. Sure wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her. See you soon…Summer.”

Frozen in fear, all Summer could do was clutch Flossie like a lifeline as the two men strolled past her and walked out the front door. Once they were gone, she ran over and locked it. A lot of good that had done earlier, though. Shaking, she gripped Flossie hard as tears threatened.

“Goddammit, Scott. What have you done now?” she whisper-hissed. Her fucking ex was going to be the death of her. Literally, if she didn’t get in touch with him and find out where he was hiding. What kind of unfinished business did they have? She shuddered. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. Scott was clearly in trouble. Again.

Dropping her purse, she kept Flossie close to her chest, still hanging on to the pepper spray as she checked all the doors and windows on the first floor. When she reached the sliding glass door, she saw it was unlocked and slightly open. Jerking it shut, she flipped the latch then leaned down and wedged the board into the track. Normally she only put it in at night, but that was changing.

Summer kissed Flossie, gave her some treats then grabbed her phone and tried calling Scott again. No answer.

Anger pounded through her veins as she waited for his voicemail to beep. “Scott, it’s Summer. Two men broke into my house and threatened me. I don’t know what the hell kind of shady shit you’ve gotten yourself into this time, but I had guns in my face. Guns! They said they’re coming back and—” Her voice caught because she was fucking scared. “Call me,” she snapped, then disconnected the call.

Looking around her, knowing her private space had been invaded, Summer realized there was no way she could sleep there tonight and feel safe. They said they’d return and panic curled in her gut. What if they came back sooner than she expected? What if she was asleep in bed and woke up to see them standing over her? What if they hurt Flossie?