“What?”
Chapter Five
John
“I have some questions myself, Trigger.” I held my phone to my ear as I moved to the window and looked down at the lake. It had been one week since Sloane arrived at the house, and I might have seen her twice. Frank had sent some boxes down to her, and she’d been quiet ever since. I knew she was alive only because the girls had been bringing her food and checking in, and whenever I asked how she was doing, they’d simply say she was busy. I knew I was being cold and edgy when she was around, but that was because I couldn’t figure out why she drew all these new feelings out of me. Feelings I didn’t deserve to feel. I knew I shouldn’t be interested, but…I rubbed my head, frustrated. I hated that a woman got inside my head. Not to mention my dog seemed to have totally fallen for her. But along with the excitement of an interesting woman came the acid in my stomach. Happiness just didn’t sit very well inside me anymore.
“Because you helped get my VP out of that shit hole,” Trigger broke the storm in my head, “I’ll agree to chat. But, ah, some shit has been brewing, so you gotta come here or we can call again.”
“All right, but I need to know why Brick was there. Can you tell me that much?”
There was a long measure of silence before he cleared his throat like he was annoyed.
“He was following up on a personal lead but also trailing the president of the Stripe Backs. Guess he’s stepping down, and the rumor is his nephew Caleb may take over. We’re trying to learn what they’re up to since that surfaced, and our new guest in Hawaii has made his mark. Think it’s best to watch all that want to take us down. Since Brick was already heading that way, I got him to tail the president, but shit went down, and that’s when he ran into you.”
“What was the personal lead?” I knew I was digging too far, but I needed answers to rule out Brick.
“Nothing that concerns Blackstone.”
“Fair enough. I appreciate the time.”
“Yeah.” The phone went dead.
“All right, bye,” I said to no one. He always was a guy of few words.
I changed into my camo pants and t-shirt and headed down to where the guys were training. I raced to catch up. I hated to show up late, but Cole knew I needed to make some calls. We were all a little extra forgiving lately with the present situation.
Three of North Rock’s members were still in the hospital, one in critical condition. We all waited, desperate for intel to come back on who had messed with the team and killed our guy. We were waiting for the call to ship out to even the score. It was painful not to just go, but we had our orders, and no matter what, we had to obey them.
I turned my ball hat around, so the peak covered my neck, and flipped the hundred and thirty-pound farm tire over and over again across the property. The effort felt good.
“Again,” Daniel yelled, and we switched directions and repeated the same actions again. My muscles screamed, and I welcomed the burn that spread through my body.
“So,” Mark grunted as he neared the finish line, “the lawyer is hot.”
“Yeah.” I lifted the chains over my shoulders, curled my fingers under the rubber lip, and stood with the tire around my waist then started the Farmer’s Walk move.
“You should take her to dinner at Zack’s.”
“I don’t think she’s totally single.” I reminded him of the dinner when the words it’s complicated were used.
“‘It’s complicated’ is very different than ‘I’m seeing someone.’”
“City and country don’t mix.”
“That was my excuse,” Cole chimed in while a vein popped out on his neck. “Now look.”
I dropped the tire, wiggled my arms to get the blood moving again, and dumped my water over my head. It instantly cooled in the chilly air.
“Savannah was an exception to the rule,” I pointed out. “She didn’t have a city life to go back to.”
“Stop hiding and date,” Cole muttered.
“I’m not—” I stopped when Mark elbowed Cole, and they both grinned at me.
“What?”
“Afternoon, Sloane.” Mark waved, and I glanced over my shoulder to see her jogging up the property in yoga pants and a zip-up sweater, and right by her side was the friggin’ traitor. I supposed I couldn’t blame him. She looked damned gorgeous.
She removed her earphones and slowed her pace. “Hey, guys.” Her cheeks were pink from her workout. “Beautiful day.”
“It is.” Cole shaded his eyes to see his father coming in our direction.
Tripper bolted for me, and like the crazy pup he was, he leapt into my arms. “Oh, you do remember me?” His long tongue started to lick my face all over.
“Sorry.” Sloane tried to hide her amusement. “I brought him up to the house three nights ago, but he wouldn’t stay there.”
“Smarter dog than some I know,” Mark whispered at me with a grin. “Hey, Tripper, wasn’t that you who took down that big guy on a drug bust last year?” Mark shook his head at Cole. “Now look at you, buddy.” Tripper wagged his tail furiously when he heard his name, then suddenly tuned in to Daniel and wiggled to get free.
“Hey, boy.” Daniel gave him a pat on the head. “Sloane, I wanted to ask, has Henry made contact with you at all this past week?”
Her face fell, and she wrapped her arms around her midsection. “Once, yes.”
“Did you let Frank know?”
“I meant to. I just fell down a rabbit hole and guess I forgot.”
Daniel glanced at Cole before he spoke again. “Did he seem any different?”
“Different how?”
“Agitated?”
She thought for a moment. “A little, but I didn’t think anything of it. They’re always intense and know no boundaries.”
“Boundaries?” Daniel questioned.
“It’s nothing. Henry was just outside my place the other day. He’s watching for when I come home. Claimed he had more evidence for me to look over.”
Daniel pulled out his phone and excused himself.
“Cole, it’s really nothing.” She turned to him. “This whole thing has been blown way out of proportion.”
“Maybe,” he shrugged, “but if Frank brought you here, my guess is it isn’t.”
Her hands rubbed her shoulders like she was cold, but I knew it was nerves. I really wished I knew what was going on.
“You mentioned you fell down a rabbit hole.” I jumped in. “Did you find something?”
“Um, maybe?” Her face scrunched up. “I came out for a jog to clear my head before I dove in any further.”
“John is off for the rest of the afternoon if you need any help.” Mark grinned.
So subtle.
“Thanks,” she smiled back, “but I think I could use one more run before my mind will let me work again.”
“Have you been up the mountain yet?” Mark asked.
“No, not yet.”
“Well, that’s John’s second home. Maybe he can show you?”