Chapter 6 Kya
KYA
The lunch rush is finishing when the front door of the bar swings open.
Framed against the bright afternoon sunlight stands a man in a tailored suit that probably cost more than my monthly rent.
I’ve been back in Stoneheart long enough to know that well-fitted suits like that don’t walk into dive bars like mine unless they want something.
He scans the room, gaze landing on me behind the bar. The smile he offers as he approaches doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Afternoon,” I say, wiping my hands on a towel. “What can I get you?”
“I’m looking for the owner.” His voice is city smooth, and it immediately puts me on edge.
“You found her.”
His eyebrows lift slightly with surprise that he quickly masks. “Ms. Sullivan? David Crane.” He extends his hand across the bar. “I represent Summit Development. I was hoping we might have a quick chat?”
My stomach knots, but I keep my expression neutral as I shake his hand. “Sure. I’ve got a few minutes. Would you like a drink?”
“Just water, please.”
I slide a glass his way and nod toward the office behind the bar. “Follow me.”
As I lead him through, I feel the eyes of the few remaining customers on us. Word travels fast in small towns, and being seen with a Summit suit won’t go unnoticed.
My office—which is really just a glorified closet with a desk—isn’t much, but it’s private. I settle into my chair, gesturing for him to take the one across from me.
“What can I do for Summit Development, Mr. Crane?”
He sets his water down carefully, straightening his already straight tie. “I’ll be direct, Ms. Sullivan. My company is investing heavily in Stoneheart’s future. We’ve acquired several properties in this area, with plans for revitalization that will benefit the entire community.”
“How nice for you,” I say, keeping my tone pleasant.
If he catches my sarcasm, he doesn’t show it. “As part of our development strategy, we’re particularly interested in established businesses with potential for growth.” He slides a folder across my desk. “We’d like to make you an offer.”
I don’t touch the folder. “I’m not selling.”
“You haven’t even looked at the offer.”
“Don’t need to.”
His smile tightens. “Ms. Sullivan, I understand you only recently acquired this establishment. Our offer would represent a significant profit on your investment. Quite possibly the best return you’ll ever see.”
Curiosity gets the better of me. I flip open the folder, and my eyebrows shoot up despite my best efforts. The number is obscene. Nearly triple what I’ve agreed to pay Devil if I still want the bar at the end of the next six months.
“That’s… generous,” I admit.
“We value what you’ve built here,” he says smoothly. “The improvements you’ve made in such a short time are impressive. We see potential in this location that goes beyond its current… limitations.”
My skin crawls as I realize he’s had people in the bar since I’ve made the upgrades, checking it all out.
“Limitations?”
“Well.” He gestures vaguely around us. “The building is old. The neighborhood is changing. Our development plans would revitalize the entire parcel of land with a focus on bringing in higher-end clientele, more foot traffic, and better revenue opportunities.”
I close the folder, sliding it back across the desk. “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Crane, but I’m not interested. Devil’s isn’t just a building or a business to me. It’s part of this community.”
His pleasant expression doesn’t waver, but something shifts in his eyes. “Community is precisely what we’re trying to build, Ms. Sullivan. A better, safer, more prosperous Stoneheart for everyone.”
“Everyone who can afford it,” I counter.
“Progress always comes with change,” he says smoothly. “Some adapt, some don’t. But I’d encourage you to think about your future here. The town council is currently reviewing zoning regulations for this district.”
My blood chills. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. In fact, there’s a proposal that would restrict liquor licenses in mixed-use developments, which is what this block is slated to become. Businesses that are already established might be grandfathered in, of course… but the change could trigger a review.”
And there it is. The threat, thinly veiled but unmistakable.
“Are you suggesting that if I don’t sell to you now, I might find myself unable to operate later?”
He holds up his hands. “Not at all. I’m simply sharing information that might be relevant to your business decisions. We’d hate to see you invest more in a property that might face… regulatory challenges.”
I stand, making it clear our meeting is over. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Crane. But for now, Devil’s isn’t for sale.”
“Of course.” He stands as well, straightening his jacket. “The offer remains open. Here’s my card, should you reconsider.”
I take it just to get him moving. He’s already overstayed his welcome.
“One more thing,” he says, pausing at the office door. “I understand you’ve been hosting some… meetings here. With the local motorcycle club.”
My face gives nothing away. “Devil’s has always been open to the community.”
“Of course.” His smile is thin. “Just be careful about the company you keep, Ms. Sullivan. Some associations can complicate things unnecessarily.”
“I’ll choose my own associations, thanks,” I say, my voice cooling several degrees. “Now, if there’s nothing else?”
We exit back to the main bar area just as the door swings open, admitting Lee, Axel, and Cash. Their timing couldn’t be worse—or better, depending on how you look at it.
Crane stiffens almost imperceptibly. Lee’s eyes narrow as they clock the suit, then find me, a question in them that I can’t quite answer.
“Gentlemen,” Crane says with a nod as he edges toward the door. “Ms. Sullivan, consider our offer. I’ll be in touch.”
The bell over the door jingles as he leaves, the sound oddly cheerful in the tense silence he leaves behind.
Lee is at the bar in three long strides, his eyes burning with questions. “Who the hell was that?”
“David Crane. Summit Development.” I reach under the bar for the bourbon, pouring myself a shot before offering the bottle to the men. “He came to make me an offer on the bar.”
Axel’s eyebrows shoot up. “Summit’s moving on Devil’s now?”
“Apparently.” I knock back the shot, welcoming the burn. “Offered me three times what Devil asked for.”
“And?” Lee’s voice is tight.
I give him a flat look. “And I told him no.”
The tension in Lee’s shoulders eases slightly, but his scowl remains fixed. “What else did he want?”
“He mentioned the town council is reviewing zoning for this district. Something about restricting liquor licenses in mixed-use developments. Implied that if I didn’t sell now, I might find myself unable to operate later.”
“Fucking snakes,” Cash mutters, accepting the glass I slide his way.
“He also mentioned my ‘associations’ with the club,” I add. “Suggested I be careful about the company I keep.”
Lee’s hands clench into fists on the bar top. “They’re watching us. And now you’re on their radar.”
“Because of the meetings you’ve been having here?” I ask.
“Maybe,” Axel puts in. “But it’s likely they had eyes on the place the moment Devil became interested in selling. This is fast, though. Even for them.”
“I don’t like it,” Lee says, his voice dropping to a near-growl. “I don’t like them sniffing around you.”
His tone makes my hackles rise. “I can handle myself, Lee.”
“Against Summit? Against the cartel?” He shakes his head. “This was a mistake. We should never have involved you. I’d like to drag Devil back here and—”
“Excuse me?” I plant my hands on the bar, leaning forward. “You didn’t ‘involve’ me in anything. I chose to be a part of this town, and I’m choosing to be a part of this. My bar, my town, my choice.”
“Your choice is going to get you hurt,” he snaps. “These people don’t play nice, Kya. They’re ruthless. And now they’ve got their sights on you.”
“So what’s your solution? I should just roll over? Sell them the bar and skip town with my tail between my legs?” I glare at him. “That’s not happening.”
Lee runs a hand through his hair, frustration radiating from him. “Damn it, Kya. I’m trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “I’ve been taking care of myself since I was old enough to reach the stove. I don’t need you charging in like some leather-clad knight now.”
Axel and Cash exchange a glance, clearly sensing they’ve wandered into personal territory.
“We should go,” Axel murmurs to Cash, who nods quickly.
“Yeah.” Cash slides off his stool, giving Lee a pointed look. “You coming, brother?”
Lee doesn’t even look their way. “I’ll catch up.”
The two men make a hasty exit, the other customers doing the same. I call out a goodbye while locked in a staring contest with Lee and me.
“You’re being stubborn,” he says when the door closes behind on the final patron.
“And you’re being condescending.” I slam the bottle down harder than necessary. “Acting like I’m some helpless damsel who can’t make her own decisions.”
“I’m being realistic.” His voice rises. “Summit isn’t going to back off just because you told their suit to take a hike. They’ll find other ways to pressure you. Dangerous ways.”
“Let them try,” I snap back, refilling my glass with shaking hands. “I’m not selling, and I’m not running. I’m done running from this town and the people in it.”
“This isn’t about your pride, Kya!” He slams his palm on the bar top, making the glasses shake. “These people can hurt you. And now they’ve got their sights on you because we brought you into this!”
“I brought myself into this!” I shout back, temper fully ignited now. “I don’t need your permission, and I sure as hell don’t need your guilt!”
Lee runs both hands through his hair, his eyes wild. “Damn it, Kya, why can’t you just listen for once in your life?”
“Because that’s how I survived!” The words explode out of me. “That’s how I made it through growing up in this godforsaken town with a mother who couldn’t take care of herself, let alone me.”
His jaw clenches. “And how’s that working out for you? Standing alone against the world?”
The question hits too close to home, striking a nerve I didn’t realize was exposed. “Fuck you, Lee.”
“Yeah, that’s right. Shut me out. Push me away.” He stands abruptly, the stool scraping harshly against the floor. “God forbid anyone actually cares what happens to you.”
“If you cared you’d respect my decisions instead of trying to make them for me.”
“If you weren’t so goddamn stubborn, you’d see I’m trying to keep you alive!”
“I never asked you to!”
The words hang in the air between us, sharp and dangerous. Lee stares at me, his chest heaving, eyes blazing. For a moment, I think he might say something else—something he can’t take back—but then his expression shutters.
“Fine,” he says, his voice suddenly cold and distant. “You want to handle this alone? Have at it. I won’t waste my time trying to help someone who doesn’t want it.”
He turns and stalks toward the door, each step rigid with barely contained fury.
“Lee—” I start, already regretting how far this has escalated, but he cuts me off with a sharp gesture.
“Save it.” His hand is on the door. “You’ve made your position clear. I won’t bother you again.”
The door slams behind him with enough force to rattle the windows. I stand frozen, adrenaline still coursing through my system, hands gripping the edge of the bar so tightly my knuckles turn white.
The silence that follows is deafening.
“Shit,” I mutter, the anger draining out of me, leaving only a hollow ache in its place.
I shouldn’t have pushed him like that. I know he was just worried. But something about Lee Armstrong has always made me defensive, made me want to prove I’m strong enough on my own.
Even when I’m not sure I am.
I clean the glasses with more force than necessary, trying to ignore the way my throat tightens and my eyes burn. I don’t have time for this—for him, for these complicated feelings, for the tangle of emotions he stirs up.
My phone sits silent on the bar. No text this time.
And that hurts more than it should.
“Damn it,” I whisper, turning away from the empty bar and the echo of words I can’t take back. “Fucking men.”
I have a business to run, bills to pay, and Summit Development to deal with. I don’t have time for complicated feelings about Lee Armstrong.