Chapter 74
MASON
Cole Turner walks into the Rusty Spur like he owns the place.
He's dressed casually—jeans, boots, a dark jacket that probably costs more than most people in Iron Ridge make in a month. Turner walks to the bar and orders a drink. He moves with the easy confidence of someone who's never had to worry about consequences.
Jake doesn’t move but I can tell he has visual on Turner.
I feel Lily freeze beside me. I lift her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist to reassure her. Then I press my lips to her temple. "Don’t worry. We’ve got this."
Turner takes his drink and turns, surveying the room like he's looking for someone. His gaze lands on our booth and he smiles.
Conversation at our table comes to a standstill.
Luke chuckles. “Talk about a party pooper. Officer Hot Stuff, you should go arrest Turner for disturbing the convivial air of a public place.”
Harper’s eyes narrow. “Careful, cowboy. Keep talking like that and people are going to mistakenly think that you read.”
Luke props his chin in his fist. “See? This is the kind of encouragement that keeps me trying.”
Harper snorts.
Turner starts walking toward us.
Every muscle in my body coils tight. I calculate the distance, the angle, how fast I could cross the room and snap his neck before anyone could stop me. Three seconds. Maybe four.
Jake's foot nudges mine under the table.
Turner stops at our booth, his smile warm and disarming. "Isn’t this cozy? Can I join you?”