Chapter 35
thirty-five
Less than a minute after Jax leaves, Noia bursts into my office, face tight with concern.
“What the hell is going on?” Her eyes scan my face. “Shit, Sash. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I sink back into my chair, gesturing for her to close the door. “You might want to sit down for this.”
She perches on the edge of my desk. “Spill.”
“Remember what I told you about the blackmail?” Noia nods, and I take a deep breath. “Well, Jax’s hacker friend found out that the people Ryan owes money to aren’t just loan sharks—they’re connected to a Vegas crime family called the Triple Six.”
Noia’s mouth drops open. “As in the freakin’ mafia?”
Stomach churning, I nod. The smile I try to give her feels more like a grimace.
“That’s not even the worst part. Dylan found emails showing Ryan’s been in contact with them for almost a year.
The burner phone he’s been tracing pinged in California.
Jax thinks it’s possible their goons could try to come here. ”
“What?” She jumps up. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I wish I were.” I rub my temples as a headache starts to form. “Apparently Ryan’s connection to them predates all the HR issues.”
Pacing the office, Noia gestures wildly. “So… what? He’s been planning something with them all this time? Using his shares of Summit as collateral or some shit?”
“We don’t know for sure. Dylan’s still digging. But based on everything we know so far, it would make sense.”
She stops suddenly, turning to face me. “You can’t stay at your place alone. Pack a bag and come stay with me and Ryder.”
“I appreciate that, but I can’t.” I shake my head firmly. “Jax offered me the option to stay with him until this blows over, and I agreed.”
“Oh, I bet he did.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, a little smirk twitches at her lips.
“It’s not like that,” I protest, my traitorous cheeks warming. “He’s just concerned for my safety. And besides, if these people really are as dangerous as he says, I’m not going to put you and Ryder at risk too.”
Her face softens. “Sasha, you know we’d do anything—”
“I know,” I sigh. “If these Triple Six guys do come here looking for me, I’m not dragging my best friend and her boyfriend into the crossfire. Jax’s place is set up with a high-tech security system, so if they come for me, we’ll know.”
Her shoulders slump in defeat. “Fine. But I’m checking in with you every few hours, and if you don’t respond within five minutes, I’m calling the cops.”
“How about once a day, during the day, and you have a deal.”
The look she gives me is resigned. “Deal.”
I give her a soft smile. “Look, we should get back to work. The soft opening is in three days, and I refuse to let the issue with Ryan ruin this for me.”
Noia’s nod is firm. “I get it. It’s one of the many things I love about you. Just promise me you’ll keep us in the loop and won’t go off on your own.”
“I promise.”
The once-empty space is still bustling with activity. The contractors have finished installing the last of the mirrors, and the reception desk area, and a couple of my new hire instructors are familiarizing themselves with the equipment.
Reyna Winters, a new hire who’s helping set up the aerial silks, is standing high up on a ladder, attaching a swath of vibrant purple fabric to the ceiling mount.
“Be careful up there,” I call out, bracing a hand on one of the steps.
She looks down with a smile that practically illuminates the room. With her wavy white-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and striking ice-blue eyes, she looks more like she belongs on a beach than in a gym. Toss in some gills and scales? Textbook angelic mermaid.
“Don’t you worry,” she replies, giving the silk a firm tug, testing its stability. “I’ve been doing this since I was fifteen.”
She descends the ladder, moving with the kind of grace that makes the simple action almost look like it’s been choreographed.
“How’s the emergency responder training going?” I ask, helping her straighten the silk.
“Intense,” she admits, brushing a piece of hair away from her face with a shrug. “The physical stuff is easy, but the medical terminology is kicking my butt. I’ve got flashcards all over my apartment, including my bathroom mirror.”
I laugh. “Wow. That’s dedication.”
“My dad was a first responder,” she explains, eyes softening. “I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, but I also need something creative as a way to decompress. That’s why I’m so grateful for this part-time gig. It allows me to do both.”
“Well, we’re lucky to have you,” I say sincerely. “Not many people have your level of expertise with aerial work.”
She beams at me. “Thanks for taking a chance on me. I know my resume is a bit... eclectic.”
“Eclectic is good. Means you’ll bring a unique perspective.” I glance around the room. “Could you help Noia with the rest of the silks? I need to check on how the juice bar setup is coming along.”
“On it!” She gives me a mock salute and heads over to where a now struggling Noia has somehow managed to almost completely wrap herself up in a bolt of pink nylon.
Snorting out a laugh, I head over to check out the juice bar. The contractors have made good progress, installing the sleek countertop and hanging pendants that will cast a warm glow over the space. It’s coming together exactly as I’d imagined.
“Ms. Garrett?” I turn to see one of the equipment installers holding a clipboard with a worried expression on his face. “The rest of your equipment is here. We’ve got the delivery truck waiting outside, but there’s gonna be an issue loading from the rear.”
“What kind of issue?” I ask, following him toward the back of the building.
“The truck’s too big for the space. We’re going to have to unload from the street and carry everything in through the front.”
I sigh, mentally calculating how much longer that will take. “Okay, we’ll make it work. I’ll grab some of the other staff to help. See if we can move any cars parked out front that might be in the way.”
As I’m coordinating with the delivery guys out front, I spot a black SUV with tinted windows slowly drive by. My blood runs cold when it circles back for a second pass, slowing down even more.
“Hey, you okay?” Noia asks, coming up to stand next to me on the sidewalk. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Did you see that black SUV?” I whisper, my eyes darting anxiously to where it disappeared around the corner.
She cranes her head to look. “What SUV?”
Even though the vehicle is gone now, a strange sense of unease lingers at the back of my neck. Am I being paranoid? Maybe.
I brush it off and shake my head. “Probably just someone trying to find parking amid all this chaos.”
Linking our arms, I steer us toward the moving truck. “Let’s go. I’d like to get this banged out before lunch.”
By the time the rest of the equipment is unloaded, my stomach is growling so loud even Noia can hear it.
“Lunchtime?” she laughs, wiping sweat from her forehead. “I’m starving too.”
“God, yes.” I glance up at the clock on the wall. It’s already past one. “Let me see if Reyna wants to join us.”
I spot Reyna coiling up one of the extra silks near the back of the studio. “We’re taking a lunch break. Would you like to come?”
Her face lights up. “I’d love to! Just let me grab my purse.”
“How about we eat somewhere different today? There’s this new place down the street, Juniper Jacks,” Noia suggests as Reyna jogs over to join us. “I heard their salads are amazing.”
“Perfect. I’ll text Lizzy and Claire to meet us there,” I say, pulling out my phone.
I’ve been meaning to catch up with the girls anyway. With the fair coming up, I want to verify everyone’s plans.
Ten minutes later, we’re seated at a corner table at the trendy new farm-to-table café sipping iced teas when Lizzy and Claire walk in.
As they slide into the booth, I do a quick introduction. “Everyone, this is Reyna. She’s going to be teaching aerial silk classes at Summit a couple times a week.” I glance at Reyna. “Claire and Lizzy work at Skin & Ink Tattoo, just across the street from Summit.”
“Oh, wow. That’s cool. Nice to meet you.”
Curiosity piqued, Claire tilts her head. “Aerial silks, huh? Isn’t that where you hang from curtains attached to a ceiling and do all those crazy spins and shit?”
“Close enough, but yeah,” Reyna giggles, nodding enthusiastically. “It’s so much fun! Feels like you’re dancing in the air.”
“I’ve seen videos online. Looks terrifying.” Claire shivers. “But beautiful.”
“That’s one of the reasons it’s so fun,” Reyna replies with a grin. “Add in a little danger and fear? All part of the thrill.”
As they chat, I keep one eye out the window, scanning for any sign of the black SUV. My nerves are still on edge, and I can’t seem to shake the feeling I’m being watched.
“Sash?” Noia nudges me.
“Sorry,” I mumble, picking up the menu. “Just… tired.”
“Stress getting to you?” Lizzy asks sympathetically.
“Something like that.”
Thankfully, the waitress shows up to take our orders and we settle in, talking about our plans for the fair until our food arrives.
“So,” Lizzy leans forward, eyes sparkling with excitement, “guess who’s coming back to town for the fair?”
“Who?” Noia asks, munching on a sweet potato fry.
“Logan.” Lizzy grins. “He’s doing a special training program with the Seattle Fire Department for SAR, but he’s got the weekend off, so he’s gonna help us out.”
“When does he get back?” I ask, stealing a fry from Noia’s plate.
“Next Friday,” she says. “He’s helping Jax with the batting cages, but I’m going to try to convince him to do the dunk tank with Ryder and Jax, too.”
“Talk about a triple threat,” Claire laughs.
“What do you mean by triple threat?” Reyna asks.
“Girl. Ryder and Jax are two of the hottest men in town, and adding Logan into the mix? Let’s just say his firefighter skills will come in handy with the smoke show those guys’ll be putting on.”
“Ewww!” Lizzy grimaces. “Can we not talk about my brother like that?”
“Um… Have you met your brother?” I chime in. “I sure as hell did, and that man is H.O.T., hot.”
Lizzy throws a cucumber slice at my head. “How about you keep your eyes on Jax and off of my brother?”
Batting it away, I throw up my hands in defense. “Just sayin’ Claire’s right. Smoke. Show.”
“Wait,” Noia jumps in. “So that means if Logan moves back to Lakeside like you said, Reyna would be working with him. Am I right?”
Reyna blinks, looking confused. “Logan.” Her forehead scrunches up. “Wait, are you talking about Logan Cade?”
“Yeah,” Lizzy answers. “He’s training for the Captain’s position at Lakeside Fire Search and Rescue.”
“I’ve heard rumors there’s going to be a new Captain in the next couple of months,” Reyna says thoughtfully. “No one knows who it is yet, though. I’ve heard stories about Logan. He’s done some pretty dangerous rescues.”
“Yup. My brother is a real-life action hero. But don’t tell him I said that. He hates it.”
“Most heroes do. I’ve never met him, just heard stories.”
“Well, you’ll get your chance next weekend,” I add. “If you want, we can fix it so you can volunteer with him. Meet him before anyone else from Lakeside Fire.”
“I mean, if there’s a chance we’ll be working together, it might be a good idea to get to know him. On a professional level, I mean.”
While Reyna focuses on stabbing at her salad, I exchange maniacal grins with my friends. “Sure. Professional all the way.”