Chapter Six Chloe
The morning sun is already beating down on the lot by the time I pull through the temporary construction gate for Riversedge Apartments.
Dust hangs in the air as trucks rumble across the packed dirt, their engines blending with the familiar chorus of backup alarms, compressors, and shouts.
Normally, those sounds settle me because they mean progress.
They mean we’re another step closer to tangible results.
Today they only remind me where Dad nearly died.
I park beside the site trailer and walk toward what will eventually become a six-story apartment complex. The outside doesn’t reveal the progress inside.
My boots carry me almost automatically to the room where I found Dad. The graffiti is gone. The area has been scrubbed and repainted so nothing of the message remains, except my memory of it.
“Demon Dawgs took care of it before they took off yesterday.”
I turn to find Steven Blackwood walking toward me with a travel mug in one hand and a rolled set of plans tucked beneath his arm. My foreman has only worked for me a few months, but he’s proven himself dependable, organized, and usually unflappable.
Today his forehead is creased with worry.
"How's Bill?"
"Dad's okay." The answer comes easier today than it did yesterday. "Eight stitches and a concussion. He refused to stay at the hospital, but he did agree to stay home and rest today.”
Steven smiles faintly.
"That's smart. I’m surprised you got him to agree, but I guess being daddy’s girl has its uses."
I frown at his comment, but shrug it off. “He knew I was worried about him. He also knows that it isn’t smart to wander around a construction zone without all your faculties. I think he’s still feeling the effect of the blow.”
“Does he remember anything about who attacked him?”
I shake my head. “He remembers coming in here, but he doesn’t know why.”
"I've been thinking. I was talking to Spock yesterday after you left. He said that you think these attacks started after you won the bid for Inferno Ridge.”
“That’s what I told him. I don’t know for certain if the timelines mesh up, but it seems like that’s when I started noticing we had a problem. Whoever is doing this was subtle at the beginning. I may have missed the signs if it started earlier.”
“Maybe you should back out of the contract.”
I frown. “Why would I do that? It would destroy my business. Not only would we get a bad reputation, but the Demon Dawgs could sue me. No, I signed the contract. I’ll see it through. Besides, I’m enjoying the project.”
“That biker, Spock, is it? He said that whoever is behind the attacks may be angry that you won the bid and are trying to put you out of business.”
“All the more reason why I won’t give up.”
"Chloe, I'm trying to be practical."
"So am I."
"No construction contract is worth somebody getting killed."
The words land harder than I expect.
"I know that."
"Do you?" His voice stays gentle, almost painfully patient.
"Because from where I'm standing, you've got vandals escalating into attempted murder.
Your father nearly died. If this keeps going...
" He lets the sentence trail off before adding quietly, "Maybe it's time to let someone else finish the job. "
Something inside me stiffens. I've heard that tone before. Not from Steven specifically, but from men who've decided they know what's best for me.
"I appreciate your concern."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"Then think about it."
"I already have."
His eyebrows lift.
"I'm not quitting."
"Chloe—"
"No." I square my shoulders. "We earned this contract. We submitted the best proposal, we won it fairly, and we're going to build that community for them."
"Even if someone is targeting you?"
"No one is going to tell me how to run my business."
Steven studies me for a long moment.
"I'm just worried."
"I know you are."
"And you're being stubborn."
My jaw tightens. “I’m determined. So far, whoever is targeting me has only hit this location. They’re too scared to attack Inferno Ridge. I won’t take on any new projects. Once we finish this build, I’ll move everyone to the Inferno Ridge project, and we’ll focus our attention there.”
“If you start turning away work, won’t that damage your reputation?”
I shrug. “I think making Puma and the Demon Dawgs happy will help my business thrive.”
I turn away from Steven before he can say anything else and head toward the site trailer. Around me, crews are beginning to settle into their routines. Someone cranks up the radio as another worker raucously laughs. It’s all very normal.
"Chloe."
I don't slow.
“My mind is made up."
"I know, but—"
"No. I've made my decision."
His boots scrape against the gravel as he follows me out of the partially framed structure and into the bright Nevada sun.
"You don't have to prove anything."
I stop so abruptly he nearly walks into me.
“The only thing I’m trying to prove is that I can get the job done. This is my company. I built it from nothing, and I’m not going to let some coward take it from me.”
“Even if it costs you your life?”
Before I can answer, his hand closes gently around my forearm.
"Just listen for one—"
The low rumble of motorcycles cuts him off.
Three Harleys roll through the gate in perfect formation, sunlight bouncing off polished chrome. All movement and sound outside cease. The workers openly stare.
The bikes coast across the gravel before stopping fifteen feet away.
Spock is already swinging off his motorcycle before the engine completely dies. His gaze locks on Steven's hand. The temperature around us seems to drop ten degrees.
Steven must feel the anger rolling off Spock, because he immediately lets go of my arm before taking a deliberate step backward. He gives me one last look before pivoting and disappearing into the building.
I glance between his retreating form and the three bikers.
Rush and Hawk remain near their motorcycles, watching everything without saying a word.
Spock walks straight toward me. His expression is controlled, but I see the anger flashing in his eyes as he glares at the empty doorway where Steven disappeared.
“What was that all about?” he asks.
I sigh. “We were arguing.”
"About?"
“We were discussing the attack on Dad.”
Understanding flickers across his face, though it doesn't erase the hardness in his expression.
"And?"
"Steven thinks the easiest solution is to forfeit the Inferno Ridge contract."
Spock goes completely still. Behind him, I notice Rush and glance toward Hawk, but neither speaks.
"He thinks," I continue, "that because you suggested whoever's behind this may be angry we won the bid, walking away might make us less of a target. Might make me less of a target."
Spock rubs the back of his neck before looking back at his brothers.
“Is that what you want to do?” he says. “If you think it’s safer…”
But I’m already shaking my head. “That isn’t what I want. That’s why we were arguing. I’m not giving up and letting whoever it is win.”
Spock studies my face before glancing around the property and then back at Hawk and Rush. “If ending the contract keeps you safe, then maybe we should consider it as an option.”
Yesterday I probably would have assumed he only cared about protecting his club's project. Today, I can see that is not the case.
"You really mean that."
"Yeah."
"Even though it'd make things harder for the Demon Dawgs?"
"The project can wait."
I shake my head.
"No."
His eyebrows rise.
"I want to build Inferno Ridge."
"Chloe—"
"I mean it. I fell in love with that project when you explained what you were trying to do there. Winning that project meant everything to me. I’m not going to give it up because some asshole has a problem with me.
That project is everything I worked hard to achieve.
Not only is it a challenge, but it’s going to be something that I can be proud of too.
Besides, I like what you guys are building out there.
Apartments like this are great, but Inferno Ridge is more than just a bunch of homes with strangers living inside.
It’s you and your brothers and sisters. It’s building a heritage, a future.
It’s knowing Elina and Mal will grow up and take over. ”
His expression softens slightly.
"I'm not letting whoever's behind this stop me. They can’t ruin this for me.”
Spock studies me quietly.
"So you're staying."
"I'm staying."
A slow nod.
"Okay."
"I am thinking about making one change."
"What kind of change?"
"I’m not taking on any new work once this project is complete.”
That catches his attention.
"What do you mean?"
"My crew is committed to this project until it’s done.
However, once they’re through, I’m going to shift them to Inferno Ridge.
Whoever is causing problems has only attacked this site; they’ve left Inferno Ridge alone.
I have a feeling they won’t be a problem once we’re out there because they aren’t stupid enough to attack us with you guys right there. ”
Spoke nods once.
“You’re right. I don’t think anyone would be stupid enough to go after you there. However, you’re still in danger while you finish this project.”
I shrug. “We’ll just have to be more alert.”
Spock smirks. “I think we can do better than that.’