Chapter Seven Spock
Seeing the stubborn determination settle across Chloe’s features does something to me.
Most people would consider taking the easier route.
Being threatened with violence after seeing someone they loved brutally attacked would have even the most stalwart person rethinking their plans.
Chloe could back away from our contract.
She could spare herself the fear and inconvenience, but she doesn’t.
Instead of backing down, she’s making plans on how to protect her people and finish the job. She’s a fucking warrior.
"Chloe."
She looks up at me, those brown eyes searching mine.
"You’re not carrying this burden alone. Not anymore."
A tiny furrow forms between her brows. She opens her mouth, and I know she’s ready to tell me that this isn’t my problem. But it is.
"The Demon Dawgs don't walk away from people under our protection." My voice comes out rougher than I expect. "You've become important to us."
The words are true, but they aren't the whole truth.
I hold her gaze, refusing to look away.
"You've become important to me."
Color blooms across her cheeks, soft pink spreading beneath her fair skin. She drops her eyes for a second before lifting them back to mine, and her shy smile hits me hard. This confident business owner is showing vulnerability.
Slowly, giving her every chance to stop me, I lift my hand.
When she doesn't pull away, I cup her cheek.
Her skin is impossibly soft beneath my palm, warm despite the still cool morning air. My thumb brushes gently over the curve of her cheekbone, and when she leans gently into the touch, I feel as if I’ve won a prize.
"You matter, sweetheart," I murmur. "To all of us."
My thumb makes another slow pass across her cheek.
"So quit thinking you have to fight this battle alone."
For one suspended moment, the world disappears, leaving only the woman in front of me and a silent promise forming between us.
Rush pisses me off by coughing to get my attention.
“We need to get going,” he reminds me.
Instead of cussing him out, I let my hand fall from Chloe’s cheek. I really want to stay with her, but I can’t. We have work to do. Work that centers around protecting her.
"We're not sitting around waiting for whoever's behind this to make the next move."
She tilts her head. "What do you mean?"
"We had a club meeting today, and Puma has a plan."
That earns her full attention.
"When we realized someone might be targeting you over Inferno Ridge, Puma had Spark dig deep. He ran background checks on the other construction companies that lost out on the bid.”
She nods slowly, encouraging me to continue.
"We're splitting up and visiting each company. Spark is still digging, but Puma wanted us to go face-to-face with the other owners.”
“You think they’ll confess?” Chloe asks with some doubt.
I shrug. “We are an intimidating lot.”
She chuckles. “You are.”
“We don’t know if they’ll let something slip, but at the same time, if they were responsible for the attack on your father, seeing us on their doorstep might make them nervous. We’ve paired off accordingly.”
"Meaning?"
"Two former military officers run Desert Storm Construction. Chill and Hunter are handling that one. Both of them served, so they speak the language. They’d be the most likely to notice if anything is off about them."
“I guess that makes sense. I just don’t think Jake or Luis would stoop to something like sabotage or attacking my dad.”
“You know them?” I ask.
She nods. “Our paths have crossed. I don’t know them well, but they seem like good guys.”
I nod, because I agree with her assessment.
"Adams Construction gets Viper and Rattler."
She raises an eyebrow.
"Intimidation or seduction?"
I chuckle.
"Among other things. Viper and Rattler are twins, so they can relate as siblings. Viper has a way of reading people, and Rattler notices details most folks miss.”
“And Viper is hot.”
I chuckle. “She is; she’s also intimidating as hell. If either of those guys is the one causing you trouble, they’ll think twice about it.”
"And the others?"
"Wildcard and Dice are visiting Sin City Construction." I grin. "Between Wildcard's charm and Dice's ability to spot bullshit from a mile away, they'll either make friends or make somebody nervous."
She laughs softly.
"Knowing Monroe, I’m thinking intimidation is the right way to go. He’s not a friendly guy. Who are you meeting?"
"Rush and I are heading to Red Rock Construction. They were the hardest for me to get a feel for during the discovery phase. Every conversation was with someone different. There wasn’t a single point of contact.
Rush is a numbers guy. I’m hoping between the two of us we can break down some of the walls they have up. ”
Chloe frowns. “I don’t know very much about them. I’ve met the others, but I can honestly say that I’ve never met anyone from Red Rock Construction, even though they have projects all over town. What happens if none of them are guilty?”
"Then we cross those suspects off the list and keep digging. Speaking of that, I’d like a list of all the workers you’ve sacked. Spark can dig into them to see if any are plotting revenge."
She sighs. “I hadn’t considered one of them, but you could be right. I’ll put together a list. God, this is such a mess.”
“We’ll figure it out and put a stop to whoever is doing this. You have my word. They made a mistake going after you. You have the protection of the Demon Dawgs now.”
She searches my face for a long moment before giving a single nod.
For the first time since this nightmare started, I think she believes we're going to find the son of a bitch responsible. And I'm determined not to prove her wrong.
"Before Rush and I head out, you mentioned meeting the guys from Desert Storm Construction. What about Sin City Construction or Adams Construction?"
Chloe doesn’t hide her disgust, which piques my interest. “Elvis Monroe is a tool. He’s an arrogant misogynist who shouldn’t be allowed in public.”
I chuckle at her vehemence. “Yeah, that was my take, too. He didn’t hit on you, did he?” If he did, I may call Dice and Wildcard to deliver a personal message from me to Elvis when they stop by.
“Ew. No. But every time our paths cross, he tries to convince me to sell my business because, in his words, ‘a woman should be holding a spatula, not a hammer.’ Idiot.”
Idiot indeed.
"What about Adams Construction?"
"The Adams brothers? They’re good guys. I’ve run into them at a few events. We’ve had dinner and drinks after to talk shop. Usually as part of a larger group. Mostly men, of course."
“Did they hit on you?”
She laughs. “They did, but nothing over the top or too serious. They asked. I said no. They accepted it without drama, which was nice. I’ve called them a few times when I needed an extra hand or with a question. They’ve done the same. I don’t think they’re the ones causing problems.”
Based on my experience with them, I agreed with her. Monroe was the one most likely to cause problems. Not only did he lose the contract, but he lost the contract to a woman. A misogynist like Monroe wouldn’t take that well.
I glance around the construction site and see the men working.
Every so often, one glances in our direction.
I have to wonder if one of them might be responsible.
Could the enemy be closer than we originally thought?
The idea that the danger could come from within leaves me cold.
I want to grab Chloe, take her away, and hide her.
However, I know that isn’t an option. I’ll need to protect her another way.
“One more thing,” I say. “Hawk will remain on site to send a message to anyone who may be watching. The prospects hung a few cameras yesterday, but Spock is ordering more. We’ll install them later. That won’t be a problem, will it?"
She blinks.
"That's... a lot."
"No." I shake my head. "It's enough."
She starts to protest, but I cut her off.
"Whoever is causing problems has had free rein here. That ends today. We want to see who comes and goes.”
She studies me for a long moment.
"You don't have to spend club resources on me."
"Yes, we do."
"Spock, this isn't your problem."
“Yes, it is.” My voice comes out firmer than I intend.
“I told you. You’re important to us, so you’re under our protection.
Puma insisted. I don’t think you understand how much Inferno Ridge means to him.
He’s turning the club into exactly what he wants, a club focused on family.
Inferno Ridge is his baby. He can’t wait to share a house with Alisa and the kids.
He wants to see the other houses built and full of club members.
Hell, he wants everyone to pop out more babies.
He’s obsessed with building a community out there.
That can’t happen if you aren’t around to make it happen. ”
Chloe lets out a slow breath, the fight draining from her shoulders.
“Okay. I’ll stop fighting you.”
“Good, there’s one more thing.” I smirk when she huffs out a frustrated breath.
"What?"
I lean forward and place a soft kiss on her pouty mouth.