Chapter 55
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
LOLA
The bar is packed. But Violet was right, it is a vibe, and my mood has perked up since Hunter texted.
I sit back and watch Violet and Luke on the dance floor. I really think she might be wrong about him. I see that spark. I do wonder how she’s going to end it, because she still has to work with him. Or fire him, I suppose. But, that isn’t V. I trust her to handle it, though.
A pretty blonde girl slides into the chair opposite me. Silver nose ring. Pastel green sundress. Cowboy boots. Her green eyes lock onto mine.
“Hi.” I pick up my espresso martini. The bartender had to look up how to make it because apparently, it’s not ordered here often.
“Hey. I’m Harper.”
She’s looking at me like she knows me. Perhaps from my work? I hate it when this happens. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but do I know you?”
She smiles, picking up her beer. “No. But I heard you’re the new Mrs. Sterling.”
I look at my rings. Jeez. Word does travel fast in a small town. “Do you know my husband?”
“Not really. I’m a reporter from LA. I was wondering if you’d mind some questions about ranch life here in Arizona.”
Something about the way her tone changes makes me pause. And that whole excuse sounds wrong. She knows my husband.
“No,” I tell her. I’ve dealt with these vultures before.
“What’s your last name, Harper?” I ask.
She knocks back her drink, digs around in her purse, and then slides a business card across. As I take it, her hand lands on mine.
Her eyes lock onto me, and I’m not scared of her. I think she’s hiding something. But she almost seems nervous.
“Please don’t tell any of the brothers about this, Lola,” she whispers.
“What’s the article really about, Harper?”
She leans in. “I’m trying to protect Ace. But no one can know. Especially not him.”
“Protect him how?”
“Not here.” She glances around the room. “And Lola? You really shouldn’t be in this town. Hunter’s ex was murdered two streets away.”
My blood turns to ice.
“Take my card. Speak to Hunter. I have information he may want. But I need a story for my bosses.”
“Please don’t tell Ace. Not yet.” Her voice cracks. “I want to do this without ever having to see him again.”
I soften. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do, Harper.”
This is weird as hell.
I head to Violet. Grab her waist. “V. I need to leave. This is right near where his ex was killed.”
“Luke can’t drive. He’s had too many.”
I bite my tongue because he’s in earshot of what I want to say. But she needs to dump his designated driver, failing ass. What kind of guy takes his woman out to a dangerous bar and gets wasted? I take everything back. That spark I thought I saw between them? Dead.
Hunter would never.
“I’ll call Hunter.” I huff and turn away just as I spot Luke taking another shot.
I hope he can feel my death glare in the side of his stupid head.
I push into the bathroom. He answers before it rings on my end. “Lola, baby. Are you okay?”
I don’t want to panic him. But I want to go home.
“No, not really, cowboy. I don’t like where I am. I found out what happened here, and I don’t feel safe. And Luke has got his stupid ass drunk and can’t drive us home.”
It’s not just the fact that I know his ex was murdered here, it’s now giving me the creeps in general. I hear Hunter sigh.
“Alright. It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.” He tells me, a softness in his voice.
“People already know we’re married here. They know who I am. Am I really safe?”
I glance down at the way my hands are starting to shake. My body is trying to tell me something.
“Good. Let them. That ain’t a problem.”
I blow out a breath. It feels like he’s saying this to calm me down, but I think deep down, he’s worried too.
“I need to come home.”
Glass shatters inside the bar. Then gunshots. Two of them. I’m shaking like a leaf. So hard my phone drops out of my hand and clatters onto the floor.
“Lola!” I hear Hunter’s voice roar through the speaker.
I pick it up, pushing it to the side of my face, being careful not to be loud. I have no idea who the hell is in the bar.
“Lola. Do not fucking move. I’m on my way. Okay, baby. No one is going to hurt you,” he tells me.
But I hear the fear in his voice. The things he’s trying to hide from me. Hunter Sterling is scared for me.
“I love you, Hunter,” I choke on a sob. I don’t want to be here.