A couple of weeks later, I was closing up shop by myself. Jessie had asked for the night off, heading out with a few of her girlfriends to enjoy the nightlife while she was still young. Cody was at my neighbor’s apartment tonight, just in case Ethan called in an impromptu payment. That left just me for the moment.

 

Today had been the same kind of busy it always was these days. Ethan had made good on his word to pay for the damages to the store and some much needed improvements, meaning the wall was up—though we were still talking about colors for paint; I hated the blue he’d picked out and he hated the moss green I wanted.

 

The charred remains of the convenient store were also mostly gone, leaving a cleared out slab of concrete for a base. Ethan and I had been discussing what we might use it for.

 

We, I thought, shaking my head a little at myself. Like we’re legitimate partners or something.

 

Sighing, I took the tub of packed up scissors to the back where I stored them at night. My supplies were right beside the closet where Ethan stored his drugs. That door always remained locked. I didn’t even have a key for it—Ethan’s guys put the new lock on—and really didn’t want a key. Ethan could handle his own business; I didn’t want to worry about it, too.

 

Putting up my tub, I heard the little bell above the door ring. “Damn, I could have sworn I locked it,” I muttered to myself. Raising my voice, I called to the front, “Sorry! We’re closed!”

 

I listened for a minute and when I didn’t hear the bell ring again, I let out a sigh. Whoever it was was still in the shop. Heading out to the front, I froze when I saw a large, burly man sitting in one of my chairs, flipping through a magazine. He looked so out of place that it was laughable, with his leather pants and his tattooed arms, flipping through a fashion magazine.

 

But I didn’t feel like laughing. There was something about the man that spoke of danger. Like a predator poised to strike.

 

Swallowing back my fear, I put on my best “I’m in charge” face. “Excuse me, I said we’re closed. But you’re welcome to come back in the morning, of course.” Though I seriously hoped he wouldn’t take me up on that offer.

 

Putting down the magazine, he smiled at me. It was a smile that reminded me of the first time Ethan was in my shop. And that wasn’t a good thing. Standing, he said, “Diana Leone? My, you’re pretty.”

 

I stiffened. I was starting to think that being pretty wasn’t doing me very many favors. Neither was being a good girl, I’d noticed. “Yes, I’m Ms. Leone. If you need to talk about something, like I said, come back in the morning.”

 

“I don’t think so.”

 

Before I could tell him off or threaten to call the police—which was a damn joke in the first place—he was across the room with his hands on my upper arms. He shoved me against the wall hard enough that the back of my head hit it and bounced back. I blinked past a sharp, shooting pain, working to stay focused.

 

“I think we should talk now,” he told me, close enough that I could smell the mint on his breath.

 

Fearing coursing through my veins like blood, I did my best to stay calm. I didn’t want him to know how badly he was freaking me out right now. “What do you want?”

 

“I want to know what your secret is.”

 

“What secret?” I asked, genuinely at a loss as to what he was talking about.

 

He released my arms so he could gesture to the store surrounding us. “I couldn’t help but notice your flourishing business. You see, I’m a small business owner, too. I’ve been watching your little shop and even a blind man can see that you’re doing marvelously well given that you just lost half your store in a terrible fire.” He gestured to the wall that had just been replaced. “Did insurance cover that?”

 

I pursed my lips together. I quickly shuffled through my options. Now that he’d let me go, I could try to shove at him and make a break for it, but how far would I get? And what would he do then? My recent experience was telling me two things: don’t try to run, because I won’t make it, and don’t show fear, because he’ll use it against me.

 

So I did the only thing I could. I pulled myself up straighter, lifted my chin, and stared him directly in the face. “Get the hell out of my shop.” My voice was firm and strong, despite the way my hands were shaking and just how scared I really was.

 

He laughed at me. “Or what?” he asked.

 

Running on instinct, my hand went to the apron I hadn’t taken off yet. I slipped it into the little pouch at the front and felt around inside. There. Cold, hard metal. I gripped the pair of scissors in my hand tightly and pulled them out. “Or this,” I told him, jerking the tip of the scissors between his legs and pressing them into his thigh right beside his crotch.

 

He stiffened and I saw a flash of anger in his expression, but then he smiled at me and held up his hands. Still smiling, he took a step back. “Easy, honey, we’re just talking,” he told me and I was reminded of the cop who had called me hysterical.

 

I gritted my teeth, holding the scissors tightly and not taking my eyes off the stranger.

 

He headed towards the door, but I could tell in the way he moved that he wasn’t really afraid of me. And the only reason he was leaving was because this had been about scaring me. Check that little box off. He reached for the door, then paused. “Oh, and tell Ethan I was asking for him.”

 

He left, the little bell tinkling after him, and I released the breath I’d been holding. I slumped against the wall, sliding down to the floor. There I sat, shaking and shocked, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do now.

 

# # #

 

It turned out that the thing to do was exactly what the man had said: go to Ethan and inform him he’d gotten a visitor at my shop.

 

Which was why I was now at Ethan’s Diner, waiting in the back hallway with Louis while Ethan finished up some business. I’d called my neighbor to ask her to watch Cody for a little longer as I was held up at work, and she’d been gracious enough to accommodate me.

 

“Of course, honey. Cody’s an angel.”

 

I’d smiled at that and agreed with Mrs. Rogers wholeheartedly. “Can I talk to him for a minute?”

 

The lady went to fetch him and then I heard the shuffling of the phone, followed by, “Momma?”

 

“Cody, baby,” I said, smiling broadly. “How are you?”

 

“Okay. I got a cookie after dinner. Are you coming home soon?”

 

I took a quick breath, forcing myself to remain calm. All I wanted to do was go home to my son. But what I said was, “I’ll be a little late, but I’ll be home soon, okay?”

 

I could hear the pouting in his voice as he answered, “Fine.”

 

Mrs. Rogers came back on the phone and I reiterated that I’d be home soon. Then we’d hung up. That was maybe ten or fifteen minutes ago. Now I was just waiting for Ethan to be done with whatever he was doing to tell him what had happened. It was weird to be here by my own volition instead of being summoned.

 

I leaned against one wall, trying to keep my shit together, while Louis stood in front of the one opposite me. He had his arms crossed and was wearing the same suit he always wore. He must have a closet full of identical suits. His expression was as neutral as it ever was, but his eyes were expressive tonight. I noticed them as they slid over me, assessing.

 

After a moment, he asked, “Bad day?”

 

My brow raised at his question and I nearly laughed, more hysterical than amused. “Feeling chatty tonight?” I asked him, then silently cursed myself when my voice came out shaky.

 

He frowned slightly. “Trouble with business?”

 

I swallowed, then nodded. “Yeah. I…I need to tell Ethan something.” I’d already texted Louis to let him know I needed a word with his boss because I wasn’t supposed to talk to Ethan directly. Well, not unless I was making a payment. Yet all that careful secrecy hadn’t done much to keep some scary leather-wearing man from coming to my shop and threatening me over Ethan.

 

Louis nodded and fell silent again.

 

We only had to wait a few more minutes, then Ethan’s office door opened. A man—I was strangely relieved to see it wasn’t some woman like the waitress from the Mexican restaurant—walked out. He glanced between Louis and myself, but didn’t say anything. Then he walked down the hall and disappeared around a corner.

 

I glanced at Louis, but he only shrugged, then gestured towards the door. I headed inside.

 

Ethan looked up from his desk, genuinely surprised to see me. “Well, well. Are you making advanced payments now?” he joked. It was crude, but not as offensive as it might have been a couple of months ago.

 

“She’s had a rough day, boss,” Louis said before I had a chance to utter a word. I glanced at him in surprise. His expression hadn’t changed and neither had his tone, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d just admonished Ethan for my sake.

 

Or gotten as close to admonishing as Louis ever got.

 

It seemed to work. Ethan’s cocky expression shifted slightly to one that was more businesslike. “What happened?”

 

I swallowed and took a deep breath, then recounted the events of the night. By the end of my story, I felt exhausted all over again and sat heavily in the vinyl covered seat in front of his desk. “He knew I was working with you.” It seemed weird to call our arrangement a working partnership, but it was the best I could do.

 

Ethan had been silent the entire time as I told my story. Now he sat back in his chair, leaning as he considered all I’d said. He looked at me, appraising as though he’d never taken the time to do so before. Which was an outright lie. He’d stared at my body until I thought he’d burn holes right into it. But this look was different. It was almost…impressed?

 

“What?” I finally asked, when he hadn’t said anything for a while.

 

“I think maybe I’ve underestimated you, Diana,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “I want you to know I appreciate that you held your ground. A lesser woman wouldn’t have.”

 

Something akin to pride welled in my chest, chasing out some of the fear that lingered there. “It’s my shop. I won’t be bullied in my own shop.” I raised a brow at him, hinting at our first encounter.

 

He laughed. “No, I guess not.” Sitting forward in his chair again, he said, “Still. I appreciate toughness, regardless of where it comes from.”

 

I shifted in my seat, a little uncomfortable at the compliment, but also a little pleased. “Thank you.”

 

He acknowledged my gratitude, then moved on. “Did he give you a name?”

 

I shook my head. “No. He just said to tell you he was asking for you.”

 

Ethan’s jaw clenched. It was obvious by the tension in his shoulders and the hard line of his jaw that he was pissed. “You think it’s Tommy?” This was directed at Louis.

 

I glanced back at the burly guard. He shrugged. “Probably. Tommy’s been getting brave lately.”

 

Ethan slammed his fist down on the table hard, making me jump as I jerked around to face him again. But his anger wasn’t directed at me, for which I was eternally grateful. “Fucking Tommy.”

 

I swallowed. Keep your mouth shut and your nose clean, I told myself silently. But even as my thoughts warned me off, my mouth didn’t seem to get the memo. “Who’s Tommy?”

 

Ethan sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. “A rival. He’s been trying to muscle in on my territory for a while now and it’s been a real thorn in my side. Last year, he was little more than a small time peddler. Now he’s got balls because he’s got followers.”

 

I frowned. The whole drug circuit thing, the territory and rivalries and all of that wasn’t something I was well versed in, but I could guess at a few things. It was business, regardless of what the product was. Ethan sold to a certain area. This guy was obviously trying to do the same business in that same area, thus cutting into Ethan’s profit.

 

At least, that was my best guess at the situation.

 

Ethan stood and began to pace behind his desk. He was clearly irritated, his feet carrying him in four strides across the length of the room before he swiveled and came right back. He did this several times, seeming to get angrier with each pass. I wasn’t thrilled with being in the same room as him when he was pissed like this, but I was grateful it was, at least, directed at someone other than me. That went miles towards making my day better.

 

The room was silent while he paced until finally I couldn’t take it.

 

“What are you going to do?” I asked hesitantly. I was still in that hazy gray area where we weren’t technically partners, but we sort of were, too. He was paying for repairs. I was watching over his shipments. The sex aside, we were in a sort of working arrangement, and maybe that entitled me to asking a few questions.

 

He stopped midstride, then turned to face me. “I don’t know how the hell he figured it out,” he told me, shaking his head. “I’ve been so careful with The Cut. Everything goes through someone else. My guys handle the deliveries. An out of town vendor forges the paperwork. There’s no connection to me.”

 

I decided to not point out that Louis was a pretty noticeable guy and anyone who knew Ethan probably at least knew of Louis. Instead, I remained silent and waited for Ethan to work things out in his head.

 

“We need to flush the guy out,” Ethan finally said, though he was directing this at Louis, not me. “He thinks he can come around and start threatening my people—” I raised an eyebrow at being called Ethan’s people, but didn’t say anything. “—like I’m not going to retaliate. Like he’s got a fucking leg to stand on.”

 

“What do you want to do, boss?” Louis asked, hands folded in front of him.

 

Ethan ran his hand through his thick hair, thinking for just a second. After a long pause, he said, “We lure him into a trap. Set him up.”

 

I frowned. A trap? I really didn’t know how this whole thing worked on anything more than a basic level, but a trap sounded dangerous. And kind of ineffective, though I didn’t know Ethan’s plan yet. A trap implied someone was caught, usually in the act, but what act could Ethan hope to catch him in? It wasn’t like anyone could go to the police situation.

 

It dawned on me that he might be talking about taking slightly more extreme measures. Like killing the man.

 

I don’t know that. He could be just trying to scare him, I thought. I didn’t really believe it, though.

 

I gripped the armrests of the chair, wondering if I could excuse myself from the rest of the conversation. Being complacent in a drug operation was one thing, but I didn’t think I could stomach any talk of murder or breaking someone’s kneecaps. Do they really do that? My mind wondered idly, though I didn’t honestly want an answer.

 

Trying to figure out a good place to interrupt Ethan and get the hell out of here, I froze when the next words left his mouth.

 

“He clearly thinks The Cut is a weak point, otherwise he wouldn’t have threatened Diana tonight,” he told Louis.

 

I hadn’t really thought that and felt a little indignant about it, though that was stupid. It wasn’t like I wanted to be some hotshot in the drug world, but still. I didn’t like anyone insulting my little place.

 

“You wanna use the shop?” Louis asked.

 

I whipped my head around to shoot Louis a glare. The urge to tell him off and inform him that they would be doing no such thing disappeared instantly at Ethan’s reply. “Yeah. I think so. Tommy—or whoever the hell it was—clearly went after Diana to prove not only that he knows where my little hiding spots are, but also that he knows where to hit us. He’ll come back there, probably even try to bring Diana to his side.”

 

I didn’t like the way Ethan was talking about me like I wasn’t sitting right there and opened my mouth to tell him just that. “Excuse me, but think maybe I can be part of the conversation?”

 

He completely ignored me and kept on talking to Louis. “I think we can use that to our advantage.”

 

Frowning, I asked him, “What? Use what to your advantage?”

 

Neither he nor Louis answered me. Instead, Louis nodded and said, “We’ll need to move the stash, just in case.”

 

Ethan agreed. “Quickly.”

 

“You wanna do it tonight?”

 

Ethan’s eyes finally flickered to me, then moved back to Louis. “No. I don’t want to risk that Tommy’s got someone watching. He’ll have expected Diana—”

 

“Who is sitting right here,” I interrupted.

 

He didn’t miss a beat as he continued, “—to come to me immediately. I don’t want to make him think he’s got us spooked. We’ll leave it tonight, but I want you on standby. Twenty-four hour. Be ready to move our stock immediately.”

 

Louis nodded. “You got a plan?”

 

Ethan nodded and again his gaze flickered back to me. My stomach dropped and suddenly, I wished I’d made a greater effort to leave after telling him what happened. Why didn’t I just call him on the damn phone? I wondered silently. That probably would have saved me a lot of grief.

 

Pushing up onto my feet, I tried to excuse myself. “I should really go.”

 

But Ethan was staring at me now and he shook his head. “No, stay.”

 

I swallowed and let myself fall back into the chair. I knew it wouldn’t be so easy and cursed myself again for not calling. “I really don’t have anything to contribute,” I argued. “And my son’s waiting at home. I don’t need to be here.”

 

Ethan wasn’t listening, however. Instead, he folded his arms across his chest, straightening himself up to his full height. “Yes, you do. You’re involved, Diana. And I need you.”

 

My stomach did an involuntary flip at those words. I need you. I tried to force away the small rush of pleasure I got from that, but it was impossible.

 

To be needed by someone other than Cody was something I hadn’t had in my life for a long time. And I hadn’t realized how much I missed it until this moment.

 

And then that bastard wrecked it all by continuing. “Tommy is going to come back. He’s going to try to intimidate you. This time, I want you to let him. When he threatens you, tell him you’ll do whatever he wants. Tell him you’re sick of me and you want to work for him instead. Promise him whatever he wants.”

 

With each word that left his mouth, anger bloomed inside of me. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what he was doing. Bait. That’s what he expected me to be. And worse than that, I was supposed to let this guy bully and threaten me, maybe even hurt me. My anger grew until my chest hurt and my body was vibrating as I tried to hold it back.

 

But the dam broke. “Like my body?” I asked him pointedly. “Is that what I’m supposed to promise him?”

 

Ethan must have heard the rage building inside me, because he got stiff. His body went rigid and his expression became a blank mask. “I don’t expect you to sleep with him,” he told me flatly.

 

Gritting my teeth, I stood, clenching my hands into tight fists at my sides to keep them from shaking. “No. You just expect me to say I will, right? And what will you do to make sure I don’t have to follow through with that promise?”

 

He let out a sigh and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. “Diana, I’m not trying to whore you out.”

 

I barked out a laugh, hurt and anger both coursing through my chest. “Isn’t that what you’re already doing? I’m your personal sex piggy bank, aren’t I? What’s one more donation?”

 

His eyes narrowed at me, his full mouth pulling down into a hard frown. “Damnit, woman. You think I want to use you as bait? Of course I don’t. That piece of shit doesn’t get to touch anything that’s mine and that includes you.”

 

Shaking my head at him, I spat, “You disgust me. I’m not your property, no matter what our deal is. And you can’t just tell me to risk my neck—or my body—for your petty rivalry with some lowdown piece of pond scum that your business dragged up from the bottom of the river. I won’t do it.”

 

“Diana,” he began, but I was already turning away from him.

 

I’d had enough. I went to the door, watching as Louis sidestepped until he was right in front of it. I fixed him with a hard stare. “Move. I’m done here.”

 

His eyes flickered over my shoulder, undoubtedly looking for permission from his boss. I expected to be manhandled back to my chair per Ethan’s orders, but instead I was surprised as Louis moved out of my way. The urge to glance back and see what sort of look Ethan had given him was intense, but I resisted.

 

I reached for the door and jerked it open, but before I could make my exit, Ethan spoke again. “We have to take care of this, Diana.”

 

Despite my better judgment, I glanced over my shoulder at him. He looked just like he always did. Cocky. Gorgeous. Sensual in the most devilish of ways. There wasn’t an ounce of apology on him. He did what he did and he made no bones about it. This was him, take it or leave it. Well, I would leave it. I didn’t care what his deal was. I’d figure out a way around this. His drugs weren’t worth my body or my life.

 

“We don’t have to do anything. You got yourself into this, you can damn sure get yourself out.”

 

“You’re in this, too, Diana,” he pointed out.

 

Turning to face him, but keeping a hand on the doorknob, I fixed him with a steady glare. “Yes, because you forced me into it! I’ve done everything you’ve asked me over the last couple of months. Store your drugs? Check. Deal with your goons—?” I motioned towards Louis. “—Check. Let you fuck me until I—” I broke off, burning with embarrassment.

 

It wasn’t that I’d had sex with him in exchange for not having the other half of my store burned down. I’d done what I had to do and I’d come to terms with that. What embarrassed me now was that I’d grown to like it. I’d come to enjoy, in some way, our time together. What sort of person reacted like that?

 

Clearing my throat, I tried again. “I’ve risked my livelihood and gambled my son’s future. And it’s still not enough for you. Now you want me to risk my own life.”

 

He came around the desk, surprising me with a look that was almost sympathetic. It was so unlike him that I did a double take. He stopped a couple of feet from me. “We have to take care of Tommy. If we don’t, the whole operation is ruined. And that means both you and me will go to prison.” He took a step closer. “Even I don’t have enough connections with the police to keep us in the clear for this.” Another step. “What about Cody’s future then? Momma’s in prison and, what, he goes to daddy?”

 

I slapped him before I had a chance to think it through. The movement was quick—a kneejerk reaction to his words. To the mention of Cody’s father who was the biggest mistake of my life, even now, after everything.

 

Angry tears burned at my eyes, heating my cheeks. “You’re a bastard Ethan Chambers. I won’t let you manipulate my feelings to get what you want. Not this time.”

 

I jerked the door farther open, then slammed it behind me as I left the office. If Ethan or Louis said anything after that, I didn’t hear them. All I could hear was the rushing in my own ears and my clopping boots on the floor of the hall as I stomped away.

 

Whatever happened after this, I promised myself I was done with Ethan. For good.