“Have a good night, Ally,” Meena said as she passed me.
She also grabbed my hand.
I thought that was weird.
Until I felt her pressing something in my palm.
I closed my fingers around what felt like a piece of paper and a jolt of energy surged through me making it hard to keep my voice modulated when I called, “See you tomorrow night.”
“Later, babe,” JoJo called back.
Meena turned back and waved.
But her face said it all.
Fear.
Shit.
I rushed to the dressing room, got dressed, grabbed my stuff and hauled ass. My palms were itching, but I didn’t want anyone to see me reading the note.
So I waited until I was sitting at a stoplight before I yanked the paper out of my pocket, unfolded it and read it.
We pay, or they do it. We talk, and they do it.
They have more guys. Eyes all the time.
We don’t pay or we talk, they’re gonna hurt Smithie.
I stared at the paper.
Then I whispered, “Fuck.”
* * * * *
I sat cross-legged on the bed in my jeans and tee (but I’d flipped off my flip-flops).
Ren was up against the headboard, sheet to his waist, chest on view.
For once, I didn’t appreciate the view. My mind was on other things.
He was studying the note which, incidentally, was what my mind was on.
In other words, I was obsessing over it.
Ren had elected not to go to Smithie’s that night and instead stay in and get some shuteye.
But I’d woken him up after I flipped off my flip-flops and turned on a light.
Then I’d shown him the note.
He looked from it to me. “You want me to put Lucky and Santo on this?”
This surprised me.
“Would Lucky and Santo be helpful?”
“One of many things those two have goin’ for them is everyone underestimates them.” He held my eyes. “Heads up to you, don’t underestimate them.”
I nodded.
That was good to know, and as Curious Rock Chick, also a relief to have that intel.
“So you want me to put them on this?” he pressed.
I leaned toward him and put my hand to his chest. “No, baby. But thanks for the offer.”
“Ally—” he started, his voice cautious, and I knew where he was going.
This was bigger than me. Even bigger than me and Darius.
This needed team play.
So I cut him off in order that he wouldn’t worry. “I have to talk to Lee.”
Ren let out a breath.
I took one in and said, “I had this feeling when it started. It wasn’t bad. It was bad. Darius on it, bringing in Bobby and Brody, I felt better.” I tipped my head to the note. “That? Smithie needs the big guns.”
