“More than ready.” Leo returned the grip, holding Beck’s gaze long enough to acknowledge what they both knew. No challenge. No apology. Recognition of a new reality. “Where’s Hux?”
“Running late.” Wyatt claimed his corner of the bar, whiskey appearing without a word exchanged. The panther shifter’s gold gaze missed nothing. “City council ran over. Budget disputes.”
“Riveting,” Beck muttered. “Let’s start without him.”
THIRTY-TWO
LEO
They convened in the back room.
Same space as their first meeting, but the energy was entirely different. The pool table had been pushed aside, replaced by a large table covered in maps, financial documents, and Leo’s meticulous notes. No assessment. No sizing each other up. This was strategy.
“As you already know, Victor’s been targeting the ward anchor intersections.” Leo spread the documents across the table’s surface. “What we now know is where he’ll strike next.”
He pulled out a file of shell company registrations and financial records, the paper trail he’d been building for days. “Sable Acquisitions has made offers on four businesses in the harbor district already. All rejected so far, but his pattern suggests escalation is coming. Create instability, spread rumors, wait for owners to get desperate, then swoop in with lowball offers. It’s what he did at Castellan Ventures on a smaller scale.”
The door opened. Hux slipped in, impeccable despite the late hour, his lion’s grace evident in every movement.
“Apologies.” He surveyed the spread of documents with keen interest. “Councilwoman Marsh wouldn’t stop arguing about parking meters. What did I miss?”
“Victor Sable wants to own Haven Shores or burn it down,” Beck summarized. “Leo’s about to tell us how to stop him.”
“Ah.” Hux’s smile sharpened. “The exciting part.”
“Junie’s shop.” Beck’s voice cut through, drawing every eye. “Moonrise Mixology sits on one of the strongest intersections. That’s why she was hit, isn’t it?”
Leo met his gaze directly. “Her location makes her strategically valuable. The ley line running beneath her property connects to three of the seven ward anchors.”
“She’s been staying at the Siren’s Rest.” Beck’s tone was carefully neutral, but an edge lurked beneath. “Under your protection.”
“Under the town’s protection.” Leo didn’t look away. “I’m not claiming ownership.”
“Aren’t you?”
The question hung in the air like smoke. Theo shot Beck a warning look, but the wolf didn’t back down. His easy charm had dropped entirely, replaced by an honesty that was almost brutal.
“I’m protecting someone who matters to me.” Leo kept his voice even. “The same way you would protect someone who mattered to you.”
Pain flickered across Beck’s features, quickly suppressed. A muscle ticked in his jaw.
“She’s been my friend for years.” The words came rough, reluctant. “I’ve watched idiots come and go, each one failing to see what she was worth. She deserves someone who’ll stay.”
“I’m staying.”
“You have a pride in San Francisco. An empire. A whole life that has nothing to do with this town.”
“I’m. Staying.” Leo let the predator rise enough to add weight to the words. Not a challenge—a promise. “Whatever that requires. Whatever it costs. I’m not leaving her.”
The silence stretched. Four heartbeats. Five.
Beck nodded once, tension easing from his shoulders. The fight went out of him—not in defeat, but in acceptance.
“Okay.” His voice was rough. “Treat her right. She deserves better than she’s gotten.”
“I know she does.”
Theo cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “Now that we’ve established the romance subplot, can we get back to the trap?”
