He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Still can’t get a lock on Alice.”
Despite knowing Ryland had taken to the new prospects, and Gage in particular, this felt like a lot more than being concerned because she was Gage’s sister.
“Do you two have a history I don’t know about?” I asked, getting right to the point.
“No, that’s the fucking thing,” he ground out. “After I saw her picture, something just… clicked into place. Then I started learning more about her through what I could find and what Cason dug up for me. And I just need to make sure she’s okay. Can’t explain it beyond that.” He grunted in frustration.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s enough for me. Cason helping out?”
He nodded. “As much as he can, but I know he’s razor-focused on Pike, as he should be.”
“Happy to put in a call to Gunner. He’s good with this shit as well. He could maybe lend a hand.”
“Appreciate it.” Ryland didn’t hesitate to accept the offer, confirming how important this was to him.
“Consider it done,” I agreed. “Cason back there?”
“Yep,” he confirmed as I strode toward the control room, unsurprised to find Cason in front of the monitors set up for a variety of purposes.
“Pike’s doing a hell of a job staying off the grid,” he announced by way of greeting. “He’s good.” His frustration was evident, but nothing was a match for Cason East’s tenacity.
“But you’re better,” I pointed out. “And he’s losing men; he’s weak.”
We’d been able to identify a few of Pike’s guys that had recently left the Revs and had been willing to talk. They’d identified some of Pike’s previous hideouts now that they’d abandoned the previous headquarters. Unfortunately, the intel had yet to turn anything up.
Despite how quiet it had been, I could feel something looming. After my years in the SEALs, I had a good sense of when an enemy was preparing to strike.
And that time was coming soon.
Chapter 21
GRACE
“Ilove it.” Lanie beamed later that morning as she admired her new haircut from my chair. We’d gone bold with her blonde hair, cutting it from shoulder length into a sleek bob that made her blue eyes pop.
“I’m glad. It looks great on you.” I smiled, relieved she liked it. Out of all the girls, Lanie seemed the most reserved, so I’d been pleasantly surprised when she’d suggested such a big change. “And I bet Cason will agree.” I winked, making her blush.
“Am I that obvious?” she groaned.
“I’m just observant,” I assured her with a gentle smile. It’d been clear to me early on that she had a crush on him. And though I’d noticed his gaze tended to linger on her when he swept a room, beyond that I couldn’t tell if he returned her feelings. “Has anything ever happened between you two?”
“Not even a handshake.” She sighed. “Sometimes I don’t think he even knows I exist. I should just move on.”
“Or, you could make a move.” I raised a brow at her in the mirror as I unbuttoned the smock.
“Right,” she scoffed, standing up and shaking out her hair. “Though maybe my new do will give me newfound courage.” She grinned just as Joanie walked in.
“Oh, honey, that looks amazing.” She beamed at Lanie. “You look like a runway model. Are we still doing your nails?”
“Yep. I’m going to walk out of here a new woman.” She smiled as Joanie gestured for her to take a seat at the nail station.
While she might not have been great at hair, she was hell on wheels with nails. Joanie loved all things bright and bold, which translated far better to a manicure or pedicure.
I’d convinced her to give it a chance as a way to expand our clientele, and it had been a hit right off the bat.
When my next client walked in, Kelly, the barista from next door, I waved in greeting. I didn’t know her personally but saw her often enough, what with my caffeine addiction and all.
For security reasons, Ruston had asked that we stop taking walk-ins so they could vet anyone coming into the salon. Luckily, with our demand increasing by the day, taking clients by appointment only hadn’t been a problem.
