Page 10 of Spock’s Snare

Dad's grip tightens around his coffee mug until his knuckles turn white.

“Damn it, Chloe. You think these are the same assholes who have been sabotaging the site?” he asks.

I shrug. “I think so. I don’t know for certain.”

“They’re escalating.” The fear in his voice hits harder than the attack itself.

“They’re escalating,” I agree.

“Why? What do they want? We knew someone was causing problems, but we always thought it was just kids. This attack doesn’t feel like kids.”

I shrug and consider my options. Do I tell him what Puma suspects? If I don’t, he’ll imagine the worst, and that could be worse than the truth.

“The attacks started soon after I won the Inferno Ridge bid. Puma and Spock think that maybe one of our competitors didn’t like the outcome and is trying to force me to quit the project.”

My dad nods once, grimaces, and responds. “Then why not sabotage Inferno Ridge? Why sabotage Riversedge?”

“Because whoever this is isn’t an idiot. Puma explained that if anyone tried to sneak onto their property, they would get caught.”

He chuckles. “He has a point. That would be stupid.” Then he sobers, and I can see by the expression on his face that I’m not going to like what he’s going to say. “Maybe you should pull out of the Inferno Ridge project.”

I’m shaking my head before he finishes the sentence. “Absolutely not. This is my big break. That project will keep us in the black for years. You know how big the project is. We’ll be set for life once we’re done.”

“It’s not worth losing your life. I already lost your mother." His voice softens into something painfully raw. "I'm not losing you too."

I sigh, but I’m not backing down. “You aren’t going to lose me. Puma has offered us protection.”

While I don’t expect him to celebrate the news, his frown catches me off guard. “What? This is a good thing?”

“Is it? Protection from a biker’s club? These men are dangerous, Chloe. When you first mentioned submitting a bid, I wasn’t thrilled. Knowing you were working on their subdivision for the women and children, I figured you couldn’t get in too much trouble. But now you’re under their protection? What does that mean? What is it going to cost you?”

I lean back against the sofa cushions and stare at my father. I’m trying to figure out how to convince him that he has nothing to fear from the Demon Dawgs.

“I’m not scared of them,” I say. “You haven’t spent much time out at Inferno Ridge. They’re good men. What they’re building out there is amazing. It’s a community of people looking out for each other. All Puma is doing is including me under his umbrella. I don’t want to let them down.”

“Maybe we should cancel the contract with Scaro. He can find someone else to finish the apartment complex,” he suggests, changing tactics.

“I’m not quitting,” I tell him. “It would damage the reputation of the company. We need to finish the project. We’re close.”

I study the lines of his face and see the worry creasing around his eyes.

For the first time since this nightmare began, I realize he isn't worried about recovering from his concussion. He's terrified the next ambulance won't come for him, but for me.

I sink farther into the sofa, wrapping both hands around my coffee. It's gone lukewarm, but I barely notice.

“I know you’re worried about me, but I don’t think it is necessary. Puma has offered protection. He’s promised to install security cameras around the entire site. He’s also suggested having members of his club provide added security. If the person behind the attacks sees that the Demon Dawgs are protecting us, they’ll probably stop the attacks.”

Dad lets out a slow breath. “You may be right. If the assholes are too scared to attack Inferno Ridge, they may think twice if they know the Demon Dawgs are protecting the other site, too.”

We sit silently for a few minutes before Dad lets out a soft chuckle.

“What do you find so funny?”

“You. Them. This. When you first told me you were going to bid on their project, I thought you were insane. I tried to talk you out of it. Remember?”

I nod.

“I thought the danger would come from them. I didn’t expect that we’d be turning to them for protection. But you never worried about them being trouble, did you?”