Page 16 of Spock’s Snare

Steven smiles faintly.

"That's smart. I’m surprised you got him to agree, but I guess being daddy’s girl has its uses."

I frown at his comment, but shrug it off. “He knew I was worried about him. He also knows that it isn’t smart to wander around a construction zone without all your faculties. I think he’s still feeling the effect of the blow.”

“Does he remember anything about who attacked him?”

I shake my head. “He remembers coming in here, but he doesn’t know why.”

"I've been thinking. I was talking to Spock yesterday after you left. He said that you think these attacks started after you won the bid for Inferno Ridge.”

“That’s what I told him. I don’t know for certain if the timelines mesh up, but it seems like that’s when I started noticing we had a problem. Whoever is doing this was subtle at the beginning. I may have missed the signs if it started earlier.”

“Maybe you should back out of the contract.”

I frown. “Why would I do that? It would destroy my business. Not only would we get a bad reputation, but the Demon Dawgs could sue me. No, I signed the contract. I’ll see it through. Besides, I’m enjoying the project.”

“That biker, Spock, is it? He said that whoever is behind the attacks may be angry that you won the bid and are trying to put you out of business.”

“All the more reason why I won’t give up.”

"Chloe, I'm trying to be practical."

"So am I."

"No construction contract is worth somebody getting killed."

The words land harder than I expect.

"I know that."

"Do you?" His voice stays gentle, almost painfully patient. "Because from where I'm standing, you've got vandals escalating into attempted murder. Your father nearly died. If this keeps going..." He lets the sentence trail off before adding quietly, "Maybe it's time to let someone else finish the job."

Something inside me stiffens. I've heard that tone before. Not from Steven specifically, but from men who've decided they know what's best for me.

"I appreciate your concern."

"I mean it."

"I know."

"Then think about it."

"I already have."

His eyebrows lift.

"I'm not quitting."

"Chloe—"

"No." I square my shoulders. "We earned this contract. We submitted the best proposal, we won it fairly, and we're going to build that community for them."

"Even if someone is targeting you?"

"No one is going to tell me how to run my business."

Steven studies me for a long moment.