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She clenched her hands to not let him see her shaking. “Okay, well, it’s mine now. So…sorry that you lost the chance to buy it.”
A crooked smile tugged on his lips.
The air shifted around her, the iciness of the danger filling the space between them. She glanced around, finding no one near her, though Peyton was staring hard at this exchange while she checked Betty-Anne out, then Remy moved closer. “Listen, I told you before, I have nothing to do with Damon. He tried to swindle my inheritance. Now he’s in prison. That’s all. Like I said, I have nothing to do with him.”
Lars dropped his eye level to hers. “That is still left to be seen.”
Remy’s heart promptly landed in her throat and her insides felt like they were quivering. Before she could even find the words to answer him, another voice said, “We haven’t met.”
Remy slowly turned, hearing the absolute control in Asher’s voice. She realized he must have come through the back door, and she found his expression blank. He slung his arm around her, tugging her back to him, stealing the fear that crept up.
He offered his hand to Lars, like he had no idea who he was. “Detective Asher Sullivan.”
As cool and collected as Asher, Lars shook his hand. “Lars Violi.” His gaze swept over Asher’s protective arm around Remy before settling on Asher again.
“Thank you for coming out today to support the grand opening,” Asher said. “Do you need any help finding anything?”
Lars’s gaze flicked to Remy. “Nah, I’ve found everything that I’ve needed.” He smiled at Asher, all teeth and coldness. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Detective.” To Remy, he dipped his chin a little. “I’ve got no doubt I’ll see you again.”
“I would advise against that,” Asher warned.
Lars’s gaze cut back to Asher. “I’m sure you would.” He left as calmly through the front door as he’d walked in.
“Who was that?” Peyton said behind Remy.
“Trouble,” Asher said, then ran his hands down Remy’s arms as if he knew she was chilled to her bones. “What did he say to you?” he asked gently.
Her mind felt scattered, lost of all things but the honest fear raging through her veins. “He said he had inquired about my shop.”
“To buy it, you mean?” Asher asked.
Remy shrugged. “It kind of sounded like that.”
“Well, whatever it is, I don’t like it,” Peyton said. “That guy gave me the total creeps.”
“You and me both,” Remy agreed. She turned to Asher. “You still can’t find out a connection to him and Damon?”
Asher ex
haled a long breath before responding. “Not yet.” He must have seen her worry, because he tugged her into his embrace, and she went willingly, needing his warmth. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t find out why he’s here and what in the hell he wants.” He stared down at her, tucking her hair behind her ear. “He won’t get close again. I promise you that.”
“Remy,” Kinsley called, standing on the other side of the store. “Can we get some help over here?”
“Yes. Yes, of course,” Remy said. She stepped out of Asher’s arms and asked, “Do you think I should start worrying now?”
Asher hesitated, then offered, “I’m going to get a cruiser to sit outside your place, just to keep an eye on things, until we know what we’re facing. All right?”
Of course that only told her that yes, she totally had something to worry about. Not a very settling thought.
It took everything inside of her to fully step away, not really wanting to create distance between her and his strength. There was no denying that she’d always felt better in his arms than out of them. And Lars was scary. Really scary.
Her emotions must have showed, since Asher squeezed her hand. “You’re going to be okay.”
She drew in a long breath and put on a brave face, then turned to face him. “I know. I’ve got you watching my back, how could anything go wrong?”
The quick flash of surprise and honest warmth in Asher’s expression made the chill from Lars quickly vanish. Remy smiled at him, then strode toward Kinsley and the customer waiting, trying so desperately not to allow Lars to ruin the best day of her life.
Chapter 12
