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The building had an old-world feel with its arched windows, chipped-paint corbels, and a rooftop lookout that had an iron fence around it.
Hanging off an iron rod above the medieval castle double doors was a gunmetal sign with “Zero Crow” embossed in a silvery blue and entwined around a horseshoe.
I climbed out of the car as my cell rang, and I glanced at the screen—Ethan’s name flashed.
Shit. I thought about ignoring it, but if I continued to put him off, I wouldn’t put it past him to jump on a plane. I slid my finger across the screen and placed it to my ear.
“Hey.”
Ethan’s deep, abrupt voice vibrated in the phone. “Macadamia. What the hell? I’ve been calling for three days. Jackson okay?”
“Yeah, sorry. Just really busy.”
“How’s Jacks?”
It was always his first question. “He’s fine. Loves his Aquaman.” Ethan had sent it to him when we first moved here.
“Need anything?”
“No. We’re good.”
“What did you do today?”
I tucked the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I reached inside the car for my purse. “We went on the coaster down the mountain.”
A rough snort emerged. “You went down the mountain on a sled?”
“Yeah.” I shut the car door and walked across the gravel drive toward the massive, wooden double doors that looked as though they’d been stolen from a Scottish castle.
“He like it?”
My chest warmed. “He laughed.”
“Guess he doesn’t take after you.”
I stiffened and my insides pretzeled. “Listen, I just got to work. Can we talk later this week?”
Silence, but I heard the rustle of clothing as if he was either changing out of his gear, or putting it on.
“Why won’t you tell me, Macayla?”
Because I’d never take the chance of losing Jackson again.
Because if he knew, he’d end up in jail.
Because I didn’t want anyone to know the truth, especially Jackson.
“I know you don’t want me to tell Dad where you are and about Jackson, but….” Rowdy voices erupted in the background along with what sounded like hockey sticks banging the floor, drowning him out. “Shit. One sec. Let me go—”
“Ethan, I’m walking into work. Gotta go.”
Before he had a chance to reply, I hung up and switched my cell to silent and shoved it into my back jean pocket. I knew it was only a matter of time before he’d show up here. I’d managed to delay him meeting Jackson for months, and now the season had kicked off, so he wouldn’t be able to get away. But eventually, I’d have to face him.
I put my hand on the brass doorknob and inhaled a ragged breath.
I pulled open the heavy door and stepped inside the dimly lit bar. My stomach lurched when the smell of cologne and cigarette smoke drifted over me.
Great. This was going to be a fun shift.
