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The bells chimeas I push open the heavy door of Sugar & Spice Bakery. It's always busy here, and not just because it's one of two bakeries in town. But their food is genuinely delicious.
It's just a shame that one of their head bakers hates my guts. To my credit, she hates me on principle, not because I did anything personally.
I pull a number from the red ticket dispenser by the door and stand behind the handful of people waiting to grab pastries and coffee.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out. I swallow down the groan at Silas's name flashing across the screen.
“What's up,” I answer.
“Where are you and where the hell is Bane? Why am I the only one at work right now? And I thought you were going to look after Hunter today, give Ma a break.”
“Jesus, man, did you even take a breath?”
“No,” he snaps. “I don't have time to take a breath. There's shit we need to discuss, and it's best talked about in person, yeah?”
My stomach clenches. Silas only ever gets cagey about talking on the phone when it's club business. “Shit.”
“Shit is right, brother. I'm going to need you. Tonight.”
Fuck. “What's the threat level?”
I know he thinks I'm being flippant, and I'll never move up in the club if I don't take this shit seriously—something he's told me numerous times. But Rosewood is so squeaky clean now. Sometimes we get pulled in for stupid shit that the sheriff's office should handle.
He sighs. “I need you to visit some friends of ours out west. Tonight.”
Everything inside of me freezes. “How west?”
“Not far. Maybe three hours or so,” he replies evenly.
I exhale. So not thosefriends. Thank fuck because the Black Serpents might be allies, but it's reluctant as best.
But wait. Three hours west is prime Savage Souls territory. Or it was until we ran most of them off. My heart kicks inside my chest, anger unfurling inside my gut like a poisonous plant.
“I thought we were out of the game. You tryin' to move us back on the board?”
There's a beat of silence. “I'm going to pretend you didn't just insult the fuck out of me.”
I run my hand over my face and expel a breath. “Yeah, shit. Sorry.” I don't need to tell him that I panicked a little bit. There's no way in hell he's forgotten all the shit Savage Souls did by not aligning with us all those years ago.
“Look, I'll give you all the details later. But I need you and Bane on this.”
What he means is that he doesn't trust anyone else to handle it. A fissure of pride worms its way into my bruised heart, filling one of the many, many cracks with warmth.
“Yeah, alright. I'll swing over a little later. I thought Ma said she was taking Hunter to the beach today though, so I made other plans.”
“Fine,” he says with a sigh. “She did, but I thought it might be too much for her.”
I snort. “I would love to be there when you tell her that it's too much for her to take her grandbaby to the beach.”
“I meant about her shoulder, asshole,” he grumbles.
My number is finally called, and I glance up to see one pissed off Carter girl. If I hadn't seen her with Jagger last year, or with my girl last week, I would've assumed that's her standard expression. Guess I'm just special.
“Yeah, I know. Look, I gotta go. I'll see you later, yeah?”
“Sure. And if you find Bane, tell him to call me back. That asshole has been dodging my calls since yesterday.”
“Will do. Later.” I end the call and stuff my phone into my pocket as I stroll toward the bakery case.
