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“You sure about that?” I glared at her, and let my dragon surge closer to the surface to flash in my eyes. “Because we have security camera footage of someone breaking into the garage and planting them. Whoever it was built a hell of a lot like you.”

“Glad to know you remember my build,” Blakely said. She was still angry, but couldn’t keep the coy edge out of her voice. “But thatwasn’tme. All I did last night was watch a bad horror movie and pass out.”

She wasn’t lying. My dragon could sense the truth in her words.

“Fuck,” I muttered. I stepped away from her front door and pinched the bridge of my nose. If Blakely hadn’t planted the drugs, then who did? I didn’t know any other women who were so keen on ruining my life. Who the hell would do something like that?

If it wasn’t Blakely, it had to be Sean. Had he hired someone? As much as I hated the thought, itwasfeasible. Maybe he hired some desperate girl from one of those shit bars he frequented, offered her drugs or booze or whatever, and told her to plant the rest in my garage. Then, he’d called in the anonymous tip. If the photos he had weren’t good enough to get me locked up again, drugs on the premises might be.

“Is that it?” Blakely stepped out of her apartment and into the parking lot, wincing at the asphalt under her bare feet. “You just came here to accuse me of breaking into your shop?”

“Well, youdidthreaten me after I banned you from the clan premises. Sue me for making a logical leap.”

“You’re such an asshole.” Her eyes shone bright with unshed tears. “For a second I thought you might actually be here to apologize.”

“Apologize?” I raised my eyebrows. “You tried to permanently ruin my relationship with my mate more than once.”

“Ace—”

“I can admit when I’m wrong. I know you’re not lying about planting the drugs, at least.”

“Of course I’m not.” She pouted. “Why don’t you come inside and have a cup of coffee? Sounds like you’ve had a stressful morning.”

“Jesus Christ, Blakely, give it up.” I turned back toward my motorcycle, eager to get home to see my mate and my son, when my dragon suddenly snapped into alertness.

Something was heading our way. The distant roar of an engine suddenly became louder.

A black truck tore down the highway and sped into the parking lot, taking the turn so hard the tires squealed, and the truck rocked to the side. The tinted window on the passenger side rolled down, and I saw the unmistakable dark gleam of a pistol. Whoever was holding it was masked, wearing a beanie like the girl in the security footage.

The gun fired. I leaped backward and grabbed Blakely instinctively, hauling her down behind a nearby car. Bullets went flying in short succession. Blakely screamed and covered her ears, huddling close to me. The sedan rocked as the bulletshit it, and more slammed into the brick behind us, showering us in dust.

Voices shouted from the truck, but they were indistinguishable. My sharp dragon ears caught theclickof an empty magazine, and I stood up from behind the truck, fangs and claws extended.

“Oh, shit!” someone shouted from the truck. “Go, go!”

The truck peeled out from the parking lot as fast as it had arrived. I had half a mind to shift and chase them down, but between Blakely and the 911 calls I was sure were being made, I knew that’d cause more problems than it would solve. This day was just getting better and better.

“They’re gone,” I said to Blakely, who was still cowering behind the sedan. “Get up.”

“You saved me,” Blakely said softly. Her face was tear-stained, and she was shaking from fear. “Ace, yousavedme.”

Great. Just what I needed. “Yeah, I would’ve pulled a stray dog out of the way, too, because it’s the right thing to do. This doesn’t change a damn thing about your status in Lakeview, so don’t go getting delusional again.”

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’re such an asshole, Ace,” she snapped as she stormed back into her apartment.

The ploy for sympathy only irritated me more. I paced back toward my motorcycle and leaned against it while I waited for the inevitable arrival of the cops.

More people in the apartment complex had stepped out onto their balconies to see what was going on. When the sirens announced the cops’ approach, Blakely stepped back outside, cradling a mug of coffee.

That damned black SUV pulled in. I really couldn’t catch a break today, huh?

“Why am I not surprised to seeyouhere?” Forrest asked as he slammed his door. “You want to tell me what mess you and your thugs have gotten into now?”

“I think you’d get a lot more done if you tried to track down that truck that shot at us. Or you can go ahead and help whoever owns this sedan file an insurance claim for the damage.”

“You think you’re a real hoot, don’t you?”

“She’ll tell you what happened.” I nodded toward Blakely. “Start there.”