Page 37 of Mystic's Sunrise

I took one step toward the lot, letting the silence stretch.

“Double security,” I said, voice flat. “No one walks in or out without bein’ clocked. I want eyes on the back, front, and both corners. They’re not inside yet—but they’re close.”

Thunder nodded. “You think it’s Dragon Fire?”

“I don’t think,” I muttered. “Iknow.”

Behind us, the sound of the tables carried on. Cards shuffled. Dice rolled. Men laughed over their next win or loss.

But in my gut, I felt it.

The game had already changed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I STOOD INthe shadows, watching Spinner be a complete idiot.

What the hell was he thinking?

Yeah, Fang made it look good—the property cut, the picture, the whole setup, making it seem like he and Lucy were working together. But I didn’t buy it for a second. Zeynep trusted Lucy, and that was enough for me.

I shook my head as I listened.

“Really?” Spinner snapped, yanking Ashlynn closer like a fucking fool. “You think I don’t see it? The secrets, the games. You’ve been playin’ me this whole time.”

“Believe what you want,” Lucy said flatly. “I’m over it. Over you.”

For a moment, they just stared each other down. Then, without a word, Spinner turned to Ashlynn, pulling her against him.

“Come on,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, voice laced with cruelty. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

What the hell was he doing?

“Hold on,” Lucy said, her expression sharp, cutting. She was done with the scene. Done with Spinner.

He stopped, but he didn’t look at her, his jaw flexing as he waited. She moved closer to him and told him something only he could hear before backing away from him.

She bent down, picked up a condom package by her boot, and tossed it at him.

“Wouldn’t want things to get complicated,” she added, giving him a look that only they understood. “You two hurry along and enjoy yourselves. Wouldn’t want the romance to fizzle before the whiskey does.”

Lucy had a way with words, and she was tough as hell. I could respect that. But she was reckless, and that was dangerous.

She turned, her gaze sweeping over Chain, Thunder, and Gearhead as they sat watching. I knew what she was thinking—that they didn’t stand up for her. But it wasn’t their place. She should understand that.

Without another word, she spun on her heel and walked away with her head held high.

I moved further out of the shadows as Spinner and Ashlynn headed my way. I was going to knock some fucking sense into him. The brother was drunk, and he’d regret this come morning.

But I didn’t have to intervene.

“Get lost,” Spinner growled, shoving Ashlynn away.

“What?” she said, still trying to hang on him.

“I made a mistake,” he mumbled, pushing past her and heading inside. “Leave me alone.”

Ashlynn started after him, but I stepped out and grabbed her arm.