Page 144 of Stone: The Precursor

“That she’s a target.”

Riggs’s low curse makes me strain harder, wanting to hear it all.She? Who?

“I want a guard on her.”

“We only have Scout. Cade is injured and Easton is on watch. Maybe Jace can?—”

Hearing my brother’s name, I perk up.What does Jace have to do with all this?

“No, I’m not involving him in this. He just had his daughter.”

“She’s his sister, Stef. He would want to know.” Riggs continues, and my thoughts race a mile a minute.

“I said no.” Stone tone is harsh, adamant.

“We don’t have time to consider your sensitive feelings, Stef. Just tell him. He’ll get over it.”

“What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me. He has the resources to keep her safe while we deal with this.”

“It’s not his concern.”

“Are you sure about that?”

They sound so angry, and I’m worried they will hurt each other.

Opening the door, I step through. “Sure about what?”

“Shit.” Riggs looks my way, his expression a mixture of anger and worry.

Stone turns, “Go upstairs.”

I shake my head and step further into his shop. “I’m not going anywhere. I want to know what you were talking about. What does my brother have to do with anything and why do I need some sort of protection?”

Onyx walks toward me and touches my arm gently. He doesn’t talk much, but I feel his worry. He leaves, and I watch him go. Something is wrong. I can feel it.

“We just think?—”

“Not another word, Riggs.”

Riggs looks my way again. He wants to protest, but instead he walks out, slamming the door. It’s the first time I’ve seen himthis angry. Stone bows his head, cursing. Tension radiates off him, and I can see the strain in his muscles.

“What the hell is going on?” I walk to Stone and touch his back. He shrugs me off, and I feel like I’ve been burned. He doesn’t want my comfort, my concern. “I have a right to know!”

“Why? Because I’ve fucked you?” He turns on me, his face masked in fury.

The bitter words burn like acid in my stomach. “Yes! Yes, you arrogant son of a bitch! Yes, because you fuck me every night, all night!” I pound my chest, hating the cold look on his face. The emotional distance between us yawns like a cavern. “My gallery was vandalized, Stone! I have an artist showing in three days! So absofuckinglutely yes!” I spin around and point at the damage. “I don’t know what this all means! And the cryptic looks and silences are getting on my fucking nerves. My life just got turned upside down, and apparently, it has something to do with you! I deserve to know the truth!”

“If you just do what I say, then it won’t have to do with you! Go upstairs! Call your insurance company. Stay with your brother. Stay with your friends.”

“But—”

“Goddammit, Camryn, will you just fucking do it!? You can’t be here! Jesus Christ! What don’t you get right now!? This isn’t some game! I don’t have time to fuck around with you!”

This time, his words cut me to the quick, more than just hurting me. I know we are just having sex, but to say it in front of them like I’m just a piece of ass is devastating. He walks away, slamming through the doors.

When I head back inside my studio, Riggs and Onyx are kneeling, sweeping up the glass on the floor. They look up at me, pity in their eyes. They clearly heard us arguing, but I won’t let them see my tears.