Allegiance - Chiah Wilder Page 0,59

he’s using the bikers to put the squeeze on us so we’ll leave. The greedy man wants this real estate so he can build condos and become richer. He’s the one paying the bikers to scare us.” She glanced toward the window. “You can see what happens if we don’t pay.”

Lena’s heart sank to the pit of her stomach. “Wait, so you’re telling me—”

“The sheriff won’t do a thing for you, so don’t hold your breath. Stay the strong, beautiful woman you are, and hopefully, we can nip this in the bud on our own or go down swinging.”

Lena didn’t mention that their very livelihoods were on the line, and now wasn’t exactly the time to play fast and loose with a bunch of thugs. Clearly the men had no issue taking anything from any one of them if they didn’t comply. She rubbed her arm, remembering the asshole who had grabbed her the last time. Lupita gave her a giant bear hug. For such a small woman, she was strong.

“You be careful tonight. We have to stick together, you hear me?”

“I’m sure we can find someone to help us. I can’t believe the entire town is corrupt.”

“The Fitzgerald name is powerful in Santa Teresita. The best we can do is watch out for each other.”

“Of course. Yes, you’re right.”

While Lupita took her usual sandwich, Lena couldn’t get her mind off the fact that everything she thought was safe, right, and truthful, was a downright lie. It was as if her whole world had been turned upside down in an instant. Had she become so naïve to come to a place that held happy and loving memories of the summers she’d spent with her parents that she’d seen every exchange in this town with rose-colored glasses?

Am I that clueless? She now knew the sheriff was paid, and that explained why nothing had happened on the case. I wonder if the DA is on Fitzgerald’s payroll. Then a thought she didn’t want to have pushed through her mind: was Tank in Fitzgerald’s pocket too? Maybe that was the connection he had to Quinn. Maybe Fitzgerald was funding Tank’s printing business? Stop! This is insane. One thing was certain, she wasn’t going to keep paying the thugs, even if that meant moving the restaurant to another location. Though it felt like that would be giving in to Fitzgerald and all the immoral things he stood for.

She glanced at Adalyn and Sarah. “Let’s close up early. I think we all need a break.” All she could think about was sitting on her balcony, sipping a glass of wine, and watching the blue expanse of the ocean. Of course, thoughts of Tank would pop into her mind—they did every time she was alone. It had been several days since she’d seen him, but her body still ached for him. As much as she hated to admit it, she missed him. A lot.

More than a week had gone by since Gus’s place had been torched. Lena had been wrestling with her thoughts on whether to stick it out in a corrupt town that now overshadowed the fond memories she’d once had, or sell the condo and start fresh in a new place. The answers eluded her.

As usual, Lena was the last one in the restaurant. As she was wiping down the counters in the kitchen, there was a familiar knock on the locked glass door. They were early, by at least three days. But now that she knew Sheriff Windsor was crooked, she wasn’t surprised. Her jaw set and her muscles tensed as she walked to the front of the bistro. Before she went around the corner, she hit the Record button on her phone and slipped it into her apron. The money they were there to collect was already in an envelope in her hand. She wanted the encounter to be quick.

“Back again early, I see. Couldn’t wait to get what you think is your cut, boys?” she asked as she opened the front door. She barely let them in before shoving the money into their hands. “I won’t fight you today. There’s fifteen percent of my profits.”

“You finally got the fuckin’ memo to cooperate, sweet cheeks.” Cougar reached out to cup her chin.

Lena took a quick step back, nearly losing her balance. “You’ll never touch me again. Do you understand?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t fuckin’ tell me what to do, bitch. Just because you were good in this hand off doesn’t mean shit.