to look around?”
“Not yet. My men need to make sure the roof isn’t damaged. Can’t have it falling on anyone.”
“Could you tell how it started?”
“Appeared some kind of incendiary device was thrown through the front window. There’s a lot of flammable stuff in the store, T-shirts, carpeting, and such.”
“How about the garage? Can I get in there?”
He shakes his head. “Just let us do our jobs, okay. I’ll let you know as soon as you can check the damage.”
I nod, because arguing will get me nowhere. I spot Gully and motion him over. “Soon as we can get access I need you to try to pull up the security footage. Hopefully, they aren’t destroyed. I want the motherfucker that did this.”
“You got it, boss.”
Reno stands next to me. “Your girl’s involved with a mafia hit, you give her protection, and now your garage burns. You think this is a coincidence?”
“Nope.”
“Fucking hell.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to rain down on the Rialtos.”
I straighten, fear chasing down my spine at the thought of Ashlynn. I dig my phone out and call her. She picks up on the second ring. Thank God.
“Hey, babe.” She sounds sleepy, like I woke her.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice gruff with the emotion constricting my chest.
She’s sounds more awake now. “Yes. Why? What’s wrong?”
“The shop was set on fire tonight.”
“Oh my God. Is everyone okay? Is it all gone?”
“No one was inside. It’s still standing. I’ll find out how bad it is when the firemen finish. Garage side looks in one piece.”
“How did it start?”
I almost tell her, but I’m suddenly struck by the thought that she’ll immediately jump to the conclusion it’s because of her. She does that, I’m afraid she’ll run. And I sure don’t want to give her a head start. Suddenly I need to get to her.
“Might have been electrical,” I lie. “I’ll be there in a few minutes. Reno’s gonna stick around and see what they say.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“See you soon, babe.”
I disconnect. Reno must have heard what I told her. He pats my shoulder. “I got this prez. Go. You and I both know this might just be a distraction so they can get to her.”
I nod. “Call the boys. Pull them all back to the clubhouse.” I’m already throwing my leg over my bike and starting it up.
“Will do.” He’s got his phone in his hand, already making the call.
I race to the clubhouse, blasting through the gate the prospect opens for me. I almost fishtail stopping to shout at him. “They may be looking to hit us here. Nobody gets in without a patch.”
He nods, and I roar off to the door. The old warehouse is big with a lot of concrete and loading docks, and thankfully eight-foot chain-link fencing and razor wire on top surround it. Thing about fences though, they’re easy to cut through. Fortunately the warehouse itself only has a few access points.
I park my bike and stride inside. First patch I see I order him to secure all the doors with chains and padlocks and put a man on each. No one’s getting in my fucking clubhouse. The fact that my enemies are capable of turning to arson doesn’t escape my thoughts. They set the place on fire, padlocks may be the worst move I could make. I’m going to have to take the chance that my men can keep the place defended and keep anyone from getting close enough to set a fire.
I find Ashlynn in my room. She’s pacing when I throw the door open, but flings her arms around my middle, burying her face in my cut. I cup the back of her head and press a kiss to her temple. “You okay?”
She nods and lifts her face. “You?”
“I’m good.”
“Don’t lie to me, Rusty. Was it arson?”
I nod. “Looks that way, Hot Rod.”
“Do you think it’s the Rialto brothers?”
“I don’t know. Hoping I can get a shot of who did it when we get access to the security footage.”
“Oh God. This is my fault. I brought this down on you, and now look. Your beautiful garage is destroyed.”
“Babe, it’s not burned to the ground. The store area took the worst. I can rebuild it.”
“I should go back to the house.”
“Told you, safest place is here.”
“No, I can’t stay here. I—”
“I can’t protect you if you won’t fucking listen and do what I tell you.”
“I should go. I can’t do this to you. I never meant for you to be hurt.”
She pushes out