Page 38 of Lex

“Oh, shit,” Summer hissed, instantly recognizing the thug who’d broken into her home and then chased them through the city yesterday, along with his dead partner.

“That’s Holt’s ex,” Ace told Dougherty, and the Mechanic’s mouth tightened around the cigar.

“Well, fancy meeting you here, Mrs. Holt.” Dougherty tightened his grip on the wrench.

No one moved, and Lex slowly slid his hand around to his back, fingers wrapping around the Glock’s grip. Mrs. Holt. He fucking hated that title. Wanted to smash it to smithereens. And, quite possibly, give Summer an entirely new last name. Perhaps, his name.

But there wasn’t time to dwell on that now.

Because right now, the last thing he wanted was a fucking standoff. But there they were, and when it came to protecting Summer, Lex wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

Chapter fifteen

Lex stood in front of Summer, blocking her from any potential harm, and she sucked in a breath as he reached for the gun holstered at his back. Oh, God. She didn’t want to be in another shoot-out. Really, really didn’t want that.

“Wait!” she cried, grabbing Lex’s sleeve and trying to peer around his large frame. “Can we please just talk before bullets start flying? Again,” she added in exasperation.

“Hang on now,” Dougherty said, shifting nervously and tilting his chin at Ace. “She’s right. Let’s not get crazy.”

After a brief hesitation, the thug brought both hands back into view. Empty. No weapon. That was a good start. But Summer noticed Lex didn’t budge. He still gripped the gun, and she was willing to bet he could whip it out of the holster and kill both men between blinks. She wasn’t sure if that made her feel better or worse.

“Stay behind me, Summer,” Lex growled.

“I have some questions, too,” Dougherty said, voice low and menacing. “Like where the hell is your ex-husband?”

“I have no idea where Scott is, or what he’s caught up in. I was hoping you could tell me.”

Dougherty hesitated, then snapped, “Your ex was supposed to transport a container for me, but he disappeared with the goods. Fucker stole them, and now the client is pissed. I want to know where Holt is hiding. Any ideas?”

“No,” Lex answered. “And neither of us appreciates you sending men to break into her house and threaten her.” He tossed a glare at Ace.

“I know that asshole stole it, and we need to have a little chat about what went down. When a shipment goes missing, it makes everyone involved look guilty, and it fucks up my business reputation.”

“Not our problem,” Lex stated. “Summer has nothing to do with it, and she has no idea where Scott is, so you’re going to back the fuck off and leave her alone. Got it?”

“I think we’re done here,” Dougherty forced between clenched teeth.

Summer tugged on the back of Lex’s shirt, wanting to get out of there before shit escalated further. “Let’s go,” she whispered.

Lex’s profile looked harder than granite, and he gave a sharp nod. Moving sideways, still making sure to keep her body blocked, he refused to turn his back as they left the shop. Probably a very smart idea. She may not have had any idea what kind of business they were involved in, but she knew Dougherty and Ace couldn’t be trusted. No way.

“If you hear from your useless ex, let me know,” Dougherty called after them. “We have unfinished business.” Lex slammed the door in answer.

Back in the car, Summer chewed on her thumbnail. “This is so typical of Scott. Transport something—probably illegal—for cash.” She heaved out a heavy sigh. “Knowing him, he didn’t ask any questions. Just pocketed the money and then got hijacked on the way to the buyer.”

“Or stole it himself,” Lex suggested. “Maybe he found a higher bidder.”

She frowned. For all she knew, Lex could be right. It was hard for her to believe Scott had become an outright criminal, but she hadn’t kept in touch with him and had no idea what shady shit he’d done—intentionally or otherwise.

“Or,” Lex continued flatly, “he’s dead.”

Mixed emotions pummeled her. She’d certainly never wish death on anyone, even Scott. Sure, he was a fuckup, but he’d always been harmless. As she tried to wrap her head around him possibly being dead, having likely been murdered, her phone rang. Reaching into her purse, she pulled it out and her jaw dropped.

“He’s not dead,” she told Lex. “He’s calling.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lex blurted out, pulling over to the side of the road. He shoved the car in park as Summer took a deep breath and answered, hitting the speaker button.

“Scott?” she ground out, clutching the phone tightly.