Bound (Mastered #1)(91)

"See? You're quiet because you can't justify it."

"I took you to a Christian rock concert," she corrected. "And it correlates because the lead singer and I are from the same area in North Dakota. We attended some of the same church camps. He always wanted to kick up the youth worship services with contemporary music to make it more relatable. You can imagine how well that went over. Rick left town, moved to Minneapolis, and started this band. I'd lost track of him over the years, so when I saw how popular they've gotten in the Christian music scene and were playing in Denver, I thought it'd be fun to check it out."

"I was surprised to see so many people there. Who knew the devil's music wrapped in angel's wings had such a strong following?"

Amery elbowed him. "Not funny." 

"Although I wasn't sure if I was disappointed or relieved there weren't any animal sacrifices onstage."

"Says the Buddhist with an altar in his practice room."

"It's not a Buddhist altar; it's a Shinto shrine. And if you noticed, I didn't buy a CD, but I was in the minority, so they are doing well, at least on the merchandising side."

"I'm happy he's successful doing what he loves. Not everyone is so lucky in their working lives."

He kissed her temple. "We are."

"For as long as it lasts for me."

"Meaning what?" They cut across the street and walked past abandoned buildings that lined both sides of the block. Showing up late to the event meant all the prime parking spots close to the venue had been snapped up, so they'd parked several blocks away.

"Meaning I've been scrambling to find new business. With so many places taking their graphic needs in-house, not only have I lost clients, but it's harder picking up new ones. I've tightened my belt as much as I can, but unless things pick up soon, I'll have to let Molly go."

Ronin stopped and faced her. "Amery. Why haven't you told me this?"

"Because it's hard to admit, especially to someone who's running a successful business. I doubt you've got downward trends like in the line of work I'm in."

"I've had some pretty lean years and done what I had to, to make ends meet." He brushed a stray hair from her cheek. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Besides line me up a million-dollar client?" she joked. Then she kissed the frown on his mouth. "Kidding. One good thing is even if I have to close up shop and go to work for another company, I won't lose my apartment because of the storefront rental income from Emmylou and Chaz. It's just I feel guilty about Molly."

A metal clank echoed and she spun around to see where the noise had come from. But there weren't any streetlights and the area was completely deserted.

How could that be? For as many people who'd attended the show, there should be more people heading back to their cars. But the sidewalk was empty and no cars zipped by. She got a little creeped out in the eerie silence. "Are we going the right way?"

Ronin looked around. Frowned at the darkness. "This doesn't look right. We must've gotten turned around and exited on the wrong side. My car is the other direction."

They reversed course. Right after they crossed the street, two guys stepped out of the shadows.

Amery almost screamed, they'd slunk out of nowhere so fast.

"I see we got us some tourists in our neighborhood," one guy said to the other.

"Know what we do to tourists who find themselves 'lost' in our neighborhood, bro?" the other guy said.

"We charge them a finder's fee."

"So pay up, motherfuckers."

Fear slammed into her.

The two guys moved in uncomfortably close. She heard a noise and looked over her shoulder to see two more guys spread out behind them.

They were fucked.

Then Ronin put his mouth on her ear. "Stay behind me and out of the way."

"I don't like you whispering to your bitch, so knock that shit off and pay the fuck up."



       
         
       
        

Ronin said nothing. But she noticed he'd maneuvered them so she was behind him and his back was to the wall.

The Hispanic guy taunted, "Don't got nothin' to say, ése? We're insulting your woman and you're gonna stand there and take it?" Then he leered at Amery. "Got a mind to prove to you what it's like to be with a real man, puta. Make him watch how I can make you scream."

Laughter echoed around them.

"None of that yet, bro." The other guy gestured with his chin to Ronin and crossed his arms over his chest. "Hand over your wallet, watch, and everything in your pockets. Do it fast."