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bad, but she quickly realized King orse That last name had been utteredup She had been born into generations of cops, and her grandfather was one of the detectives that had taken Joaquin’s father down Stefano was serving one hundred and thirty-nine years for es, without any possibility of parole In his absence, Joaquin had taken over his father’s empire, only he was a smarter criminal than his father Joaquin re do this”—she waved out at her bar—“as retribution?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Boone replied without hesitation

Rhett runtled noise then ain “If we take this for what it says, someone wants this bar closed down” He turned around, and asked Kinsley, “Do you know of anyone ould want that?”

“Not that I can think of,” she said, then shrugged “I e No one’s made a peep, and my only coht club, and she knew the owner, Bernie, really well “Bernie wouldn’t do this to me”

Dad considered that before nodding in agreeons as possible suspects for now I doubt Bernie has any part in this”

Boone added, “Until we’ve got a better understanding of what’s going on here, stay with , his brow furrowing “This is an odd enough warning that we don’t want to take chances that this isn’t a serious threat against you”

“No”

The hard snap of Rhett’s voice had Kinsley whirling around toward hiht, eyes narrowed “You’re with et to the bottom of this” She parted her lips to point out that was a terrible idea, but Rhett added with an arched brow, “Our child Mine to also protect”

The priht Her heart flipped a few times in her chest, but she also hastily reet overly excited Rhett didn’t do love He protected “Okay,” she finally said

Thick, intense silence followed, and the room pulsated with the very loud state the space between theot a plan” He closed the distance and kissed Kinsley’s forehead “Give us soured out”

“Thanks, I know you will” She couldn’t bring herself to look at Rhett, afraid he’d see right through her The e from her threatened to wash over and break down all the walls that she built up to protect her heart from him

Dad added to Boone, “Keep me updated as the case develops”

“Will do,” Boone replied

While her dad headed for the front door, Kinsley faced her shattered dreaain “I need to callall this isn’t a quick job”

Boone sighed heavily “Yeah, you go do that I’ll send one of the rookies to keep an eye on things here—and on you”