But when he’d told her they needed to talk about her debt, she’d known. He wasn’t from a rival club and he hadn’t come for a friendly chat. He was Kings of Doom, and he’d come for her.
She’d approached him warily, certain he wouldn’t grab her with witnesses who could identify him, but scared nonetheless. That’s when he’d told her, in low tones meant only for her, what he expected from her.
Seventy-five grand in one week, or he’d take Ana. Running wasn’t an option either. Not unless she ran with Bailey and Ana both, but she pushed that thought away as quickly as it formed. She was not ruining her sister’s life and happiness by even suggesting it.
She vaguely remembered the man from the Kings. He wasn’t someone she’d have thought would take over, but considering they’d been decimated after the SEAL raid on their compound, he was probably the most senior member left. And he was determined to reclaim the club glory and their territory.
She’d been trying to remember his name. It finally came to her when she was shampooing Mrs. Talbot. His name was Dal Gentry and he’d been a lieutenant during her time with the Kings. James had outranked him, which was why she hadn’t seen a lot of him.
Still, he was the boss now and he knew what he wanted.
“Sweetie, are you okay?” Chloe asked at one point.
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?” She tried to inflect her voice with mild surprise, but it came out sounding so falsely chipper it was painful.
Chloe saw through the act and frowned. “You were scared of that man. Who was he?”
“Nobody,” Kayla said, her natural instinct to keep everything close to her chest coming into play.
Chloe didn’t push her. “Okay, hon. But if you need to talk, I’m here.”
Kayla reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know. Thank you, but I’m fine. He’s a friend of my ex. He wanted me to visit James in prison. I refused,” she lied.
The frown lines on Chloe’s face didn’t dissipate. “I wouldn’t visit him either if I were you.” She hesitated. “You know you can count on me, right? I’ll help however I can.”
“I know you will, but there’s nothing to worry about. He only wanted to intimidate me a little bit, make sure I didn’t have anything more to say about the club to law enforcement. Since I already told them everything I know, I could honestly assure him I didn’t.”
Chloe studied her for a long moment. “I know that type of man, Kayla. My ex’s militia was filled with men just like that. They don’t let go easily or willingly. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of him.”
Kayla’s heart thumped. “I don’t think so either, but he’ll get the hint eventually.”
The hint? What a joke. Dal Gentry was determined to make her pay and he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
When Zach came to get her, she nearly melted with relief. It was five-thirty and the salon was closed. Everyone was still there, cleaning up, when he arrived. Avery let him in the front door and Kayla’s throat closed up at the sight of him in his camouflage uniform with the SEAL trident over his pocket. She didn’t even think before she flung herself in his arms and held on tight.
He squeezed her to him and dropped his mouth to her ear. “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe. So’s Ana. I’m sorry, but I had to tell Camel so he could take care of his woman.”
Kayla pushed back to look up at him. Apprehension skated down her spine. “Bailey knows?”
“Not yet. I got Camel to promise not to tell her.”
“Oh thank god.”
Zach gripped her arms and looked at her, his expression serious. “Only until you have a chance to do it, Kayla. He’ll tell her tonight if you don’t.”
Kayla’s belly was a ball of nerves. “I didn’t want this crap to touch her,” she gritted out. “I just wanted her to have her perfect wedding and be happy without me fucking it all up.”
“You aren’t fucking anything up, Kayla. Bailey loves you and she deserves to know what you’re up against.”
He sounded stern, and she knew he meant it. “I know,” she whispered, even though it tore her up to think about telling Bailey what was going on.
“You can do this, Kayla. You’ll be fine.”
She managed a smile. “I know. I just hate how this is going to affect her.”
“I know, baby, but you have to tell her. She can handle it.”
Kayla nodded, knowing he was right but hating it anyway. When she managed to push herself away from him, she realized that three pairs of eyes were staring at them. Chloe was smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Avery looked intrigued. And JoJo waggled her eyebrows and hooted beneath her breath as Kayla went past her to retrieve her purse from the back.
Kayla blushed. “Stop it, Jo.”
JoJo fell in beside her. “Honey, I’d have climbed that last bad boy like a tree—but this one, shit. This one I’d tie to the bed and not let up again. Please tell me that’s your plan.”
For the first time all afternoon, Kayla laughed. “I don’t know my plans yet,” she said truthfully. “But I’m definitely not letting him go.”
“Atta girl,” JoJo said.
Chapter Thirteen
“Wait just a minute,” Bailey said, her eyes flashing between the two of them. “Some asshole from the fucking Kings of Doom motorcycle club threatened you today and now you’re moving in with Zach?”
Beside him, Kayla stood stiff and still. She had his hand in a death grip though. From all appearances,
