She pursed her lips. “No.”
“Maybe we should try it again?”
“You wish.” She shook her head. “So where’s Razor’s shop from here?”
Knowing she was done, I let it go. “I can drive if you want.”
“No. I got this. Just remind me how to get there.”
I gave her the directions, and we arrived in short order. She pulled up in front and stopped. “I thought it would be safer to park out here instead of in the back like we did before.”
“Good idea. We might need to make a hasty exit, so keep your keys handy.”
I got out of the car and headed into the front office of the car shop, Serenity stuck close to my side, almost like she was protecting me. It would have been funny if she hadn’t actually saved my life already.
I wasn’t too worried about this visit, since I trusted Razor wouldn’t double-cross me, but there was always a first time. Inside, the guy at the front desk raised his brows, like we’d surprised him.
“Razor’s expecting us.”
“Uh… sure. Go on back.”
I stepped toward the doorway, and Serenity grabbed my hand. I glanced back at her, but she just shrugged, so I continued through the shop to Razor’s office. It felt nice to hold her hand, and, who knew? Maybe she’d get something for a change? A few of the guys stopped what they were doing to watch us pass, and it put me on edge.
Razor’s office door was open and I stepped inside, still holding Serenity’s hand. Joint stood beside Razor’s desk and straightened to see us. He chewed on a toothpick and crossed his arms, his face tight.
“Stone,” Razor said. “Thanks for coming. Have a seat. This shouldn’t take long.” As we sat down, he glanced at Serenity. “I don’t think we were introduced before.”
“Her name’s Sen,” Joint said. “She’s the one who told us we had to run.” He met her gaze, and his eyes narrowed. “So… do you know who the informant is?”
Her eyes widened, but she shrugged. “No.”
Joint moved to loom over her, and I rose to my feet, stepping in front of him and getting in his face. “Back off, Joint. She doesn’t know. So deal with it.”
He flinched but stood his ground.
“Joint.” Razor’s low voice held a hint of menace. With flaring nostrils, Joint stepped away from me. Razor shook his head and motioned to the door with his hand. “Get out.”
Joint’s brows rose. “What?”
“You heard me. Get. Out.”
Muttering under his breath, Joint left the room, slamming the door behind him. As Razor’s second in command, he’d just been humiliated, and I wasn’t sure Razor had done me any favors. Joint had a reputation for his brutality in the boxing ring, and could cause a lot of damage without breaking a sweat.
“Sorry about that.” Razor huffed out a breath. “He’s upset that Cash is dead. Not because he cares, but because Cash had some guns stored in his trailer, and now the police have them. He’s worried one of them might be traced back to a shooting he was involved in.”
“That’s too bad, but Cash’s death had nothing to do with us. The bomb was already set, probably for me.”
“So you think Cash’s friend double-crossed him?”
“Yes.”
“Makes sense. So have you got any clues about who this friend is?”
“The only thing we have right now is the name Johnny. Do you know someone by that name?”
Razor’s brows rose. “Johnny? That’s interesting, because Joint mentioned that Cash met with someone named Johnny. But that’s all he said. Does this Johnny person go by a gang name?”
“If he does, I don’t know what it is, but maybe I’d better have a chat with Joint.”
