Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Dread ticked through her stomach. “Then you had them falsified.” Could he do that? Sure, he was a senator and had connections, but medical records were tough to mess with.
“Well,” Kyle said softly, “you’d have to prove that, wouldn’t you?”
She was so finished being afraid of this asshat. She leaned forward, palms pressing against the table. “You’re running for office, Senator. Any type of scandal could take you out. You know how politics work. Do you really want to fuck with me?”
Kyle blinked rapidly, shock flashing across his face before being quickly banked. “I see you’ve grown some teeth out here in the wilderness.”
“I always had teeth. I just never bothered to use them on you.” She stepped back and kept her gaze hard. “You want to bring it on, Kyle? Do it. I’ll take your political career down in a heartbeat.”
Kyle scoffed. “You don’t have anything.”
May smiled slowly. “Are you kidding? With all these influencers around here, all it takes is an accusation. I don’t need proof.”
The words hung between them.
True. Ugly. Dangerous.
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. “You didn’t ask about my second concern.”
She knew she wasn’t going to like this. “What would that be?”
“My understanding is that you’re pretty good friends with the Osprey brothers.” He sounded smooth and polished. “As I already noted, Alaska doesn’t allow for sheriffs. Nobody’s pushed it, but I have no problem showing my concern publicly and loudly in the state’s capital. I am concerned about Knife’s Edge, naturally.”
Her pulse thudded once. She didn’t want to be responsible for messing up the town’s dynamics or making Brock lose his job.
Kyle continued, “If this town just made up a sheriff’s position, maybe it also ignores Alaskan laws. That’s terrifying.”
There probably weren’t enough people in Knife’s Edge to move the election one way or the other when it came to him. “That’s entirely up to you,” May said evenly. “But I’m only one person. I imagine the other people in this town could raise quite a ruckus. Who even knows who’s around.” There was some truth to that statement.
“I’m not very scared.” Kyle’s smooth smile slid back into place. “Now why don’t you sit down and have dinner with me?”
Before May could respond, the tavern door opened.
Ace strolled inside, his shoulders loose and his eyes scanning automatically. The second he spotted her, his stride shifted. His gaze flicked to Kyle, then back to her. He didn’t hesitate as he picked his way across the crowded floor. “Hey, May. We need to talk.”
She completely agreed. “Yes. I know.”
Ace glanced around, his jaw tightening. The tavern pulsed with noise. “It’s too loud here. There are too many people.” He jerked his chin toward the door. “Let’s go to the Green Plate and get dinner.”
“She already has dinner plans,” Kyle said.
Ace’s gaze snapped to him.
May didn’t even look at Kyle. “Actually, I’m free. Let’s go.” She turned and walked toward the door without looking back.
Ace was right behind her.
Cold air hit them the moment they stepped outside. The wind had picked up again, sliding down from the mountains with a damp edge that hinted at more weather coming. The streetlights glowed softly against the long Alaskan evening, the sky still holding that strange half-light that never fully faded this time of year. Did they even need the streetlights? Maybe. It was a bit murky outside.
Ace fell into step beside her, his presence solid and steady. “You okay?”
She turned left onto the main stretch of road. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
Ace moved gracefully around her, placing himself on the street side. A quiet, automatic shift.
May glanced at him. “You think I’m going to get hit by a car in Knife’s Edge?”
He shrugged. “You never know. A lot of these tourists don’t know what the hell they’re doing on the four-wheelers.”
That was, unfortunately, a true statement. She’d already treated three broken arms this month.
They walked in silence for a few beats. Somewhere down the block, a screen door slammed. The scent of wet earth lingered in the air, mixing with wood smoke from a distant cabin.
Ace glanced sideways at her. “Kyle bothering you?”
May’s shoulders stiffened. “Kyle is always bothering someone.”
Ace’s lips flattened. “You want me to handle him?”
She shot him a look. “Absolutely not.”
His brow lifted. “Just offering.”
“I know.” She softened. “But no.”
The Green Plate’s warm lights came into view ahead, glowing like a small beacon against the cooling evening. Inside, she could already picture the quieter atmosphere.
Ace pulled the door open for her. “After you, Doc.”
“Doors and walking on the outside of the sidewalk? Somebody taught you manners.” Yeah, that made her feel all gooey inside.
“It was Hank,” Ace said agreeably. “He beat it into us. Man. I miss him sometimes.”
“Yeah,” May said quietly. “But you have your brothers. That’s something.”
“Yeah. It is.” His tone sharpened. “What did the jackass senator want?”
May exhaled. “He threatened to expose fake medical records about me. He also hinted at putting the sheriff’s position in jeopardy.”