In the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington, 27-year-old Sofie Bennett leads a life marked by its comforting predictability. As a sweet-natured waitress at The Alpine Tavern-a cozy haven where locals come together for hearty meals and lively...
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"Sofie," he finally said, his voice low and urgent, "I need you to listen carefully. Things have escalated with the Iron Brotherhood, and it's more dangerous than I thought. I don't want you caught up in this mess."
The weight of his words settled heavily between us. I took a step closer, feeling the tension radiating from him. "What happened?"
He ran a hand through his tousled hair, a frustrated gesture that revealed how deeply this affected him. "Knox—one of the guys in the Brotherhood—tipped me off. He claims Eddie was involved in your grandma's death, and it wasn't just a random act. There's more going on here, and I can't let you get hurt because of it."
My heart sank at the mention of my grandmother. "But...how? Eddie always seemed harmless. Are you sure this "Knox" is telling the truth?"
Ethan's jaw tightened, and I could see the conflict in his eyes. "I wish I could say it's just a rumor, but Knox is scared. He's trying to get out of this life, and he wouldn't risk what little credibility he has left if it wasn't serious."
I shook my head, struggling to comprehend the chaos swirling around us. "What if it's all a mistake? Eddie wouldn't—"
"Eddie's not the person you think he is," Ethan interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "He has a history with the Brotherhood, and it seems he's got a twisted obsession with you. He mistook your grandmother for you when he showed up at your house. He panicked and...things got out of hand."
A chill raced down my spine, and I wrapped my arms around myself as if I could shield my heart from the horror of his words. "Ethan, this can't be true."
"It is. And it's not just Eddie. The Brotherhood has been operating in this town with the sheriff covering for them. They've created a network of fear, and I need you to understand just how serious this is."
My mind raced with the implications, the sudden clarity weaving a dark tapestry of betrayal and danger. "What are we going to do?"
Ethan stepped closer, his presence both reassuring and intimidating. "First, you need to stay away from the tavern for a while. I'll make sure you're safe, but I need to deal with Eddie and the Brotherhood. If they think you're connected to me, they might come after you."
