Page 48 of Lone Star Protector

Or to capture.

“How did Bodie get to you?” Nash asked.

“Ah, my brother,” Bodie said as if that called for some kind of celebration. “Of course, I knew you were there. Joined at the hip with Caroline, aren’t you? I’m guessing you don’t mind getting my leftovers.”

Shit. That did it. This time it was more than anger that crossed Caroline’s face. It was pure, raging fury.

“You limp dick loser,” Caroline spat out. “You never had me, so I’m not your leftovers.”

Bodie laughed, but, oh, there was a dangerous edge to it. He did not like being dressed down by anyone, not even his obsession.

Nash was glad that Caroline had managed to get in that dig, but this was a lethal game, and at the moment, Bodie had the advantage.

Because he had Ruby.

“So, how do you see this playing out, brother?” Nash snarled because, hey, he was dealing with his own rage for this sonofabitch.

“I see it playing out with Caroline exchanging herself for her mother,” Bodie answered without a heartbeat of hesitation.

There was some more movement on the other end of the line, and Nash wondered if once again, Ruby had tried to get in her own two cents worth. No way would Ruby want Caroline to make an exchange like that. But then, Caroline wouldn’t just stand by and let her mother be killed in her place.

Damn it all to hell.

That meant this was the ultimate rock and a hard place.

Because Nash didn’t intend to let either Caroline or Ruby die.

“Where is this exchange supposed to happen?” Nash asked while he fired off a message to Slade to let him know what was going on. Slade should be able to tap into Spock and listen to the rest of the conversation for himself.

“So very close,” Bodie answered. “I made it convenient for you. All you have to do is come to the security gate. You know the one. You would have driven through it to take Caroline into Slade’s house.”

Yeah, that was close. Damn close. And risky since it was daylight.

Nash went with a deflection ploy. One that wouldn’t work, but he needed time for Slade to respond. “What makes you think we’re at the lake house?”

“Oh, don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Nash. My beautiful but often clueless bride helped with that before I even got out of that hellhole prison where Caroline had me locked away. Weeks ago, Jordana used some of her money to set up little bitty cameras every damn where. If there was a possibility that Caroline would be in or around a place, then it’s got a camera.”

Yeah, Nash could see Jordana doing that if Bodie asked her to do it. Anything for her husband, but she couldn’t have been pleased about her man giving so much attention to another woman.

“Jordana is a good obedient lapdog,” Bodie went on. “And she didn’t skimp on quality for the cameras. She got good ones with crystal clear feed so I could see Caroline’s face wherever she was coming or going. Or running scared. I liked looking at those.”

Nash did more cursing and not just because Bodie was being a prime asshole with all this goading. He cursed because it meant Bodie had been planning this for a while. And apparently, planning it well. Still, it was very risky to try to go after Caroline like this.

And that meant Bodie had likely taken other precautions.

For one thing, Bodie probably wasn’t alone with Ruby right now. Jordana could be nearby. Or maybe one of his thug friends. Nash was betting the one doing the assisting was poised and ready to shoot.

Not at Caroline.

But at him.

Bodie would know he’d be going with her and would want to eliminate the threat. Then, he could try to kill both Caroline and Ruby.

Try.

Because neither woman was going to make this easy for him. Still, Bodie could use them to his advantage. While Ruby and Caroline were trying to save each other, he could strike then. And he might win.

Damn it.

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