Page 76 of All In

“Nah, he definitely didn’t.” Tanner walks us back toward the house. “But since he didn’t think that shit through, he’ll just have to understand that I’m invading his bedroom tonight. Kate’s scent isn’t in there or the nest, right?”

My head shakes as my fingers dig into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry you had to chase me out in the pouring rain.” I stretch up, nuzzling my cheek to his.

“No need for apologies.” He chuckles. “Although, I did have this sexy little fantasy playing out of fucking you against a tree in the rain.” He palms the back of my head. “That can wait. I’d rather take care of you now.”

My lips roll together as my heart races.

Tanner is a genuinely good guy. He puts me at ease in a way that’s hard to explain.

“You know, this would be the perfect place to act out a chase. Let you run and see how far you can get before I catch you and have my way with you in the dirt.” He hits the porch steps, and I jostle in his hold as he heads up them. “Only if you were open to it, but yeah, it could be fun.”

I’ve never considered something like that, but with Tanner hunting me, I think I’d enjoy myself.

Tanner carries me up the porch and in through the still-open door. I’m a little grateful Maverick and Gunner are no longer around as Tanner pulls the door closed and locks it. They looked at me like I was losing it when I ran past them earlier. And I did headbutt Maverick when he pulled me out of that trunk.

I’m not shocked they don’t think much of me.

Tanner toes off his boots just inside the door, and looking at my bare feet, I realize I’m covered in dirt and muck.

Tanner’s eyes follow my gaze, and he chuckles. “Yeah, we might need to do a quick rinse in the shower before lounging in the bath.”

There’s something about the lighthearted way he rolls with the punches that soothes my system on a foundational level.

Chapter Twenty-One

Locke

I’ve had a crash course in Assurance Security and the Cavanaugh family. All I needed was a few basic details, and all other pertinent information spiraled from there.

The only saving grace in my current situation is the favor I’ve held on to for the last ten years. My cousin Bless was true to her word, at least, according to the chatter I’ve picked up from outside sources.

As a result, I should have her brother—my other cousin—in my possession by tomorrow morning. It wasn’t even a question of if it was time to call in that favor.

Braxton will be a viable bargaining chip. He’s close enough to the top to have full knowledge of what my family plans to do and which pies they have their hands in, but also not important enough to initiate an all-out war over getting him back.

If Assurance Security is keen on taking down the families still participating in the skin trade, he’ll be a vital asset.

I have no qualms with their mission, and he’s the perfect swap for Laken.

If her sister had just come to me initially, we could have avoided all of this. Paying outright for their services wouldn’t have been a problem, but I still don’t know what occurred that made them reticent to release her.

My eyes fall on Will.

He’s bound and gagged, but that’s mostly for his own safety. If he says the wrong thing, I’m likely to snap and break his neck.

I intend to toss him in as a bonus incentive to whoever I can arrange a meeting with at Assurance Security.

After all, he’s been in communication with my family. He’ll have his own knowledge base from attempting to do business with them.

I’d also like to be done with his sniveling ass, and pawning him off on anyone who can use him seems like a fitting end to our partnership.

I toss myself down on the hotel bed.

This area of Virginia is unfamiliar. I’ll continue to feel unsettled until I have Braxton in my possession and reinforcements at my side.

I left Chicago with five men I trust, but that won’t be enough to go to war with the mercenary group. Truthfully, I hope it won’t come to that, but in case it does, Bless will have bodies at her side to back us up.

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