Page 124 of All In

“It’s a little crazy how much power that guy holds,” I say, running my nose down his throat.

“He still does contracts for the government. In certain circumstances, it’s better to keep a powerful adversary close.” He chuckles. “Or, in that situation, on the payroll.”

“It’s a blessing having someone like that on your team.”

“It is. It’s also extremely frustrating that Lyra hasn’t made an appearance on any of the cameras and networks that his software frequently scans.”

I nod, running my fingers over his jaw. “I know you’re doing all you can. You’ve still got guys watching my apartment in Chicago?”

“They’re in place close by,” Ranger says. “They’re not just watching for Lyra, but for the Barretts or any of Locke’s men who might be interested in locating that missing product.” His hands cup my backside, giving a little squeeze. “You smell absolutely delectable.”

“Thank you.” A smile I can’t hold back crosses my face. “Not just for the compliment, either. Thank you for rescuing me. For keeping me safe and taking care of me and all you’re doing to look after my sister, despite her fighting against it at every turn. I know Maverick and Gunner didn’t ask or give you any warning about Karma.”

“They did not.”

“And I know the dog hair bothers you. I don’t want you to spend the next however many years miserable. If you want to let Annika have her, she mentioned yesterday that she would gladly take her.”

It broke my heart a little when she jokingly asked if Ranger had started twitching yet or actively chasing Karma around with a lint roller.

I had no idea it was so tough for him, but I have my own minor issues with OCD. Back in my apartment, I would check the door locks on the front door three times every night before going to bed. The higher my stress is, the worse the compulsions get, but I’ve always had issues with anything on my hands. In the past, when I’ve been extremely anxious, I’ve over washed my hands to the point they cracked open and bled or plucked my eyebrows compulsively until they barely existed.

I can’t stand the thought of Karma being a similar type of trigger for Ranger.

“We could visit her, and I just want you to know I won’t hold a grudge.”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “She’s already accepted us as her humans. It would be jarring for her to have to adapt again somewhere else.”

My brow furrows as I try to feel him out in the bond. Studying his face doesn’t help me decide if he’s just trying to keep the peace at his own expense. “I’d rather we make that decision soon, before we all get attached?—”

“Get attached?” Ranger chuckles, nodding at Tanner. “That man would legitimately cry alligator tears. No, she’s joined the pack. As long as she continues to recognize that I am the leader of said pack, then she can stay.”

My heart flutters.

“I love you so much. I just need you to know that.” I attack his mouth, squeezing his cheeks.

His hands tighten on my ass, and his fingers slide up the bottom of my dress.

“I care for you deeply. On a level I’ve never experienced.” His lips brush mine as he speaks. “I’m not sure I’ve ever felt the emotion of love, and I don’t want to lie to you, but you’ll always have me at your side.” If I couldn’t feel his sincerity and fondness for me radiating in the bond, then his words might hurt my feelings. Lucky for both of us, I can, and it only makes him more endearing.

He can take as long as he needs to parcel out that what he feels toward me is love. I’m totally fine with letting him come to terms with that in his own time.

I dive back in for another tantalizing kiss as he grinds me over his thickening cock. I really did luck out when those Andretti guys mistook me for Lyra. Without that one moment, my life would look totally different right now.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Locke

The days pass with a peacefulness that I didn’t know existed. I grew up in New York. There was always noise and commotion. Never, in my wildest dreams, would I have thought the middle of nowhere would offer so much mental relief, but there’s a certain kind of comfort on the compound.

It clearly can’t last forever.

Ranger runs a team for Assurance, and from what I’ve gathered, he normally works out of DC.

Tanner and I are interested to see how we’ll fit into that puzzle.

Our illustrious leader has already made it clear the three of us aren’t allowed to work in pairs, like Maverick and Gunner. If, God forbid, the worst happened, it would limit that loss to one, which still would have devastating effects on Laken, but hopefully, she could recover.

For literally inspiring fear in the hearts of some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, he sure is losing his shit over Laken’s missing sister.

---