Page 125 of All In

He rakes the team he assigned to Miami over the coals during a very uncomfortable meeting held at the Assurance Security compound.

The owner of Assurance, Carrigan Mercer, attempts to apologize in person for refusing me a meeting with Ranger, but that’s water under the bridge at this point.

Laken is in the main house with Vale, baby Aurora, Karma, and the Kate I’ve heard so much about.

I’m not really sure why Laken worried so much about the woman. She’s got an attitude, and she and Ranger barely tolerated each other during the five minutes they spent together. It doesn’t matter.

At the end of the day, I’m always going to have Laken’s back, even if the pregnancy hormones make her a little irrational at times. From the looks of it, though, she and Kate buried whatever weirdness was between them.

Tanner and I accompanied Ranger to the command center, but I know we’re both itching to get back to our omega. He has more knowledge of who some of these guys are because of the mission they ran together when saving Laken.

I get the introductions, but there are so many faces, it’s impossible to tell who is who. Or even who is important enough to remember their name.

A massive guy with a thick blond beard and man bun jogs into what I would consider the employee lounge as Ranger says his goodbyes.

I’m pretty sure the newcomer is one of Vale’s alphas, but even that is just my assumption after seeing them together in the house earlier.

He strides directly toward Ranger, and my hackles rise.

Tanner bumps his forearm against mine, but I’m already on full alert to assess the situation.

“You need to take the call in the conference room,” the giant alpha growls. “It’s for you.”

Ranger sighs. “Of course, it is. May I ask who’s calling?”

“They didn’t give a name, but they’ve got Laken’s sister. They want to make a trade.”

Ranger’s eyes narrow, and in an instant, the mask is gone. His shoulders pull back, and he gives a clipped nod. “How intriguing.” He makes eye contact with me and Tanner before striding out without a backward glance. “Come along, gentlemen. We have a hostage negotiation to manage.”

Tanner sighs, jogging to follow Ranger. “Sometimes I really miss Vegas.”

I don’t miss Chicago in the least, but I do get the sentiment.

“You have thirty seconds to convince me this call isn’t a waste of my time,” Ranger says in a cold, dead voice that’s usually reserved for the basement. He clicks a button on the phone in the conference room, and the sound of breathing fills the air. There’s no response for so long, he frowns at the phone as he places the receiver in the cradle.

Mercer and the blond man-bun guy followed us in. They stand by the door, pensively watching.

“Tick tock,” Ranger taunts. “Why don’t you start with who I’m speaking with?”

“You’re not in control here, asshole!” The voice echoes around the room. “I’ve got your woman’s sister.”

“That’s nice. Best of luck keeping hold of her,” Ranger says. “That one is quite slippery, and I know from experience that she does what she wants.”

“Is he purposely trying to get Laken’s sister killed?” Tanner whispers against the shell of my ear.

I shake my head and twist to speak directly into his. “No. He’s setting the tone and trying to convince them they have nothing of value.”

He’s doing a damn good job of it too.

They called us.

They clearly want something.

My guess would be Braxton, but the voice on the phone doesn’t belong to either of my brothers.

It’s also not anyone else from my family.

“How would your omega take it if she knew you got her sister killed?” the guy hisses.

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