Page 129 of All In

“Two males. No visual on Lyra. One car,” Kane says from the front seat. “Tell me they were dumb enough to only come two deep.”

“That’s the hope,” Ranger says, tossing his door open.

“We’ll be back for the two of you when we’re ready.” Kane throws his door open and pops out, slamming it loudly behind him.

The car lights and one old-as-fuck yard light on the front of the barn to our left provide the only lighting.

“Better lose that fear before the door pops open,” Grady says, bumping his shoulder against mine. “I can smell it from under my mask.”

My eyes cut to the side as I glare, but Grady can’t see it because of the fabric. It does have eye cutouts, but hopefully, that won’t give away that he’s not Braxton.

“I’m just playing. I can’t really scent your fear. But damn, man, do you ever wear deodorant?” Grady chuckles.

I snort. “You’re such a dick.”

“Yup, but you’re finally out of your feelings. This is like a two on the difficulty scale.”

“Let’s hope so,” I say, studying Ranger as he saunters toward the car without even a weapon in his hands.

Kane kneels a few feet away with his assault rifle aimed to give Ranger cover.

I can’t tell if Ranger has unwavering faith that Kane will have him, or if the man is just completely incapable of experiencing fear.

There’s some shouting back and forth that I can’t quite understand.

Kane pops up and backs toward the driver’s side front panel. He doesn’t lower the weapon as he bangs on the metal to give me the signal to bring Grady out.

My door flies open, and I use it as cover to tug Grady from the car before tossing him into view first.

It’s what they told me to do.

Grady chuckles, struggling to his feet from his knees.

“Whoa, what’s with the guns?” Kane calls out, and my gaze pops up.

The guy on the right holds his gun to Lyra’s head. Her hands are bound in front of her, and there’s a gag in her mouth.

It throws me off, seeing how much she looks like Laken.

Jesus Christ.

They look eerily similar.

The guy on the left steps forward. “Show us his face. Why is it covered?”

Ranger shrugs. “He wouldn’t shut up.” He looks at me. “Bring him over here.”

Kane moves back to his one-knee-down crouch as I tug Grady toward Ranger.

It’s hard to keep from accidentally popping open his cuffs, since I know they aren’t fully locked.

“On your knees,” Ranger growls, grabbing Grady’s shoulder and shoving him down.

We’re only separated by ten feet, and seeing the abject terror on Lyra’s face has my impulses going haywire.

The guy on the right slams the tip of his gun harder against Lyra’s temple. “Do it now, or this deal is off.”

“I’m increasingly confused as to why you’re convinced you’re in charge,” Ranger says blandly. “But here you are.”

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