Page 91 of All In

Locke

“Tanner,” the muscular guy, with bright new-school tattoos, says, holding out a hand for me to shake.

“Locke.” I offer a friendly smile, despite the fury I feel seeing Laken wrapped around the unknown alpha.

Bless shoves her shoulder into mine, forcing my arm forward as we approach the car.

I extend my hand to the man, and we shake, even though I’d much rather bury my knife in his carotid artery.

Bless moves to the trunk with her second-in-command and longtime lover. Stacia pops the trunk and steps back.

“On the right, I give you Braxton Barrett, my shithead brother.” Bless smiles a little ferally. “On the left, well, it’s a two-for-one special, since no one wants to deal with his slimy ass.”

I frown, swiping my fingers over my throat and cutting my eyes to Laken. My intentions were to have this conversation without her as a witness, but I was more optimistic yesterday.

Ranger Cavanaugh leans over the trunk, ripping the bag off my cousin’s head. He tilts Braxton’s face toward the light and nods.

I’ve heard all about Ranger from Bless and Stacia. Apparently, he’s someone who inspires fear, even to those in power. Unfortunately for him, fear is an emotion I rarely experience. Worrying about Laken’s safety was the first time I felt true terror in more years than I can count.

“They should be sedated for another hour or two, but you should get them where you plan to keep them,” Bless says, shoving her hands into her pockets. “It was a pleasure doing business with you. Laken, good to see you’re in one piece. Locke can stop losing his shit now.” She laughs. “Ladies, load up!” Her bark echoes in the air, and her team gracefully disappears back into the woods.

The men I brought from Chicago stand around the two guys Bless and Stacia originally took down. It’s really not a good look for them. Their dogs could sense the danger, but somehow, the men ignored the signs.

“Who are you?” Ranger asks, shoving Braxton back into the trunk. “I don’t mean whatever name you’re going by currently.”

Laken gasps, looking at me with wide eyes.

“My name is Declan Barrett.” I swipe my long, dark hair up into a bun, securing it with the tie around my wrist. “We share a common enemy. My younger brother, Avan, currently runs the family. I was passed over for my birthright when my business plans didn’t align with that of my fathers and uncles.”

“Who is this, and why do I want the added complication of taking possession of them?” Ranger asks, ripping the mask off Will.

I grimace.

Laken squeaks. “Oh, shit! Is that Will?”

“Trust me, he’s deserving of being in there for more than just what he did to you.” I step closer, running my hand down her spine. I’m surprised when Tanner doesn’t growl at the contact. I focus on Ranger and go on. “I’ll tell you more once we’re somewhere secure, but Will has intricate knowledge of the business my family was hoping to conduct in Chicago.”

“Fine,” Ranger says. “I’ll take them. You, however, are not taking my wife.”

“My husband is cranky because Tanner bonded me before he could.” Laken rolls her striking blue-gray eyes. “A lot has happened since I called you from Boston, but we would love to have you. If we’re lucky, the housekeepers managed to detoxify Kate’s scent from the place.”

“Ooo, she’s still salty about that,” Tanner says, laughing.

“I did not extend any such invitation,” Ranger growls, dropping Will back into the trunk.

“No, honey.” Laken twists, giving him a bright smile. “As your wife, I did.”

“Holy shit.” Tanner chuckles. “It’s crazy hot when you politely tell him to fuck off.”

My head tilts as I glance between Tanner and Ranger. There seems to be a level of tension there that I might be able to use to my advantage.

Tanner is an unknown player to me in this game. He also has a bond with Laken. That complicates things, but so far, he’s significantly more tolerable than Ranger Cavanaugh. It was pure luck that my team was able to get a bead on his location to begin with.

My first order of business upon arriving in town was to put my men in place to watch the Assurance compound in shifts.

They stayed in the woods, but yesterday, they were able to track a vehicle from the Assurance property to the gated mansion that I assume belongs to Ranger.

Once Bless’s team arrived, we split the forces.

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