Page 52 of Unrivaled Pleasure (Montana Double Riders 4)

“I truly hope it all works out.” He pointed to the car still dripping oil. “Why don’t you head out? I’ll have Billy finish this up.”

Dylan nodded. “Probably a good idea.” He was fairly useless today.

“You can take some time off, you know. Like a few days away to explore a relationship.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“And I’ll let you know if anything comes of the search for her car.”

Billy came out into the garage area from the office. “Hey, Dylan, you have a phone call inside.”

“Thanks.”

He picked up the phone. “Hello.”

“Hey. It’s Hunter.”

“What’s up?”

“Have you heard from Lilianna?”

“No. Why?”

“I hate to say it, but I might have lost her.”

“What? How did you lose her?” Dylan heard a tone in Hunter’s voice he’d never heard before. Near desperation.

“She was supposed to meet me at the wooden doors. I was a couple of minutes late, but she isn’t here. I’ve waited for ten minutes.” Dylan had never, ever, counseled Hunter on “finding” anyone before. He had innate skills and used them without seeking permission.

Dylan was so surprised by Hunter’s reaction, he barely knew what to say in response. “So…did you warn Kendall she was your guest for the day?”

There was a long silence. “No.”

“Go check. He’s probably got her over at the jailhouse.”

There was a ten-second pause before Hunter said in a tight voice, “That is not cool.”

“And yet you should know better by now. Kendall likes rules. Why didn’t you follow them?”

“I’ve never—” Hunter stopped talking abruptly. “I’ve never needed them before.”

“Go check with Kendall or maybe even Zane can help you.”

“Fine. I’ll check there and meet you back home. You didn’t find her car did you?”

“No. But Gabriel is looking around for us. Duke is also on tap to keep an eye out.”

“Okay.”

“Call me back if she isn’t at the Old Town Jail.”

“Maybe.” Then he hung up. The call was so surreal, Dylan looked at the handset wondering if he’d just dreamed the entire strange conversation.

Hunter had elite skills. He rarely—make that never—asked for advice about where someone was or what he should do to try and find them. Lilianna was definitely having an impact on his expertise.

That notion lifted Dylan’s spirits as he hung the phone up. He stopped at the store to get some things for a nice dinner. He then headed home early for the first time in a long time, anxious to spend the evening with the new girl in their lives.

If Hunter hadn’t lost her for good anyway.

* * * *

Hunter strode over to the jailhouse, popped the door wide open, and readied himself for a battle.

“Where is she?” he fairly bellowed to the assembled group inside.

Zane startled and stepped away from Lilianna, who was between him and Kendall.

“I’m here. I was waiting by the wooden doors, but he found me first.” She indicated Zane with a nod of her head.

Hunter gave Zane a quick death stare, then fixed his gaze on Kendall. He didn’t look frightened one single bit.

Zane quickly piped up. “She refused to give up your name, so I brought her here to persuade her to talk.”

“I didn’t want you to get in trouble,” she murmured.

Kendall watched Hunter with a fascinated expression, but remained quiet.

Zane huffed. “Why didn’t you just tell us she was going to be here for the day? Geez, Hunter. We just like to keep everyone safe.”

“It was spontaneous. I didn’t expect you to arrest her for standing near the wooden door at the bank.”

Zane’s eyes narrowed, and he said, “It’s a place where patrons aren’t allowed, and there are lots of signs posted. Plus, you of all people should be aware that someone fucking got inside last night and tried to burn your place to the ground. We’re a little more wary today. Okay?”

Hunter took a few steps closer, trying to temper his anger and over-the-top concern. He hadn’t realized how worried he was until he saw her safe and sound.

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