Page 18 of Stone Cold Savage

“Nope. You have my six, remember? You should be on my heels right now, Sheriff.” He warned.

Seeming to understand the seriousness of the situation and that Rip was left with the responsibility of seeing them both to safety, she didn’t argue and made her way to the passenger-side door.

“Sure thing, boss.” She said sarcastically. “But just to clarify, I have your six because I’m fucking capable.”

Rip was able to open the rear passenger door with ease, unlike earlier when Devyn had attempted to get in, “Which is why Coy must’ve given the orders he did. I’m only successful if I have someone watching my back, too. I’m honored it’s you. I’ve seen your record. It’s impressive.” Rip informed before leaning in to help buckle Devyn in, who wasn’t quite herself and trapped in whatever state of mania the events of late had left her in.

“Of course you have.” Kenzie rolled her eyes.“That means Coy has too.”

“There isn’t much we don’t know or that we can’t find out, Sheriff. He’s well aware of your service and accomplishments.”

“So much for classified.” She muttered under her breath.

He reached inside his shirt, pulled out the tiny kitten, and placed it in her hands. Her eyes lit up as they filled with emotion once more. “You saved it?”

“Yeah. I fucking saved the damn cat.” He said with gruff.

Rip scanned their surroundings, keeping a mental note of all that was going on in that moment –– who was present, who was looking their way, and, more importantly, who was trying hard to avoid eye contact. He jumped in the vehicle and didn’t look back.

“Anything?” Kenzie asked.

“Not a fucking thing. Any one of them could be spotters.” He said, referring to those who could be lookouts for their elusive and no longer discreet enemy.

“You?” he asked.

“A lot of familiar faces, but after what we saw in that lawyer’s office, familiar doesn’t necessarily mean safe,” Kenzie admitted.

“Coy? What about Coy? Devyn said, looking over her shoulder and out the back window. “Why are we going this way?”

“Because this is the way to safety.” Rip deadpanned.

“He’s alone, Rip. We have to turn around.”

“Your brother works best alone.” He fired back.

“But…”

“But nothing, Devyn. This isn’t up for discussion or argument.”

“Excuse me, but…”

“There it is again. You don’t get to do that. You hear me? You don’t get to say, but… This is non-negotiable. You aren’t safe here. Not even a little bit. None of you are. You are going back to the ranch, and we’ll wait for Coy there.”

“You’re not going back out? You’re not even going to try and help him? He could be charging right into the lion’s den right now and…”

“He’ll be fine. Coy’s always fine.” Rip’s tone was flat, lacking emotion, and his expression grim, revealing that this was hard, even for him. “If he needs backup, he’ll tell me. This is what we’re trained for. Otherwise, we’ll see him at the ranch.”

“And if we don’t?”

“Are you always like this?” Rip said, looking between the road and Devyn through the rearview mirror.

“Like what?” Devyn asked with her tone full of offense.

“Spoiled. Argumentative. Bordering bossy.” Rip began. “Listen. In case you have already forgotten, something very dangerous has just happened back there. Something that could’ve got you killed. This isn’t the time to play the buts and what if’s game. You’re not going to negotiate your way out of this one, counselor. You’re going to the ranch. We all are. And we’re going to stay there unless Coy says otherwise. Period.”

“I am not spoiled.” She argued.

“If that’s all you took away from what I just said, then you just proved my damn point. You could’ve died back there, Devyn, and in the process, got your brother or any one of us hurt… over a cat.”

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