Page 28 of Stone Cold Savage

“What I want, right now, is to get through these damn files, find the break we’ve been searching for, and solve the circus of mysteries around us so everyone is safe. Then, I’ll worry about what I want.” Coy shared.

“Fair enough.” Kenzie said, sliding off the table and stealing one last quick kiss, “Go grab that cart over there, and we’ll stack these suckers on there and get out of here.”

They quickly filled the flatbed cart and wheeled the boxes they thought they could fit in the small SUV Coy borrowed from the ranch. The ride on the service-like elevator from the basement to the back door where they were parked was full of heat and tension. It wasn’t uncomfortable tension. It was the kind budding emotions and feelings were born of. The kind that made you sweat and gave you butterflies in the deepest part of your belly. The kind full of intrigue and wonder that left you imagining all of the what-ifs.

The duo kept their hands to themselves and flipped off their feelings like they were on a switch. They were alone in the basement, safe, and their guard was safely down. Outside, in public, where people were coming and going in wide open spaces, their guards were fully erect, and they saw everyone and everything around them move before it actually did. They were hyper-aware of their surroundings, predicting movements, paces, and activity. That’s what they were trained to do. Out here, they weren’t alone. Out here… they were in the crosshairs of something heinous.

“I should’ve brought a horse trailer, and we could have grabbed all of them.” He teased as they quickly filled the vehicle to the brim.

“Nope. We don’t need it.” Kenzie said, handing him the final box. “The answer we’re looking for is somewhere in here. I can feel it.”

“Is that some sort of superpower or just a wish and a prayer?” he laughed.

“Both.” She shrugged as she watched him try to maneuver the last box into the back of the vehicle. “I’m telling you. Our slow or bad luck is done. It’s all answers from here on out.”

“I don’t ever remember you being a cheerleader.” Coy teased. “It somehow suits you.”

“A cheerleader?” she grabbed the cart and began to walk off with it. “Is that your thing, Stone?”

“It could be.” He grinned, still rearranging boxes so the hatch could close. “Hey, where are you going?”

“I need to put this back and lock the archives up. I’ll be right back.”

“Give me a second, and I’ll go with you.” He warned.

“Coy, it’s the sheriff’s station. The only person inside is the Deputy Shanks on dispatch. It’s safe.” She continued on.

“Still. I’d feel better if…”

“Stone.” She lifted her shirt slightly and revealed her waist, where a weapon was strapped. “I’m good.”

“Alright. But be quick, or I’m coming in after you.” He said.

She saluted him, “Yes, sir.”

“Sir?”

“Don’t let that go to your head, Stone. I’ll be right back.”

Coy’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and saw Nash’s name scroll across the screen.

“I’ll be here, juggling boxes and watching your six,” Coy said, pulling the phone to his ear as he watched Kenzie disappear inside.

“What’s going on, brother?” Coy said, finally getting the last box tucked inside, and he sat on the back of the SUV.

“Well, I have a problem.”

“Don’t we all?”

“No, this is of the urgent kind,” Nash said, sounding out of breath. “And I can’t find my damn keys.”

“How would I know where your keys are and why do you need them? Where you goin’?”

“After Charlotte.” He shared. “She left. She just up and left.”

“What did you do?”

“What do you mean, what did I do? Why did I have to do something?” Nash was flustered. Worry was laced in his words.

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