Page 20 of Love in the Wild

“She doesn’t even know who we are, and she doesn’t have a dog in the fight. Just know I trust her with Thea’s life, which is much more precious to me than my own.”

“That’s rich, Romeo.” It was still a stretch to think a Patton could care about a Howard at all, much less put their safety first.

“I mean it. Despite what you think, I care about Thea, and I’d do whatever was necessary to protect her. That won’t change, whether you believe me or not.”

“For yours and Thea’s sakes, I hope you’re telling the truth. Does this woman who knows about Thea have any idea what she’s getting into?”

“She’s aware of the risks, but she wants to help. I have no doubt that she’ll take care of Thea.”

“You better not screw this up. I’ll hand you your head on a silver platter if Thea gets as much as a scratch.”

“You know, a little thank you goes a long way.”

Gage barked out a laugh. “You won’t be getting any thanks from me yet. I’ll send you a card when Thea is safely over the state line.”

“I love greeting cards. I’ll text you my address.”

Shaking his head at this guy who thought it was a good idea to make jokes when Thea’s life was in danger, he said, “Call me as soon as she’s out of here.”

“Yes, boss,” Brett barked.

Gage ended the call and pulled into the dirt lot in front of Bruce’s garage. He locked the truck before heading inside, but it wouldn’t do much good if one of his stupid cousins decided they wanted something inside. He’d busted his knuckles on them before for taking what didn’t belong to them.

He might not be on the right side of heaven, but Gage didn’t take unless circumstances warranted it. Cain liked to steal for the fun of it. Taking a hunting knife when Gage needed to feed his family was a little different from jacking cars and guns.

The scent of mildew greeted Gage at the door. He’d only noticed the smell since going to work at Beau’s. The difference almost tickled Gage’s gagging reflex. He was used to grease and metal, but there was something different here he didn’t like.

Tommy and Cain’s voices drifted through the garage, guiding Gage to the last bay where the two men rested their backs against broken-down cars they were supposed to be repairing.

That wouldn’t fly at Beau’s. Everyone on shift kept busy the entire time. No wonder his shop was booming and Bruce’s was failing.

“Success tryin’ to kill you?” Gage asked.

Tommy’s hearty laugh died, changing his worn features into a menacing glare. He snapped out a quick “Shut your mouth,” followed by a mumbled curse as he turned back to the vehicle.

Cain stared at Gage, chewing on a candy bar without blinking.

“Get back to work!” Tommy shouted at Cain who didn’t move to obey.

Gage shook his head. “Can’t fool me, old man. Neither one of you has a speck of dirt on your hands. Can’t get back to work if you never got off your–”

“You got somethin’ to say to me?” Tommy said, bowing up and puffing his chest out.

“Not anything I haven’t already said. Jimmy is gonna have your head if you don’t get his car running.”

“Jimmy can jump off a bridge for all I care. It’ll be done when I say it’s done, and I don’t want to hear another word come out of your mouth.”

Tommy left his pudgy finger pointed at Gage. With his brows lowered over his dark eyes, a lesser man might have cowered. Tommy had thirty years and a hundred pounds on Gage, though none of it was anything other than weight to throw around.

Gage didn’t sit on his hands hoping he could take the next man who wanted to throw fists. He got off his butt and trained, worked out, and made sure he was ready to brawl.

Gage tossed a rag at Cain. “Where’s Bruce?”

“Out back,” Cain said, keeping his gaze locked on Gage.

Gage tilted his head as he met Cain’s stare. “You got something to say?”

Cain slowly shook his head and narrowed his eyes. A slight grin spread across his lips.

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