Page 147 of Love Me Reckless

“It looks like you’re trying to apprehend a citizen without his consent, so hell yes, it concerns me.”

“I’ll go.” It’s starting to make sense now. This has to be about Kirilee, and if I am going to keep her, I have to play this straight. Resisting will only make more problems for us.

“Sawyer, you don’t have to do this,” Zach says.

I lock eyes with Zach. “It’s okay.”

“You sure?” Zach asks.

“Yeah.”

Zach seems to think this over for a moment. “Okay. But I’m alerting the sheriff.” He points his phone at the two guards, his eyes hard. “Finn River Security doesn’t get to roam the streets, snatching up whomever they please.”

“We’ll be sure to pass that message along,” one of the guards says, then beckons to me. “Get in the car, Mr. Reed.”

I slide into the backseat. One agent follows me in while the other one enters from the opposite side. A different agent is behind the wheel, dressed similar to the two next to me.

When the SUV pulls a U-turn, I see Zach hurrying to his truck, barking into his phone.

The drive to the ranch feels like a voyage to another dimension. That Stu thinks I would resist meeting with him bothers me as much as the mystery behind what he thinks we’re going to accomplish by talking about it.

Did you enable Kirilee St. Claire to ditch her wedding?

Yep.

Are you prepared to accept the consequences?

Yes.

Did you punch Birch at the Finn River Medical Center?

Sure did.

Are you prepared to accept the consequences?

Like a rematch? I’d be delighted. Here, hold my lemonade.

We pass through the gate and the driver follows the main road past the snowy grounds and groves of aspen and fir trees. The thick overcast sky obscures the mountain peaks.

At Bear Lodge, the SUV passenger door is opened and I’m escorted out. We enter the lobby—I try not to stare at the vaulted ceilings, giant windows, river rock hearth with a real fire crackling and the massive antler chandeliers hanging above us on the way to the elevator.

Will Birch be joining us at this meeting?

Along the walls, black and white pictures of the ski slopes tell the story of the early days of the resort, from the construction of the first ski lift to mid-winter powder days, the sun bright in the background. In one, Kirilee and her brother are standing side by side at the bottom of the lift. She’s probably about seven, with two half-grown-in front teeth on display thanks to her mile-high grin. Her mom is right behind her, stooped to hug her. Their eyes look so clear—they look content, relaxed.

I have to fist my hands at my sides to keep from reaching out to touch the photo. How did that peaceful happiness slip away? And can they get it back?

After the elevator ride, we walk in a single file line, my work boots nearly silent on the plush carpet. At Stu’s door, one of the guards knocks.

“Enter,” Stu’s voice booms from behind the door.

I’m ushered inside the cave-like room with its dark walls and Stu’s large, mahogany desk facing two chairs. Pictures from Stu’s football days and family trips in the mountains are arranged behind him, giving the space a homey touch.

“Take a seat, Sawyer,” Stu says, nodding at the empty chairs. As I lower into one, the guards leave the office, closing the door softly behind them.

Stu folds his hands in front of him and purses his lips as he stares me down. “Today, one of our members had their identity stolen.”

I stare at him while my mind switches gears. So… thisisn’tabout Kirilee?

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