Page 93 of Christmas with Three Cowboys

“I didn’t think it would go wrong! I was supposed to get my drugs back!” he shouts. “Okay? I was supposed to get them out of lockup. But that idiot had to fucking die and I was stuck on the outside looking in. That money would’ve secured a clean escape.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted the two million for when you first came to the ranch?”

He nods once. “Yeah. That was the plan. Finish what I’d started.”

“What happened?”

“What I told you would happen if you didn’t move fast,” he replies. “The cartel caught up with me. So I had to play my part some more. I had to try to at least get them their money so I wouldn’t have to spend the rest of my life hiding or looking over my shoulder.”

“While I rot in a shallow grave somewhere, right?”

He can’t possibly be this thick or self-absorbed because that would mean I was completely blind and incredibly stupid throughout our relationship. I can’t even fathom not spotting any of the signs. Jake must’ve lost his marbles somewhere along the way. This egregious callousness must be the result of some kind of psychotic break. The cartel caught up with him, and now he’s overwhelmed, trying to untangle himself from a potentially deadly situation.

I’m in no position to further antagonize him, though.

He’s the one with the gun, and he’ll probably kill me if he doesn’t get what he wants. I can only pray that Darla realized I didn’t leave on my own. I can only pray they’re out there looking for me, trying to get to me. Colton, Ethan, Mitch. My heart aches as I think of them. They must be worried sick. I need to find a way to get myself out of here.

“What’s the plan, then?” I ask Jake. “I’m going to stay here until when exactly?”

“I’m not sure. This wasn’t exactly organized. I had to take advantage of Louisa’s disdain for you. She texted me; you know? As soon as you and that crabby bitch walked into the diner.Louisa’s a good girl. Loyal. Proactive. Not like you, constantly bitching and moaning. She understands me.”

“She’s a child who’s miffed that her little crush won’t give her the time of day,” I mutter. “You’re Louisa’s consolation prize at best.”

He laughs. “Oh, right. ’Cause her crush is too busy boning you. See how it worked out? In my favor. The universe loves me, Melissa. That’s why we’re here, why I had to do all this.” He grins like a madman. “After I heard about the cartel visit, after I saw your ranch hands patrolling the fence, I knew my options were limited. I had to act.”

“So you figured you’d take me and hold me hostage, hoping the Averys will pay.”

“Precisely. I saw the way Colton looked at you. I saw how far his brothers are willing to go in order to protect you. I don’t know what you did to them, honestly, but kudos to you. You had a nice thing going over there. It’s a shame you had to ruin it.”

“Iruined it?”

“Yeah, by not complying with my terms and conditions,” he replies with a cold sneer. “I told you, didn’t I? Get the money and you might survive. You insisted on playing the victim, and here we fucking are! You forced me to do something I honestly didn’t want to do.”

He steps closer, gun still pointed at me. I take a step back.

“What are you doing?” I ask with a trembling voice.

He takes a pair of cuffs out of his back pocket. “I need to make sure you stay put while I run some errands. My cartel contacts have gone dark, and I’m worried they’re going to do somethingdrastic before I have a chance to squeeze your boyfriends for their cash and get ahead of the problem.”

“You’re joking.”

The gun’s cold touch sends chills from my cheek all the way down my spine. “No, Melissa. I’m done playing nice. Do as you’re told, or I will blow your brains out. It’s an option. Not my first choice, but I will make it if you push me.”

29

Ethan

Searching the streets of Long Pine got us nowhere. No one has seen Miller or his car.

“He was smart, and he was careful,” Colton says as we meet outside the sheriff’s office. “Figured out how to avoid any traffic cameras.”

“Chances are he took her out of Long Pine,” I reply. “What did the sheriff want?”

It’s dark, now. The night is deep and black above, while the town is bathed in the golden glow of streetlamps. I would’ve considered it beautiful, even worthy of a midnight stroll with Melissa hanging from my arm—but given the circumstances, everything feels bleak and ominous.

“Our Ranger buddy came through,” Colton says. “They’ve got Laurel upstairs in one of their interview rooms. I was thinking we might talk to her, see what she knows. The deputies are still out there, patrolling and working their way out of Long Pine. It’s all they can do without any reports or tips coming in.”

“They’ve got Melissa’s and Jake’s photo posted everywhere. Someone will spot them eventually,” I exhale deeply. “Yeah, let’s see what Laurel can tell us.”

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