Page 64 of Ranger's Justice

I grin, lifting a shoulder in a careless shrug. “Perhaps, but then I’m worth it.”

His nostrils flare, his hands flexing, his entire body vibrating with restraint. For the first time, I can see he’s not sure what to do with me. And I love every second.

The ride back to the ranch is tense, thick with the weight of things left unsaid.

Rush tries to look casual, but I’m learning to spot his tells—muscles tight, gripping the steering wheel like his life depends on it. I should feel bad that I’ve got him on edge, but I don’t. This is kind of fun in a demented sort of way. The man is a stormbarely contained, all coiled energy and restless power, but I don’t push him.

Not yet. Because I know what’s coming. I know exactly how hard he’s going to fight me on this.

We turn down the long dirt road leading to the ranch, and I watch the rugged terrain as we pass by it. There’s a savage beauty about this land. The others are already waiting on the front porch as we roll to a stop in front of the house. Gideon, Dalton, Gage, and Deacon, their expressions grim, their bodies tense with what they think is coming. They’ll take Rush’s side, of course, but it won’t matter. I mean to have my way on this.

Hollister is still out there, and we might not know exactly where he’s going to be, but we do know when.

I shove the SUV door open, stepping into the cool desert air, rolling my shoulders to work out the lingering stiffness from the long ride. Rush moves beside me, his presence a constant heat at my back, his hand twitching at his side like he wants to reach for me but knows better than to try.

Good. He’s learning, because I’m not in the mood to be coddled.

Dalton is the first to speak, his usual grin absent, his gaze sharp. “They settled on a location.”

Gideon nods, crossing his arms. “Hollister’s meeting is confirmed. Two days from now, he’ll be at a private estate just outside of Laredo. He’s bringing the Del Toro people in for a final negotiation before they move the next shipment.”

“My guess is we’ll be on the agenda,” says Deacon, “as in how do they get rid of us?”

I exhale slowly, my mind already working through the logistics. Two days. That’s all we have.

Rush steps forward, his voice even, steady. “Security?”

Gage answers. “Heavy. Hollister isn’t taking chances after what we did to his last two operations. We’re looking at cartelmuscle, hired guns, and high-level players. This isn’t just a deal—it’s the opening salvo in an alliance. Nobody’s going to want to look weak.”

A prickle of unease skates down my spine. If Hollister is securing long-term backing from the Del Toro cartel, that means he’s not planning on cutting and running anytime soon.

He’s planning on expanding. And that is not happening.

I square my shoulders. “I’m in.”

The words land like a bomb in the quiet night.

Rush goes rigid beside me, his head snapping toward me so fast I’m surprised he doesn’t get whiplash. “No.” His tone is flat, final, brooking no argument.

Too bad for him. I turn to face him fully, my hands on my hips. “That wasn’t a request.”

His eyes flash, something dark and wild flickering there before he reins it in. “You’re not going.”

“I wasn’t asking for permission.”

He takes a step closer, his body a wall of barely leashed dominance, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscle ticking beneath his skin. “Cassidy, this isn’t your fight anymore.”

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. “The hell it isn’t.”

He growls, low and deep, and I swear I feel it in my bones. “You got your revenge. You got your proof. I’m handling the rest.”

My temper spikes. “You think this is about revenge?” I shove a finger against his chest, ignoring the way his muscles flex under my touch. “You think I spent years putting this together just to walk away before it’s finished?”

His nostrils flare. “You don’t have to be there.”

“Neither do you,” I shoot back.

His breath leaves him in a sharp exhale, his control slipping, his wolf so close to the surface I swear his eyes darken, just for a second.

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