Page 164 of Outlaws of Tulsa

“I think they’ve been hunting for the missing kid who won’t talk,” I explain with a huff. “Which is why they were looking into me and my brother because he’s one of us.”

“Get this kid to talk,” Dan commands. “If he can tell us where they’re at, we can bring their whole operation down.”

“I’m telling you, man, if he had something to tell, he’d do it. It’s a waste of time. Trust me. But listen. They took Agent Gale’s brother last night. Tried to get her sister too.”

“Fuck. You’re certain it was them?”

“She described Urbano Vidal to a T. It’s him.”

“Then we need to use her,” Dan says quickly. “I can send a team to her. Is she in Alabama?”

“No. Her siblings were in college. Calla and Cove Gale. University of Arkansas. She drove to my place this morning.”

“Your house?” He sighs. “Agent Gale is in hiding at your place?”

A beat of silence. “Yeah. Don’t fuck me over, man.”

“Fuck you, Jeremy. I’m your friend, dumbass.”

“Right. Sorry,” I rush out. “I have both Calla and Brenda here. We need a team sent to the University of Arkansas for questioning the other students there. See if we can’t get a make on the vehicles or if anyone knows anything.”

“You think they’ve followed the girl out here? Want me to send some men to your place?” he asks. “Extra security?”

As much as I don’t want my home crawling with Feds, I feel like it’s probably smart. “Send a couple of guys, yeah. Don’t tell them what’s going on, though. I’m taking a risk by telling you.”

“And I’m taking a risk helpingyou. Give a guy some credit.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Don’t thank me until we bring these bastards down.”

As soon as I hang up, I call my brother. After filling him in on the newest development, even the part where I called Dan, I end the call and go to find my girl. She’s curled up on the sofa beside her sister, trying to comfort the poor girl. Both dogs are tense and seated at their feet, clearly feeling the worry in the air.

“Koyn wants me there so we can put our heads together to find Cove,” I say to Stormy. “I would bring you with, but they already know where Koyn lives. It’s probably not the best idea. My house is safe and off the beaten path. I’ve got some guys coming to watch the house. As soon as they’re here, I’ll leave. If for some crazy reason you need to hide, the storm shelter closet is the safest place because it’s encased in steel with a bolt.”

“I want a gun.”

There’s my girl.

I slip from the room and return with a Glock. A piece this woman is more than familiar with using. After making sure it’s loaded and ready to go, I drop a kiss to her lips.

“We’re going to find him, baby,” I assure her.

“We have to, Copper. They’re my only family I’ve got left.”

Stormy

Once Copper leaves, a sense of dread washes over me. For a brief moment, I’m a terrified woman, hiding from the bad men. It takes a calming breath and then I remember who I am.

Former FBI Agent Gale.

Catching the bad guys and finding people is my job. I can protect my sister. Glancing down, I admire her soft, delicate features. So innocent, just like Cove. They’ve always been babies to me. Probably always will be. I slip off the couch, careful not to wake Calla. She’s exhausted from driving two hours this morning and then crying her eyes out with worry.

“Keep an eye on her,” I tell Gretel.

Gretel is smart because she doesn’t leave her post. Hansel, my overprotective boy, follows me through the house to Copper’s and my room. I quickly change out of my loungewear into jeans, a hoodie, and my biker boots.

It’s the wrong time to be thinking about this morning and the way Copper and I made love, but I can’t get it out of my head. There’s no other way to describe it. Our bodies were loving each other and making promises. The forever kind.

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