Page 16 of Ranch's Resolve

“No, I’m not alone. My brother and cousin stopped by. They wanted my advice.” She studies me for a moment, then murmurs. “I wonder.” When I start to ask her what she wonders, she waves it off. “Probably not related, but I could be wrong. Come inside but stay calm.”

Frowning at her warning, I follow her inside and stop dead. I spot Athena’s brother, Killian, and their cousin, Deion, and give them a nod. Deion was a former gang leader who made himself an enemy of our club when he kidnapped Ashlyn, Flame’s sister and Reaper’s future Old Lady. Deion did it to get back at Reaper for leaving the Spades. However, when Deion rescued Ashlyn, Tanya, and Brooke, along with Ghost’s uncle, wiped the slate clean. While Deion isn’t a friend of the club, I’d say we were on friendly terms. However, neither of them captures my attention. I’m focused on the woman sporting bruises on her lovely face and the broken arm on her adorable daughter.

“Killian, Deion, do you two need help taking out whoever did this?” I ask with deadly calm.

Deion grins and shrugs. “Maybe, but first, we need to get her to safety.”

“Selena, this is my friend Ranch,” Athena says, kneeling before the woman and putting one hand on her arm and another on the little girl’s leg. “I promise you that between Deion and Killian’s friends and Ranch’s friends, you have an army ready to defend you.”

“Can you catch me up?” I ask.

Deion shares Selena’s story and describes the men who came looking for the mother and daughter at the garage. When he describes the car, I raise my hand.

“Tinted windows? Dark purple paint job?”

Deion nods. “Yeah, why?”

I almost answer, but looking at Selena’s wide, worried eyes makes me pause. There's no reason to terrify the woman if it's just a coincidence, even though I know it isn’t. Instead, I nod at the door for Deion to follow me into the hall.

“What’s wrong?” Deion asks.

“There’s a car parked outside that sounds exactly like the one you described. I couldn’t see inside, but I’m convinced at least one person is inside.”

“Fuck,” Deion says, sliding his hand down his face. “I need to get a look.”

Deion studies the office doors across the hall from Athena’s office. One has a plaque that reads, Susanna Clarke, Personal Finance. The other is blank. He knocks on both doors but doesn’t get a response from either. He pulls out a set of lockpicks and opens the door to the unclaimed office. Once inside, he rushes to the window and glances down into the parking lot. “Yeah, that looks like the same vehicle. Fuck. We need to get the women out of here.”

“What was the plan? Why did you bring them here?”

“I was hoping Athena could get Selena and Santina into Crossroads.”

“Shit. She doesn’t have room. That’s okay. I still think it’s a solid plan. It’s the safest place for them. We can figure something out once we get them there. But we need to get them out of here without whoever is watching seeing them.”

“There’s a back way out,” Athena says from behind me. I turn to find her standing at the open door. “I can go downstairs, get in my car, and circle back. I can park in the parking lot behind the Shake Shack. Selena and Santina can go out the back way, and I’ll meet them. There is only a pathway between the two parking lots. A car can’t get through.”

“They’ll follow you,” Deion says. “If there is more than one in the car, one could get out and grab Selena and Santina.”

“Not if we provide a distraction,” I say, considering our options. Deion slides his hand behind his back, where I’m certain he’s stashed a gun. I shake my head to stop him. “I have a better idea. Ever heard of the Jets and the Sharks?”

“How are football and hockey going to help us?” Deion asks.

“Not sports. Broadway.”

“Huh?”

I wave my hand. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Here’s what we’re going to do.” I explain my plan to Deion, who initially seems skeptical, but then he grins.

“That could work.”

“Athena, go explain the plan to Killian and Selena. Then grab your purse. Killian can walk you to your car. You’ll both drive out of here. I’m calling Izzy. She’s a prospect, and she’s tough. She’ll help get everyone to Crossroads. Selena and Santina will feel more comfortable with her than they would with one of the guys.”

Athena nods and returns to her office. Deion and I pull out our phones and implement our plan. Once we finish our calls, we walk out of the empty office. Deion closes the door but doesn’t lock it. We return to Athena’s office to find Athena talking to Selena. Athena has her purse and briefcase in hand. When I hear the roar of a motorcycle, I step back into the empty office and spot Izzy. Without a glance at the car, she rushes into the building and up the stairs. I step back into the hallway to greet her.

“Everyone is on their way,” Izzy says. “Athena and Killian should get going.”

“Okay, let’s do it,” I say, bringing her into Athena’s office and introducing her to the others.

Izzy moves to Selena’s side and squeezes her arm. “I won’t let anything happen to you or your daughter. We’re going to get you to Crossroads, where you will be safe.”

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