Page 40 of Ranch's Resolve

I slip my hand under my kutte before opening the door. When I find two of my ranch hands on the porch outside, I release my grip on my gun and shake their hands. Stepping aside, I let them enter and introduce them to Adele, Roger, and Athena.

“Patrol the grounds around the immediate area of the house. Call if anything happens. Several of my brothers will be here in the morning to relieve you,” I tell the men before I offer my hand to Athena and lead her outside. Adele follows us outside.

“Thank you for dinner,” Athena says as she hugs Adele. “Talk to your dad about the sanctuary. I’m certain you can convince him it is a good idea.”

“He does,” I assure Adele. “I spoke with him while you were both still in the kitchen. He’s worried about your safety. He isn’t against the idea.”

We wave at Adele as we pull down the driveway and head back to my ranch.

“You and Adele seemed to hit it off,” I say to Athena during the short drive home.

“I like her. I love her idea for the sanctuary. Does her dad really think it is a good Idea? He didn’t seem to be thrilled when she brought it up.”

“He is. He’s just worried,” I say before giving her the highlights of my conversation with Roger. “I think he’ll discuss the idea with her. We need to figure out who is causing the trouble today before he can focus on tomorrow.”

“Good point,” Athena agrees as she yawns hugely.

“Tired?”

“A little. It has been a long day. I’m tired but wound up.”

“Why don’t you head upstairs and slip into something comfortable? I’ll be up in a few minutes. I want to call Dante and give him an update. Then I’ll make sure to tire you out.” I nuzzle her neck when I help her out of the SUV, causing her to giggle. Slapping her ass, I send her inside before pulling out my cell to call Dante.

“Ranch,” Dante answers. He’s breathing heavily on the other end, and I flinch as I wonder if I’ve interrupted him and Tally. He doesn’t sound angry, just winded. “Why the fuck are you calling so late?”

“Am I interrupting something?” I ask with a smirk.

“Fuck off. I wouldn’t have answered if you were. So what do you want?”

I tell him about my discussion with Roger and the new information about the buyer approaching other ranch owners.

“Do you think this asshole is trying to buy all the ranches along the border?”

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s after the ranches on either side of a particular ranch.” Dante’s silent on the other end as he considers my comment. When he remains silent, I continue. “Have you spoken to Angela? Has anyone called her to buy her ranch?”

“No one has contacted her, but then not many know she owns that property. She bought it under a shell company. However, someone may have connected the dots if they know she’s using the property to help those under her protection cross the border. Have you asked Athena about talking to Angelica to find out how she joined the group in Santa Ana?”

“We started to discuss it, but we didn’t finish. There has been a lot going on,” I hedge.

“Yeah, I heard about you carrying her upstairs to your room. Ask her to visit Angelica. If this is an attempt to harm Angela, we need to know sooner rather than later.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to her tonight. I’ll get her to visit Angelica tomorrow. I know she wants to see Selena, too.”

“How is the prisoner doing?”

“So far, so good. I also met Carlos’s son Santiago. He seems protective of the kid, so I’m sure he’ll behave himself. Max will put him to work and keep a close eye on him.”

As I climb the porch, I hear a noise coming from the side of the house. Drawing my gun, I approach the side and glance around. I don’t see or hear anything, but the ground is in shadow and too dark to make out anything. Taking out a flashlight, I play it around the area but see nothing. Pausing, I strain to listen. I hear the horses snuffling but nothing else. A sound behind me has me wheeling around. I lower my gun when I see Max.

“Problem?” Max asks.

“No. I just thought I heard someone.”

“Might have been Mark. He’s on guard duty tonight.”

“Probably,” I say, smacking Max on the back before heading inside. Why am I wasting my time outside prowling for ghosts when I could be prowling the naked body of my woman?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: ATHENA

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