Page 45 of Ranch's Resolve

He scoffs. “No security is perfect. Besides, you’re going to drive us right through the gates.”

Movement behind me has me glancing back. Carlos has slid to the floor, the gun pointed at Santiago.

“Drive through the gates, and don’t you fucking dare to alert whoever is inside. Once I’ve completed my business here, I’ll leave. I’m not here to kill anyone if that eases your conscience. I have a message to deliver. Once I’ve delivered the message, I’ll leave. You have my word.”

He must see the skepticism on my face because he chuckles darkly. “Don’t fucking care if you believe me or not. Only carethat you believe I won’t hesitate to put a hole in you and the kid if you don’t get us inside.”

Tamping down the overwhelming sense of betrayal I feel, I approach the gate. The scanner reads my face. The gate slowly opens as I hold my breath. I take heart that this initial gate doesn’t grant us access to the heart of the sanctuary. There is a second wall blocking our entry. The only way to get past it is through the building on the left. Inside the building is a guard. There is no way Carlos will get past the guard. At least, that’s what I’m counting on.

“What the fuck is that?” Carlos sputters when he sees the second wall.

“I told you the Demon Dawgs put in excellent security. We can’t drive into the sanctuary. The only way inside is through the guardhouse, and you won’t get past the guard. No men allowed.”

Carlos fumes for several minutes. I hold my breath and pray that he doesn’t shoot Santiago and me in a fit of temper. He could easily shoot us and leave our bodies before taking off in the SUV. I stiffen when he shifts in the backseat. I see him lift his head high enough to look outside. He’s studying the building. Finally, he slides back down.

“How many guards inside?” he asks.

“One.”

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to get out and come around to get Santiago. I’ll be watching every move you make, so don’t do anything to alert the guards inside. If you do, I’ll shoot the kid. Then I’ll shoot you and anyone else who comes outside. Got it?”

I nod before opening the door. I walk around the hood before opening the passenger door. Before I reach inside to unfasten the car seat's harness, Carlos slides out of the SUV and squats next to the tire. He waves the gun at me to get me moving. Iunfasten Santiago and hoist him into my arms. He cuddles up to me. He’s shivering with fear.

“Go inside the guardhouse. I’ll be right behind you, so don’t try anything,” Carlos growls.

I follow his instructions with trepidation, but I can’t figure out a way to warn the guard inside without risking the life of the child in my arms. I would willingly take the bullet to keep him safe, but I did not doubt that if Carlos shot me, he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot Santiago as well.

I stumble up the steps before reaching for the door. I’ve never been so scared in my life. My hands are trembling so hard that my fingers slip off the door handle. I try again and manage to tug the door open, locking eyes with the smiling guard inside. When I don’t return her greeting, she frowns. I feel Carlos slip in behind me. The guard’s eyes widen. She reaches for her gun, but it’s too late. The bullet lodges between her eyes as the shot echoes through the room. I scream and cover Santiago’s head as he cries out in fear.

“Shut him up!” Carlos yells at me. He circles the guard and heads for the door that leads into the compound.

I stroke Santiago’s back as I sway, trying to calm him.

Carlos returns but barely spares me a glance before he grabs hold of the dead guard’s arm and drags her body over to the door. He holds her hand up to the scanner. The click makes me jump, causing Santiago to whimper. I breathe in deep and let it out slowly. Carlos uses the gun to gesture for me to go through the door ahead of him. I reluctantly led him outside, feeling like a traitor who had betrayed the trust of everyone inside.

We’re several meters into the space when I notice the grounds are empty. Usually, there are dozens of kids running around. Half of me is grateful that no one else is around, but the other half wishes someone would see what was happening and set off the alarm.

“Take me to Selena,” Carlos barks.

I flinch at the mention of her name. I could kick myself for not seeing it sooner. Santiago’s golden eyes were so much like Santina’s. I didn’t make the connection. I should have. As I desperately try to come up with a plan that will get Santiago and me to safety without endangering Selena, I lead Carlos to the apartment Selena is sharing with Angelica. The thought of putting Americo in danger breaks my heart. But how can I sacrifice one child to save another? Carlos said he wouldn’t kill anyone. Am I being foolish and putting everyone’s life at risk?

I knock on Selena’s door, hoping she isn’t home. Maybe Caitlin has taken all the women and children on an excursion. Could we be lucky and circumvent Carlos’s attempts to see Selena? When the door opens, I accept that we aren’t that lucky. Selena offers me a soft smile, but her eyes widen when she spots Santiago, and then they fill with fear when she sees Carlos behind me.

He shoves me inside and slams the door shut behind us.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: RANCH

“Tell everyone available to head in that direction,” Dante orders Smoke as we hightail it to our bikes.

“What about Carver, Flame, Reaper, and Ghost? They’re at the Blanchard ranch.”

“Call them and update them.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Smoke says before ending the call.

Max jogs over as I’m putting on my helmet. “We need to leave. Athena is in trouble. She never made it over to the Blanchard ranch with Santiago,” I tell him.

His face drains of color at my words. “We can’t find Carlos.”

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