Page 51 of Ranch's Resolve

CHAPTER THIRTY: ATHENA

I’d met Dante’s mother one time when we were both here at Crossroads. She was a stunning woman with luscious black hair that fell down her back and billowed around a striking face. Her most exotic feature was her odd gray eyes. They were like looking into an overcast sky heralding an oncoming storm. Dante’s are similar, but his more often resembles the sky as the storm hits, like now.

Dante turns and punches the wall before yanking out his phone and storming from the room.

The kids whimper and bury their faces in their mom’s side. Both Angelica and Selena stare wide-eyed at the hole Dante made in the wall. Tally heaves out a sigh as she rises.

“It’s okay. He’s upset, but he isn’t upset with you. I’m sorry you had to experience his temper. The woman Carlos and his father plan to kill is Dante’s mother. He’s understandably upset,” Tally explains.

Kingsley translates Tally’s words to Angelica. Instead of calming her, Angelica begins to weep.

Tally moves to her and lays a calming hand on her shoulder. “Tell her not to worry. That Dante doesn’t blame her. He isn’t angry with her. Or you,” Tally says to Selena.

Selena stares at Tally. “We should leave.”

Tally and Caitlin share a look. “You can’t stay here,” Caitlin agrees. “Not because we don’t want you here, but because Carlos will come here looking for you if he returns to this country. Plus, you no longer have a front door.”

Her comment causes several of us to chuckle, which breaks some of the tension.

“They could stay at the clubhouse,” Tally suggests. “They’ll be safe there.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Chaos says. He and the others have been mostly silent until now. “If we’re heading out to protect Angela, and I’m certain that’s Dante’s plan, we can’t leave too many men at the clubhouse.”

“I have a suggestion,” I offer. When everyone turns to me, I explain. “I can call my cousin, Deion. Their club might be able to help find Selena and Angelica a safe house. Deion would have taken Selena and Santina in when he first found them, but he brought them to me because Carlos and his men tracked her to his garage. Carlos might not consider the possibility that Selena would take a step backwards, so to speak.”

I don’t miss the brightening of Selena’s expression when I mention my handsome, yet intimidating, cousin. She obviously felt something for him. Not surprising since he was likely the first man she’d met in many years who protected rather than abused her.

“That’s a good idea,” Chaos says. “Would he be willing to help?”

I nod, confident that Deion would be more than willing. “He’ll do it. Let me call him.” I pat myself down, looking for my phone, and realize I left it in my purse. “Where’s my purse?” I ask, only to remember that it is likely still in the SUV. “It’s in the SUV.”

“I’ll get it,” Cole offers before jogging out the door.

“We should pack up Angelica and Selena’s things if they’re moving to a new location,” Caitlin suggests.

I step outside and find Grimm watching Dante as he paces and talks on the phone. Dante’s agitation is apparent as he repeatedly runs his fingers through his hair when he’s not grasping his neck and staring at the sky.

I spot Cole jogging my way. He has my purse in his hands. When he hands it to me, he glances over toward his President before disappearing back inside the apartment.

I jam my hand into my purse and search around before pulling out my phone and calling Deion. He answers on the second ring.

“Athena? What’s wrong? Did something happen to Selena or Tiny?”

His concern for Selena and her daughter releases the tension I didn’t know I was carrying. He’ll help her. Of that, I have no doubt. Now, I need to figure out how to tell him what happened without sending him over a cliff, or worse, sending him on a rampage to find Carlos. Maybe I should have called Killian instead. It’s too late now.

“Selena and Tiny are safe, but they can no longer stay at Crossroads. Tiny’s father found them. He hurt Selena, but she’ll be okay. He didn’t break any bones, but he hurt her.”

“How the fuck did he find her at Crossroads?” Deion shouts. “I thought she’d be safe there.”

I take a deep breath and tell him. “It’s my fault.” I then explain how Carlos stowed away in my car and forced me to take him to Crossroads.

“Wait. You’re saying Tiny has a brother?”

“Santiago is her twin brother. I didn’t have a choice but to bring them here. I’m very sorry, but I couldn’t let him shoot the boy.”

“No. No, you couldn’t have done that. I’m sorry. I didn’t ask. Are you hurt?”

“I have a bruise on my cheek, but otherwise, I’m fine.”

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