Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
JB kept his distance, circling the truck wide to the back. “The door?”
“I looked inside, but the door was partially open when I arrived.”
“There’s another set of tracks behind the truck like the ones in front. Looks like two vehicles. Skid marks on the asphalt. They forced her off the road.” JB’s voice was low and cold as he methodically detailed what he read of the scene.
“Someone took her? You think someone took her?” Carlyle’s voice cracked and shook.
JB said nothing as he moved toward the driver’s door and carefully peered inside. When he straightened, he held up a phone. Katie’s phone, judging by the protective white case. “On the floor under the driver’s seat. Must have fallen when she stopped or…”
“Oh, God! Katie!” Carlyle moaned.
Cole wanted to console the man, but it was more important that they get his wife and JB’s sister back safely. He grabbed his phone and quickly called Noah.
“What do you got?” Noah answered.
“Katie has been kidnapped. Maybe missing ninety minutes. Less than a mile from the Alexander Ranch.”
Noah swore loudly, and there was a brief shuffle. Rowe’s voice filled his ear while Noah continued to vow death on everyone’s head in the background.
“Dillinger?” Rowe asked.
“That’s my guess.”
“JB going to the cops?”
Cole looked up to see the man marching toward him with a dark look in his eye. This was a side of JB he’d never seen before. The former Army Ranger who was prepared to rain destruction on anyone who crossed his path. He’d seen that same look in Rowe’s and Noah’s eyes a few times.
“Not likely.”
“Is that Rowe? Noah?” JB snapped.
Cole held the phone out toward him. “Rowe.”
JB grabbed the phone and pressed it to his ear, continuing to march toward the truck, leaving Carlyle and Cole to catch up. “They got my sister. When can you get here?” There was a moment of silence, and then he nodded. “We’ll be ready.”
He ended the call and handed the phone to Cole. Carlyle was helped into the back seat and then Cole climbed behind the wheel. The man was in no shape to drive. Once JB was seated beside him, Cole turned the truck toward the ranch.
“This has got to be Dillinger,” JB snarled. “Logan might hate me and be a total asshole, but he wouldn’t do anything to hurt my sister.”
“We’ll get her, and we’ll deal with Dillinger,” Cole promised.
“Do you think he’d hurt her?” Carlyle asked.
“No, I don’t. Hurting Katie doesn’t help him get what he wants,” Cole quickly replied and prayed that he was right.
He drove as fast as he could to the ranch, where Jesse was waiting for them in front of the house. His old face was heavily lined with worry, and Cole swore his eyes swam with tears and barely contained rage.
“That bastard Dillinger called just minutes ago,” he announced as soon as they stepped out of the truck. “I’m to come to his ranch at midnight to make a swap. The ranch for Katie.”
“Is she all right? Did you talk to her?” Carlyle demanded.
“I could hear her in the background, cussing up a storm and givin’ them hell. Sounds like she’s fine.” Jesse paused and the tiniest hint of a smile crossed his lips. “Though I’m sure a few of Dillinger’s men aren’t going to be.”
“We’re not giving up the ranch,” JB growled.
“What! What about your sister?” Carlyle started toward JB, but Cole quickly inserted himself between the two men, restraining Carlyle.
“We’re getting her back, too. We’ve got friends on the way who are very good at this kind of shit,” Cole countered. “They will help us get Katie and make Dillinger wish he never fucking crossed this family.”
Cole looked over his shoulder to see Jesse lift a white eyebrow at JB. “This your Army friend? The crazy one who blows up buildings?”
JB smirked at his father. “I’m pretty sure Rowe would argue that it was only a little C-4 and one tiny multi-story building.”
“Sir,” Cole said. “Ward Security has never failed to save a client or friend in trouble. The very best are flying here right now. They will get Katie back.”
Jesse gave a small nod. “Whatever you need, Cole. Get it done.” He then wrapped an arm around Carlyle and started to usher him toward the house. “Come on, Car. Let’s go help settle Bel down and make sure the kids are seen to for the day.”
Cole turned to find JB staring at him, a mix of painful emotions twisting up his features. “You’ve done this kind of thing before. Rowe and Noah are bringing help, right? What can I do? He’s not leaving me out of this because it’s my sister.”
Cupping JB’s face, he kissed the man hard. “Rowe knows you’re planning to be right in the middle of shit. I’m sure he’s counting on it. Is there anyone else here who would be good under fire? Can follow precise orders? Handy with a gun?”