Roped In (Armed & Dangerous, #2)(6)

I winked up at her. “You have nothing to worry about.”

She shook her head – clearly not believing me – and took off for the fields. “See ya tonight!” she shouted.

Inside the barn, my phone rang. I rushed in, recognizing the number on the screen. “I’ll be damned, if it isn’t Robert Wilson,” I answered.

Robert chuckled. “What’s up, Evans? You enjoying the cowboy life out there?”

I looked at my horses and the snow-capped mountains. Was I enjoying it? Hell yeah, I was. It was hard work, but I couldn’t imagine going back to my old life. “You have no idea. I never thought I’d enjoy riding horses and shoveling shit.”

“And that is something I never thought I’d hear you say. Have you taken on any missions since you’ve been out there?”

“A couple small tasks. Why, what’s up?”

He cleared his throat. “Just asking.”

“And why do I not believe that?”

The line went quiet for a second. “Because it’s a lie. I need a damn favor.”

“Thought so. I knew you wouldn’t call just to shoot the shit. What do you need?”

I sat down on a hay bale and kicked up my feet. The sun had started to go down behind the mountains, bringing in the cool, evening breeze. It was early May and the weather was perfect, not like back home where it was smoldering and humid.

He blew out a heavy sigh. “We had a suspect escape after a break in. He killed one and the other is in critical condition.”

I sat up and held the phone closer. “Any leads on where the suspect went?”

“Not yet. We’re working on it.”

“Do you need me to find him?”

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “If only that were it. I have someone else on it already. What I need from you is something much different.”

When he explained the situation, there was only one thing I could say. “Fuck no.”





Hadley

“Hadley,” a soft voice called out, followed by a knock.

It was Susan, Robert’s wife. She did her best to make me feel at home, but I couldn’t find the comfort. She had kind brown eyes and chocolate colored hair, adorned with wisps of gray. Talking to her helped get my mind off of things, but once I was left alone for the night, everything came rushing back.

Rubbing my swollen, red eyes, I left my perch on the window seat and opened the door. Still in her flannel pajamas, she held out a tray with a stack of pancakes and syrup. My stomach growled at the smell.

Her smile vanished the moment she looked at my face. “Oh dear, have you been in here crying all night?” Walking past me, she set the tray down on the dresser and turned a motherly glare my way, propping her hands on her hips.

Surely, I didn’t look that bad? I glanced at myself in the full length mirror, and saw I was worse than I thought. “I was thinking about Scott and Nick. My heart hurts for them.”

She glanced over at the perfectly made bed, her expression weary. “You didn’t sleep either?”

I shrugged. “I was afraid I’d have nightmares.”

Her face and arms relaxed. Reaching for me, her warm fingers grasped my wrists. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but you need to take care of yourself. You’re leaving for Wyoming in just a couple of hours. Why don’t you eat and take a shower? I’ll be downstairs if you want to talk.”

My throat closed up, so I nodded, hoping it’d appease her. Once she was gone, I ate as much as I could, then took a long, hot shower. The deputy who’d packed my bag of clothes put several pairs of jeans and T-shirts inside. I grabbed whatever came first and put them on. Before I could leave the room, my phone rang and I jumped. It was a number I didn’t recognize.

“Hello?”

“Hadley, it’s me,” Felicity rasped. My heart dropped; she sounded horrible.

Clenching the phone, I collapsed onto the bed. “Please tell me you have good news.”

She sniffled. “Not exactly. Nick’s been put in a medical coma. He went through several surgeries last night to repair the damage. They . . .” Her voice caught and she sucked in a shaky breath. “They lost him at one point and had to revive him.”

I slapped a hand to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

“All we can do is pray.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I choked back tears. “I will, every day.” I glanced at the clock and realized I only had a little time before my plane left for Wyoming. Grabbing my bag, I got to my feet, decision made. “I’m coming out there. I have to see him.”

“Are you sure you’re able to? What happened after I left?”

I blew out a frustrated breath. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain when I get there.”

“Okay. Just be careful. The pariahs are everywhere.”

“Noted. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Before hanging up, she told me the room number and I said my goodbyes.

We always called the paparazzi, the pariahs. It didn’t surprise me they were hanging around the hospital. Some of them were really nice, but most couldn’t wait to catch you with your pants down so they could screw you in the ass. Anything to get a headline.

Opening the bedroom door, I took one last look around before heading downstairs. I froze on the steps when the front door slammed shut and a voice I’d never heard before echoed throughout the house. My heart stopped and I sucked in a breath. Had the creeper found me already?