Before Ravyn could respond, they entered the dining room and Addison pointed to a chair at the large dining table. “Welcome to the family, Ravyn.”
Chapter One
Three days later, Ravyn was still trying to leave the Ramsey ranch. She looked around the pool area and smiled at the noisy chatter of Marisol, Addison, Jenna, and Cassie. Marisol had just finished telling them a story about several young girls she and her group had rescued from a brothel. They’d captured the kidnappers and then had tied them to a pole in the village square, naked as the day they’d been born. The story was funny, but the fact she was telling it in perfect English was the really hilarious part. Before Ravyn could control herself, a small giggle left her lips, drawing their eyes to her. She shrugged, then said, “Sorry, I just think it’s so funny how you switch to Spanish and broken English whenever Thor shows up.”
Marisol laughed. “You should see him when I pretend I don’t understand his Spanish. It really frustrates him.”
“But, Thor speaks perfect Spanish,” Addison said.
Marisol gave a throaty laugh. “Yes, and that’s what frustrates him. I just keep telling him his accent is horrible. The other day, I caught him practicing rolling his r’s.”
Ravyn laughed, took another sip of her iced tea, then pushed her sunhat to the back of her head and raised her face to the sun. The last three nights had been the first time in years that she’d slept for more than a few hours. Just knowing she was safe had relieved the tremendous amount of stress she’d been under for the last eight years. She knew it wouldn’t last and soon she would have to get back to her real life, but she was determined to enjoy it for as long as she could.
Thinking about the last three days, she had to smile. The first day after she’d spent the night, Thor had been called back to Dallas and had made her promise to stay until he could return. She was pretty sure it was a made-up story. Then, the second day, she’d remembered that Cade was Thor’s partner. She’d approached him about putting together a security team for her, but he’d claimed that it was Thor’s job and if he encroached, Thor would take him out. She wasn’t sure what he meant by that but she thought he was trying to say Thor would kill him. Something she found highly unlikely. Today Cade had disappeared and she knew he was avoiding her.
Thinking about her need to get back to Dallas, she took a sip of ice tea while she listened to her companions bicker about what they should call themselves. Addison had decided she was tired of saying all their names when she made plans for them. She’d decided they needed a group name and had suggested that they call themselves “the deck.”
Jenna shaded her eyes as she looked at Addison. “Being pregnant is making you lazy.”
“She has a point, though.” Cassie rubbed a glop of sunscreen into her leg. “It does get tedious.”
Marisol nodded. “If we do that, then we could designate a card for each one of the men. I want the Joker for Thor.”
“That’s mean,” Cassie said, then giggled.
“No, it’s not,” Addison said. “In poker, the joker is the wild card. It suits Thor. I want the Ace for Cade.”
“Then, Jackson gets the King,” Jenna said.
“That leaves the Queen for Luc and Logan,” Cassie said.
“No,” Addison said. “In an Italian deck the Queen is replaced by a knight. They can be the Knight, and Zane can be the Jack. That should confuse them when we talk about them.”
“Calling ourselves the deck sounds boring,” Jenna said.
“We can call ourselves the Royals,” Addison said. “The royal flush is the best hand in poker. It’s the ace, king, knight, jack and ten.”
“Of hearts?” Marisol asked.
“No, spades is the strongest hand, then hearts,” Addison said.
“We’re women. We should be the hearts,” Jenna said.
Addison rolled her eyes. “Okay, we can pretend to be hearts.”
“You’re being a bitch, Addison,” Jenna said. “When did you last eat?”
Addison hushed Jenna, then placed her hands on her baby bump as if she was covering the baby’s ears. “Don’t talk like that in front of Limo.”
Marisol and Cassie laughed but Ravyn said, “I don’t get the joke.”
“Cade and Addison call their baby Limo because he, or she, was conceived in the back of Thor’s limousine. Addison had been kidnapped by Carlos Mendez and when she was returned to Cade by my father, they celebrated on their way home.” Marisol winked, then made a rude gesture by making a circle with her fingers then thrusting the index finger of her other hand through it.
Ravyn laughed, then glanced at Addison. “Okay, now I get it.” She waited a moment, then smiled at Marisol. “Zane said your father is Juan Rios.”
Marisol smiled. “Yes, he is and yes, he’s the head of a drug cartel. He sort of inherited it from my grandfather. It was him or his uncle, who is really, really bad. A real killer.”
Ravyn nodded. “That’s what Zane told me. You must be really worried about your father.”
Marisol nodded. “Yes. For him and for my younger sister, Valentina. She’s safe right now though as long as she stays at the convent and my father can take care of himself.”
Jenna lightened the moment when she leaned over and spoke directly to Addison’s belly. “Limo, your mom’s nuts.” She laughed then sat back. “If Limo’s a boy he’s coming out with a scowl on his face and a paddle in his hand. If it’s a girl, she’ll pick out some poor ‘baby boy somebody’ in the nursery and chase him until he marries her. The same way Addison chased his daddy.”
“Jenna, that’s mean,” Addison said. “Cade’s not as bad as he used to be and he says we are not having a daughter. Ever.”
“Notice she doesn’t deny that any daughter of hers would chase some poor guy until he gave in,” Jenna said.
Addison laughed then stuck her nose in the air. “The women in my family know from an early age who they want to marry.”
Jenna threw a towel at Addison. “I hope you have twin girls. That would teach Cade a lesson.”
Ravyn laughed, then picked up her cell phone when it buzzed. She didn’t recognize the name of the messenger and felt herself tighten with nerves. She opened the text and her hand shook, spilling ice-cold tea on her sun-warmed leg. Without looking, she reached out to set the plastic cup down and missed the table. It crashed to the ground as she looked at the picture that had been sent to her. She fought the tears in her eyes and bit her lip until she tasted blood, then closed the text. “I have to get back to Dallas,” she said, relieved that her sunglasses hid the devastation in her eyes as she stood up, tried to smile, and failed.
Addison stood as well. “Can’t you stay until Cade returns?”
Ravyn shook her head. “No. I have to go now.” She lowered her eyes even though she knew they couldn’t see them. “It’s important.”
“Royal group hug,” Addison said, and Jenna, Cassie, and Marisol stood up and surrounded Ravyn.
Ravyn fought back the tears that were threatening to fall as they hugged her. She couldn’t say anything without losing control, so she just hugged them back and squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she could.
“We’ll help you pack,” Jenna said as they released her and then began walking with her toward the house.
“You don’t have to do that. I didn’t bring that much.”
Marisol shook her head. “Nonsense. This is what friends are for, and we are your friends, Ravyn. If you ever need help, for any reason, we’re all just a phone call away.”
Ravyn nodded, then hurried into the house and up the stairs to her room. The ladies were one step behind her. She removed her hat and tossed it onto the bed, but kept hold of her phone.
“You can jump in the shower and wash the sunscreen off while we start packing your bag,” Addison said.
“Okay.” Ravyn looked around, trying to remember what she was supposed to be doing, then remembered the picture. “My bag is in the closet and I can pack my cosm
etics when I get out of the shower.” She sent them a little smile. “I really appreciate your help. The last three days have been wonderful.”
“You’re welcome to come back anytime you like,” Addison said.
Ravyn stepped toward the bathroom, then shook her head and turned toward the closet and disappeared for a moment before she appeared again with some clothes over her arm. She closed the bathroom door and stared at herself in the mirror. Her hands hurt from clutching the phone so tightly. She looked at it then dropped it on the counter and made herself turn on the shower before she slipped out of her swimsuit and stepped beneath the warm spray.
She’d thought she was being watched, but she didn’t know if whoever was tracking her knew she was at the Ramsey Ranch. Maybe they were just sending her another warning to remind her to keep her mouth shut. In any case, it was time she left. She shouldn’t let herself get used to dropping her guard like this.
The one thing that surprised her the most was that Mendez hadn’t yet ordered her to confess to the crimes Charles had committed. Somehow, though, she knew the demand was only a few days away. She’d spent hours wondering why the message hadn’t already arrived and had come to the conclusion that Mendez was teaching Charles a lesson by letting him sweat it out in jail.
That thought led to the memory of Cade saying they had the flash drive Charles had kept as insurance against Mendez. She knew part of what was on it. Charles had made her an accomplice by forcing her to type in the information concerning the drug deliveries and money laundering. He had probably typed in the information concerning the women they’d abducted and abused. Although, his lover might have been included in that part of his criminal activities. If he’d included the unknown woman, she’d be surprised, though, as Charles was a paranoid bastard and a cold-blooded killer who didn’t trust anyone.
She watched the suds swirl down the drain as the old feeling of hopelessness overwhelmed her again. She wanted to give up but no matter how she felt, she had to continue doing as she was ordered. If she didn’t, Mendez might think she was ignoring his warnings and carry out his threat.
* * * *
Addison, Jenna, Cassie, and Marisol heard the shower running and looked at each other.
“Dammit, she took her phone with her,” Cassie said.
“We’ve given her three days to open up to us. Whatever she’s protecting, it’s important enough that we couldn’t crack her,” Jenna said. “I know that look in her eyes because I’ve seen it in the eyes of trauma patients in the emergency room. Ravyn needs our help.”
Addison nodded. “Jenna, you and Marisol start packing her things.”
Jenna and Marisol disappeared into the closet as Addison settled into the chair by the window and planted her chin in the palm of her hand.
“How are we going to get her to trust us if she leaves?” Cassie asked.
Addison grinned. “I suddenly feel the need to shop for maternity clothes coming on.”
Cassie smiled. “I need new, uh, stuff too.”
Marisol and Jenna walked back into the room carrying an armload of clothes and a large suitcase. “Did I hear someone say something about shopping?” Jenna asked.
“I think we should go home with Ravyn and go shopping tomorrow,” Addison said.
“There’s no way we’re getting off this ranch,” Marisol said.
“Sure there is,” Addison said. “The guys are in a meeting at Club Mystique so that gives us time to escape.”
“Since we’re going shopping all we have to do is grab some clothes for tonight and tomorrow, and our cosmetic bags, and put them in Ravyn’s suitcase,” Cassie said. “Then, we walk her out to her car, tell her we can’t in good conscious let her go home alone and jump in her car, and off we go.” She smiled at Marisol. “You might just get that spanking you’ve been wanting Thor to give you.”
“We’re all going to get a spanking if we do this,” Jenna said.
“Won’t be the first time,” Addison replied.
“That’s easy for you to say.” Cassie frowned. “You’re pregnant, so Cade’s going easy on you.”
Addison grinned and rubbed her baby bump. “You, too, can be in my condition—all you have to do is spread ’em and get ’em.”
Marisol laughed then sobered. “That’s oddly funny, Addison, but if we’re going to do this let’s get busy. Addison and Jenna, go grab what you’ll need, and while you’re at it could you grab my clothes from the spare room? My other things are at the club so I’ll just have to make do with what I have here.”
“Ravyn probably has something you can wear, Marisol,” Jenna said. “And Addison can grab something for Cassie.” Jenna looked at Cassie. “I’ll grab your clothes from the spare room along with Marisol’s.”
They heard the sound of the shower being turned off and Addison and Jenna hurried from the room while Marisol and Cassie finished packing Ravyn’s case. The blow dryer switched on as they put the last of Ravyn’s things in the case.
“They better hurry or Ravyn will catch us,” Marisol said.
“If she does and tries to stop us, we’ll just follow her.”
“You know, I think we should take Thor’s vehicle. It has dark windows and security will just think he’s leaving,” Marisol said. “They’ll just wave us through like they always do when they see his vehicle.”
“Good idea,” Cassie said as she walked around the room, gathering weapons from the places she’d hidden them during a previous visit with Cade and Addison. By the time she was finished, she had several guns, knives, zip ties, flashlights, and loops of cording piled on the bed.
“Do you have weapons hidden in every room in this house, Cassie?”
“Yes,” Cassie said as she dropped to her knees and reached under the bed, and pulled out a backpack and several loaded magazines. She stood up and stuffed the items into the backpack.
“Do you have a weapon I can borrow?”
“Sure. You can take your pick.” Cassie pointed to the backpack on the bed. “I’ll be right back.”
Marisol chose a 9mm with two fourteen-round magazines before she chose a knife and grabbed a couple zip ties.
The bedroom door opened and Addison and Jenna walked in, followed by a dressed Cassie with her hands full of weapons. Addison and Jenna stuffed their clothes in Ravyn’s suitcase while Cassie shoved the weapons in the backpack.
“Look,” Addison said, holding up a gun. “I’m armed, and so are Jenna and Cassie. We’re loaded for bear.”
Marisol squeaked in alarm and stepped back. Behind Addison, Cassie held up a magazine, then pointed toward Addison’s gun. Marisol laughed then grabbed her dress from Addison and slipped it over her head before she stepped into her sandals. A moment later, she grabbed the weapons she’d chosen and shoved them in the skirt’s deep pockets. “I’m ready. Did Cassie tell you about taking Thor’s vehicle?”
“Yes, but who can drive it?” Addison asked. “I know I won’t be able to reach the pedals.”
“I think I can drive it,” Marisol said as the bathroom door opened behind them and Ravyn walked out.
“I’ve got my cosmetic bag and I’m ready to go,” Ravyn said.
“Wonderful,” Jenna said. “I’m almost finished with your bag.” She held out her hand. “Here, give me that and I’ll add it to your suitcase.”
Addison distracted Ravyn by walking closer to her. “Did you get everything from the bathroom?” She took the cosmetic bag from Ravyn and handed it to Jenna.
Ravyn looked around, but held onto her cell phone. “I’m sure I did.” She picked up her purse, then dropped the phone into it. She looked around one last time, then reached for her case.
Cassie grabbed it and lowered it to the floor. “I’ve got it.” She walked through the door, rolling the case behind her, then bumped it down the stairs. “You sure pack light, Ravyn.”
“Well, I only planned to stay a week or so when I accepted Addison’s invitation.”
Addison walked down the steps be
side Ravyn. Marisol tucked her purse beneath her arm, then stepped around them. “I’ll meet you out on the front drive.”
Ravyn stepped off the bottom step and forced a smile to her lips before she turned to face them. “I’ve really enjoyed the past three days,” she said, then the memory of her father’s stern voice demanding she play the social butterfly forced her to add, “Perhaps you can visit me sometime.” She cleared her throat, then laughed nervously. “In prison, probably, but you’d be welcome. I mean, if you wanted to see me.” She trailed off, feeling foolish. “You probably wouldn’t want to, though.”
Addison smiled and took her arm, then guided her onto the front porch. “Funny you should say that, Ravyn.” She led her off the porch and down the sidewalk to a huge, black vehicle. “Because we’ve decided to go home with you and go shopping tomorrow.”
Cassie stepped around them and the suitcase rumbled down the sidewalk and onto the drive before she opened the back hatch and dropped the case into the empty space, then jumped into the backseat. A second later, her hand appeared and she grabbed Ravyn, then pulled her into the vehicle. Jenna pushed on her bottom, then took a seat next to her. Addison jumped into the front seat and laughed as Ravyn realized she was trapped.
“Okay, here we go,” Marisol said as she engaged the gears and they jerked forward and a grinding sound came from the engine before it died. “Oops! Sorry. I swear I’ll get the hang of it before we reach Dallas.” She started the engine again and they jerked forward a few more feet, then took off, leaving a screech of tires behind them. When they reached the new guard shack at the end of the mile-long drive, she didn’t even try to slow down as the gates swept open and she sped through them. They took the turn on two wheels, then raced toward the interstate.
“Addison?” Ravyn asked. “What are you doing? My car is still at the ranch.”
Addison knelt on the seat and tried to look over the large headrest. When she couldn’t see over it, she leaned to the side and smiled. “We didn’t think it would be okay for you to go home alone, so we’re going with you. We can go shopping.”
Maxwell, Mardi - Zane's Choice [The Doms of Club Mystique 4] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 3