Calculated Risk

by Janie Crouch

  Her stomach was cramping in panic. She tried to think of what her mother would’ve done in the same situation.

  Her mother never would’ve gotten herself in this situation. She would’ve left the babies at the first homeless shelter she could find an hour after they’d shown up in her car.

  A tap on the window startled a scream out of Bree. She looked out the windshield first and saw two large men moving toward her, then looked out her window to see who had knocked, fearing the worst.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tanner felt like a complete heel as he knocked on Bree’s window. She had no color left in her face and was looking like she might vomit at any second. He hated that he had put her through this, but there’d been no other way. Her car had the tracking device and a transmitter.

  She was looking at him, sucking in deep breaths, confusion clear on her face. Tanner put his finger up to his lips in a motion to be quiet and then gestured for her to open the door.

  As soon as she did, he put two fingers over her lips, then reached over and cranked up the radio. As he helped Bree out of the car, he nodded to the two men who were assisting him—Zac Mackay and Gavin Zimmerman, friends of Tanner’s brother—two men who had no tie whatsoever to Risk Peak. They went around to either side of the car and gently picked up the car seat carriers with the kids inside.

  “I—” Bree started, but Tanner shook his head.

  “There’s both a tracking device and a recording device in your car,” he whispered close to her ear. “The radio will drown out most of what we say, but not all.”

  If anything, her face got even paler. She nodded, and he led her over to his mother’s car, a late-model Honda CR-V. They all got inside, a tight fit with four adults and two baby carriers.

  “I don’t understand what’s happening,” Bree said as soon as the doors closed.

  Tanner gave her the most reassuring smile he could. “This is Gavin and Zac. They both served in the army with my brother, Noah. They live a couple hours from here in Wyoming. Gavin is going to take your car back in that direction and hopefully lead the people searching for you on a wild goose chase.”

  Zac gave her his charming grin that made Tanner itch to punch his friend in the face. “I’m just here as taxi service before going directly back home.”

  Bree looked at Gavin and Zac before returning her eyes to Tanner. “But I thought you wanted me out of Risk Peak.”

  “When I found the tracker and the bug, I knew you weren’t safe in town anymore. But I needed to make it look like I thought it was better if you were gone. That you weren’t my problem anymore and I had no idea of your whereabouts.”

  And he was going to catch hell for it. His phone was already ringing off the hook—friends, family, damn near everyone—and it would just continue to get worse as word spread.

  “Oh. I didn’t understand,” Bree whispered.

  As if he hadn’t known that from the moment he’d mentioned leaving at the Sunrise. She was terrified and thought he’d just kicked her out on her own without so much as a goodbye.

  That, they would be talking about later. Right now they had bigger problems.

  “How did you know to get out of your apartment?”

  “Melissa called me. They were tracking the phone. She told me to destroy it and get out.”

  He wanted more details, but they didn’t have time.

  Tanner reached over and covered Bree’s hand that was clenched around the car seat. “I’m going to help hide you. But Gavin has to take your car, and you might never see it again.”

  “That’s fine,” she whispered.

  “I’ll get all the twins’ stuff out of it first. Stay here, okay?”

  She nodded, exhaustion bracketing her mouth.

  Tanner got out of the car with Zac and Gavin.

  “I owe you guys one.” He was careful to keep his volume low enough for the transmitter not to pick it up over the radio.

  Zac shook his head. “Your brother is like family to us, so that means you are, too. But those tracking and transmitting devices are high-end. She’s got some big-name trouble after her, I’m afraid.”

  Tanner was afraid of that, too.

  Gavin slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll get them off your tail for as long as possible. You’re going to have your hands full. Have Noah give a shout in our direction if you need the sort of help that doesn’t involve government red tape, and we’ll be there.”

  Tanner was hoping it wouldn’t come to that.

  He got the rest of Bree’s belongings from her car and transferred them to his. A few moments later, Bree’s car was pulling away, Gavin behind the wheel, Zac following in the second car.

  He didn’t have to worry about Zac and Gavin—they were both former Special Forces. They knew how to surveil, mislead and adapt to changing circumstances. If anyone could trick the people after Bree, it was them.

  He made his way back to the car. Bree had fastened the babies’ car seats in the back seat and climbed in the front.

  Fear and exhaustion still pulled at her pale skin.

  “I’m sorry I had to be a jerk back in town.”

  She gave a nod. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  He wasn’t exactly sure what she understood. “I thought maybe you would see that I was trying to let you know something was wrong.”

  She shrugged. “I thought you finally wanted what was best for Risk Peak—me gone.”

  “Even after what happened yesterday afternoon?” He started the car.

  “It was a kiss. It happens all the time.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Does it happen all the time to you, Bree?”

  She turned and looked out the window as he turned the SUV in the direction they needed to go. “Does it matter?”

  In the greater scheme of things, with all his questions...no, it didn’t really matter. But he wanted her to admit it meant something.

  “Even if I had wanted you gone, I wouldn’t have done it like that, Bree. Wouldn’t have just told you to hit the road.”

  “Sometimes to do the smart thing you have to make a hard decision. I didn’t blame you for that. You have a town you’re responsible for. I’m not what’s important.”

  “How can you say that? Everybody in Risk Peak loves you.”

  She shrugged. “They love Christian and Beth. I’m just part of that package. If I was here by myself, no one would care as much. I wouldn’t be a big deal.”

  “That’s not true.”

  And she was a big deal to him. But he wasn’t sure if saying so would make things better or worse.

  Like some of the horses he helped Noah raise, Bree needed time and gentling. He would try to give as much as he could of both.

  She didn’t say anything as time ticked by, just continued to stare out the window.

  “Where are we going?” she finally asked.

  “My house.”

  “In Risk Peak? Is that a good idea?”

  He took a turn that led them in the opposite direction of the way they’d ultimately be going. Probably an unnecessary step, but one he was willing to take to ensure Bree’s safety.

  “I have a small apartment in Risk Peak, since it’s more convenient for the hours I sometimes have to keep with the job. But that’s not my actual house. I own a horse ranch with my brother, Noah, about twenty miles outside town.”

  “Horses?” She sounded like she couldn’t quite understand it.

  “Yes. Noah’s house is on one end of our acreage, and he does most of the daily ranch work. But that ranch is home for me. Has been for nearly ten years.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t tell you. I was just going to surprise you by taking you there one day. Guess that’s today. Surprise.”

  “Do you think anyone will try to look for us t
here? Maybe Cheryl and Dan?”

  He grimaced. “After what I just said at the Sunrise, I don’t think anyone will be searching my property for you.”

  Her eyes closed. “Yeah.” She paused for a few moments. “Are you sure, Tanner? Are you sure you want us there? It’s one thing not to run us out of town and help us. But to bring us into your home? Are you sure that’s what you want?”

  All her words came out in a rush, as if she was afraid she was pointing out something he hadn’t considered.

  No other woman had ever lived with him there. Definitely no babies. He wouldn’t have made this offer to just anyone. The ranch was important to him. Sacred, even. Not something he shared lightly.

  He was surprised at how much he wanted Bree there.

  He glanced at her for a second before turning his eyes back to the road. “I want you there. It’s the safest place for you. I’ll be there to make sure everything is secure, and when I’m not, I know Noah will have an eye on you and the kids. Family are the only ones I can completely trust in a situation like this.”

  A situation like what? Where a woman he barely knew, but who blew his focus straight to hell every time she was around, was coming to live with him? One where he wasn’t certain of the exact danger, but suspected it was way more complicated than the mob? One where protocol said he should be taking her into protective custody right now, not taking her to his own damn house?

  But thankfully she didn’t ask what he meant by situation. She was stuck on another word.

  “Family,” she muttered, as if the concept was foreign to her.

  “They’re the only ones you can ultimately trust, right?”

  She began rubbing at a spot on her shoulder. “I guess.”

  “You’ll like Noah. He’s quiet, keeps to himself. Since he got out of the Special Forces, he hasn’t really wanted to be around people much.”

  She leaned the side of her face against the headrest and stared at eyes shadowed with exhaustion. “Sounds like a male version of me, minus the military background.”

  He smiled gently at her. “There’s some similarities. Noah would definitely rather be around horses than people. Do you like horses?”

  “I’ve never been around a horse before.”

  That didn’t surprise him at all.

  “But I’ve always wanted to be around animals or have a pet,” she continued, her voice getting softer, eyes drooping. “But we never could.”

  “Who never could, Freckles?” He felt a little bad for fishing for info while her defenses were down and she was so exhausted. But there was one thing he was sure of: he had to solve the puzzle of Bree Daniels in order to be able to protect her.

  “Me and Mom. We couldn’t have pets because they would hamper us every time we had to leave suddenly.”

  “And how often was that?”

  Bree let out a yawn. “Three or four times.”

  That wasn’t as bad as he thought. “It must have been hard moving around three or four times in your life. Maybe a pet would’ve helped with your transition.”

  “No.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have helped?”

  Another yawn. “No, we moved three or four times a year. I never knew when. That’s why I could never have a pet or friends. It was better that way for when we had to leave.”

  He gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Why would you need to leave so suddenly that many times?”

  “If they found us, or sometimes if Mom even thought they might be close, we had to leave.”

  “If who found you?”

  “Them. The Organization.”

  He glanced at her again, and her eyes were still closed. “Who is the Organization, sweetie?”

  “They’re the people who are going to kill us all.”

  He waited for her to say more, gritting his teeth when she didn’t. He was about to probe her for more info when he realized she was asleep.

  “Aw, hell, sweetheart.”

  He let her sleep. She needed rest.

  A little over forty-five minutes later, sure no one was following them, Tanner pulled off onto the long driveway leading up to his house on the ranch.

  He carried the twins inside. They would need a bottle soon, but hopefully he could at least move Bree inside first. Leaving the babies in his office with the door closed in case they started crying, he went back out to get Bree. The fact that she had fallen asleep at all was surprising.

  The fact that she kept sleeping as he slipped his arms around her and picked her up was a testament to her exhaustion.

  He’d just gotten in the door when she stirred.

  “Tanner?”

  “Shh,” he said, easing the door closed behind him with his foot.

  “The kids...” she murmured before a huge yawn overtook her.

  “How about just for today you let someone take care of you. I can handle Christian and Beth.”

  He halfway expected an argument. But instead she snuggled into him.

  Tanner pulled her closer, willing to accept her trust as what it was: a treasure.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Bree sat straight up in the bed, looking around. Something was wrong.

  It was way too quiet, and the sun was high in the sky—probably midafternoon. When was the last time she’d woken up based on her body telling her it was time rather than because one of the twins needed something?

  It took her a moment to get her bearings. She was in a giant king-size bed.

  Tanner’s bed.

  She had no idea how to process that, so she threw off the blanket and jumped down. She was still fully dressed, except for her shoes, which sat neatly by the door. She rushed into the living room but heard no sound of either child crying.

  Beth could possibly go this long without fussing. But Christian?

  The house wasn’t that big. She dashed into a room that seemed to be an office/library but found no signs of life. A blanket was dropped haphazardly on the sofa in the living room, but it was empty, as well were the back porch and large eat-in kitchen.

  Panic truly struck at Bree. Where were the babies? How could she have just slept like this?

  She’d worked herself into such a state that she almost missed them as she walked by the window and came to an abrupt halt, unable to believe her eyes.

  Actually, she could. And that was the problem.

  Tanner stood outside in the sunshine, a baby in each arm. He was bouncing them both gently, talking to them in words Bree couldn’t hear and showing them the horses in the corralled area in front of them.

  Beth and Christian were too young to process anything they were seeing, which Tanner had to have known, but they were looking out at the animals like they were listening intently to whatever it was Tanner was telling them.

  Bree’s heart gave a little flutter.

  Then she realized Tanner was wearing a cowboy hat. One obviously well-worn and loved.

  Then her heart gave a big flutter.

  She had to remind herself that Michael Jeter and the Organization would scour the earth to find her if he knew she was alive. No ranch would save her, no matter how remote or what type of Special Forces soldier Tanner’s brother had been.

  She could not think of this place—think of this man—as permanent. Bree would only be here for a few days.

  As soon as she opened the door, Tanner turned toward her and gave her a smile that stole her breath.

  A few days. A few days.

  “Morning.” His voice was husky, soft. “Well, afternoon, actually.”

  “Hi,” she replied, taking Christian from him.

  He half turned back toward the horses. “We were talking about all the animals’ names and how long they’ve lived here.”

  “Thank you for letting me sleep. Have they been fed?”

  “Y
ep, and are dry and happy. We were outside enjoying the sunshine and meeting the animals.”

  Bree held her face up to the sun. When was the last time she’d just enjoyed being outside without worrying about being spotted by someone or accidentally captured on their cell phone?

  Never, except for the rarest of occasions.

  They walked around, Tanner pointing out different horses. A few minutes later, a large Labrador retriever came out of the tree line and began sniffing Bree.

  “That’s Corfu.”

  Bree reached down and rubbed the dog’s head affectionately. “Corfu?”

  “Yeah, it’s a Greek isle. One of the places my brother visited when he was stationed overseas. I’ve always wanted to go.”

  She smiled. “Okay, I guess Corfu works for a pretty dog like him.”

  “Actually her. And she’s pregnant. It won’t be long until we have a slew of puppies around here.” Tanner crouched down so the dog could lick his face, carefully keeping Beth to the side so the dog didn’t frighten her.

  Bree stared at the dog, wide-eyed. “Puppies,” she murmured. “How many?”

  “Usually between three and five. We’ll give most of them away to people in town. Definitely keep one around here.”

  Bree just nodded. No sense thinking about cute little puppies that weren’t hers. Or the babies that weren’t hers. Or the home that wasn’t hers.

  Or the man that wasn’t hers.

  “If Corfu is around, that means Noah will be showing up any second also.”

  Sure enough, a few moments later a man came riding out of the trees from the opposite direction than she’d been expecting him.

  Tanner rolled his eyes. “Surveilling?” he asked his brother.

  Noah shrugged and slipped from the saddle. “Can’t be too careful.” He turned toward her but didn’t move closer. “Ma’am.”

  It was plain these two were definitely brothers. Both tall, broad shouldered. Same dark coloring and good looks. But where Tanner was approachable and trustworthy, Noah was closed off, wary, defensive.