by Shauna Allen
“Damn it.” I faced my dad. “They’ve already gone dark. I can’t get in touch with them until they’re done with the op.”
He nodded, his face pale. “Alright. Well, let’s see here . . .” He faced the bank of screens again. “I know you can’t tell me everything, but what can you tell me?”
This wasn’t a classified op, but it was definitely covert. Still, if the ranch and our family—both teams’ families—were at risk, I could use my dad’s help. With a sigh, I broke it down for him in the simplest terms possible. Due to a past mission, we had a drug cartel hot on our asses and we’d been tracking them all over the United States, but so far, they’d evaded us, thanks in part to their hacker, El Lobo Blanco, keeping them about three steps ahead.
“That how you got shot, son?”
I nodded. I never gave details of missions before, and thankfully, as a past military man, he’d never asked, but this brought a glint of bloodlust to his eyes. I was his son and now the same men who’d shot me were potentially on his front door steps. He was pissed.
“So, what do we do?” he asked.
I surveyed the screens in front of me, my mind ticking through the hundreds of things that needed to be done. But I was only one Marine without his team. Fuck.
First things first.
I had to establish there was a threat and I had to keep everyone safe in the meantime.
I turned to Dad. “I need to review the footage. See if I can find out if there was a breach, when it happened, and get word to the team if I can.”
“How can I help?”
I only hesitated a moment. There was no time for fucking around. If the cartel was out there, we had to be ready. “Collect all the weapons and ammo you have and bring them to me, then go check on the women and kids. Get everyone up and here to the main house as soon as possible.”
“Sure thing.”
I stopped him before he got all the way out the door. “Dad?”
He spun back. “Yeah?”
“Don’t scare them with too many details. Not yet.”
He nodded once. “Roger that.”
~ ~
The footage didn’t show much but a blurry image of Barkley streaking by just after 0300, possibly chasing after the vans leaving the property, though he’d never been known to chase cars before. Then, at 0417, another dark figure moved by the camera just before it malfunctioned and went black. I rewound the footage and looked closer, but I couldn’t make anything out. It looked like a man, but I couldn’t be sure. It was too tall and thin to be Pete and all the ranch hands were off for the holiday.
The other cameras were clear.
Someone cleared their throat, making me glance up. “Oh, hey, Pete.”
The old foreman who I’d known since I was practically in diapers studied me closely. “Your daddy told me about all the fuss going on around here and I aim to help.”
I sat back with a frown. “I appreciate that, Pete, but—”
“No buts, young man. I may be old, but I can still shoot a rifle, and last I checked, this is still my home. I’ll be damned if some lowdown scum will come gallivanting in here, stirring up a ruckus. Not under my watch, no sir.”
The chair creaked under my weight as I shifted to face him more fully. Below us, the women and children had arrived with my dad and Mom was feeding everyone breakfast. So far, it sounded like Dad had done a good job of not sounding the alarm. “What do you propose, Pete?”
“Did you see anything on the cameras?”
“Maybe something out by the back pasture, but I can’t be sure. I’ll need to go out this morning and check the camera then reset it before tonight if I can.”
“That out by the old wood shed?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“You figure they might be aiming to sneak in the back?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said. “How’s about you eat breakfast with your pretty lady and I take a ride down yonder and check it out myself?”
“If you want to, Pete, that’d be great. Let me know what you need.”
He nodded and headed out.
Downstairs, I was met with estrogen overload. Women and kids were everywhere. Scarlett sidled up and kissed me on the cheek. “Everything okay?”
“Yup,” I lied, sidestepping her and grabbing a piece of toast, diverting for the moment.
Sadly, that moment didn’t last long. Before I could finish my breakfast, my cell phone rang.
“Yeah?”
Pete wasted no time in laying down the news. “It’s bad, boy. Someone’s cut through the barbed wire fencing, but left it in place so it looks intact and they can just push it through and come on in or out. I see footprints, but I can’t tell if they’re coming or going right now.”
My heart began to beat double-time. “And the camera?”
“They destroyed it. Smashed it all to pieces.”
I lifted my eyes and met my father’s gaze as he seemed to read my thoughts.
“Looks like whoever this is, they were aiming to get onto the ranch without being seen,” Pete continued. “That can’t be good, boy.”
No, it wasn’t good. It was deadly.
Fourteen
Scarlett
Something in Johnny had changed since yesterday. I knew there was something major going on with him and his team, and he’d promised to tell me, but I never could’ve imagined the truth would be so bone-chilling.
He’d hung up the phone after breakfast and asked his mom to take the kids upstairs while he and his dad spoke to all of the women alone. The tone of his voice let us know it was serious, so nobody questioned it, but as we sat around the living room, listening to tales of Mexican drug cartels and computer hackers and smashed up security cameras, I thought I might be sick. How did he deal with this kind of thing every day?
“Were you able to get ahold of Tex or any of the guys?” Melody asked.
He shook his head. “They’ve gone dark for their part of the op.”
“So, we’re on our own.” This from Mozart’s wife, Summer.
“Well, you have me,” Johnny said. “And my dad and Pete.”
“And each other, don’t forget that,” Red’s fiancée, Danielle, piped up. “I’ve dealt with these cartel assholes before when they kidnapped me and my sister. They’re tough, but nothing we can’t handle if we’re smart.”
“Agreed,” Fiona added, glancing around at her friends. “Most of us have been through worse. We can take care of our own and make our men proud.”
“Oorah,” Rebekah chimed in with a small smirk, earning herself an eye roll from Johnny and thankfully lightening the mood just a tad.
“Okay, then,” Caroline said. “Let’s get down to business. Any idea how much time we have or what kind of threat we might be looking at?”
Johnny shook his head. “Unfortunately, no and no. Not yet. But I wanted to get you all in the loop ASAP, so we could make a game plan.”
“Right,” Cheyenne spoke up as she crossed her legs beneath her. “Well, the first priority has got to be the children. We need to find a safe place for them and we need to make sure they’re not afraid.”
“Absolutely,” Jessyka agreed. “I’m happy to go with the kids.”
“Me, too,” Melody said.
Johnny nodded. “Perfect. You two and my mom can take the kids and whatever you’ll need to keep them comfortable and occupied. We’ll make a safe space for you up on the top floor of the house in a closed off space where there are no windows and limited entry points.”
I watched in awe as he worked out the rest of a strategic protection plan, using all of his available resources, which, in this case, happened to be a bunch of women, his father, a foreman, and several guns. At least until his team was back in contact. Even now, there was no reason to call in the police because, really, what was there to report? A cut fence? A broken camera? He’d already explained that the team’s mission was secret. Summer was right
. We were on our own. At least for now.
Pete took a position in the back pasture, hidden in the wood shed with his trusty rifle, where he could monitor the hole in the fence and call in any movement.
The kids were taken upstairs with the three women and enough toys, movies, and snacks to last a year.
Most of the other women were put to work securing the house, then they were assigned spots to monitor so no part of the home was left vulnerable, while Caroline and I made sure everyone was fed and relieved anyone who needed a break.
That left Johnny’s father to patrol the entire place, making sure everything was in order and everyone was safe, and Johnny, who was in command of the whole operation.
The entire situation was surreal. It might as well have been a movie. By nightfall, the kids were getting restless, we were getting bored, and it was beginning to feel like overkill.
Maybe it was all for nothing. Maybe it was just vandals looking to steal some cattle or kids looking to cause trouble.
Still, in all of my doubts, Johnny never wavered. He remained ever vigilant, ever watchful, ever the Marine. I’d never been prouder.
He made us take turns napping so nobody in the house was asleep at the same time. When it was my turn, he broke from his pacing to walk me upstairs to check on the boys then down the hall to the bedroom.
He closed the door and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “You doing okay with all of this, baby?”
“No.”
He dropped his head to mine. “It’ll be over soon.”
I tucked into his chest, suddenly exhausted. “I thought your team was going to be back by now.”
“I did, too. I’m not sure what’s keeping them.” I heard the undercurrent of worry in his voice. I’d seen it all day in the women’s faces as they worried about their husbands who should’ve been back by now.
“I’m sure they’ll be back soon,” I murmured in an empty platitude.
He kissed my head. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you up in a couple hours.”
“Okay.”
He brushed his nose alongside mine in a show of affection then left me alone with my tumbling thoughts and, I realized with a jolt, a bolt action rifle.
~ ~
I awoke with a start, the fear and hopelessness of my dream still thick and heavy on my brain as I fought to ground myself in reality. My heart continued to thunder behind my ribs as the scream I’d heard in my nightmare echoed in my ears.
Then I heard it again and shot up to my feet.
It was no dream.
My first thoughts were of the boys as I scrambled for the door, my gaze landing on the rifle still in the corner. I yanked it up and ran from the room and down the hall. Below me, glass crashed and wood splintered. More screaming, someone cursed, shots began to ring out.
“Scarlett!”
I spun toward Johnny’s voice.
He was halfway up the stairs, his eyes frantic as he raked me up and down as if searching for injury.
“I’m fine,” I said. “What’s happening?”
“They rushed Pete and I think they’ve killed him, and now they’ve surrounded the house.” He reloaded the pistol in his hand. “You know what to do?”
“Yes.” I was shaking, but I didn’t stop to think or mourn Pete. Not now. My post was the bedroom next to the one where the kids were. I ran that way then dropped to a crawl until I reached the window. I inched up to peer between the planks of wood we’d used to board it up, but I couldn’t see anything. Below me, shots rang out intermittently, something thumped, someone groaned. Next to me, I heard the faint whimper of a child and one of the women comforting them. I wondered if it was Daniel or Nathan. It made my heart ache that this was scaring them.
Suddenly, my door creaked open and Nathan’s little face peered through. “Mommy?”
“I’m sorry!” Mrs. Ray popped in after him. “He snuck out before I could catch him.”
“That’s okay.” I waved him in with an open arm, hiding the rifle behind my back. “I’ll bring him back in a minute.”
She nodded then shut herself back in the room.
“What are you doing?” I whispered. “You know Mr. Johnny said you had to stay put and stay quiet and listen to what Mrs. Ray said.”
He snuggled into my chest. “I know, but I needed to go potty, and I was thirsty, and I didn’t want to stay in that room no more.”
“I’m sorry, baby, but you have to. For a little bit longer, okay?”
“Okay.” He didn’t sound very happy about it.
I offered him a drink from my water bottle then herded him to the door. I peeked into the hallway. It had gone eerily quiet down below. The bathroom was just across the hall. I debated a moment then leaned down to whisper. “Can you go pee really fast?”
He nodded eagerly.
“Go. Then right back, you hear me?”
He nodded again then dashed over to the bathroom while I kept watch.
Not two seconds later, a loud bang reverberated through the downstairs area, followed by a blinding light. The hallway began to fill with smoke, making me gag and choke. I fell backwards into the bedroom, my eyes burning and tearing uncontrollably.
Moments later, the front door burst wide open as if it exploded off its hinges, and shots began again.
I scrambled to my knees, still blinded by tears. “Nathan!” I screamed.
Nothing.
I called for him over and over, but I couldn’t even hear my own voice over the gunshots and screaming that now filled the house. I army crawled my way along the floor, feeling the walls toward the bathroom, searching for him, praying he’d find me first or that I’d hear his tiny voice in the melee. “Nathan! Baby! Answer me!”
“Scarlett?” Mrs. Ray found me at the door and scooped me into her arms to drag me into the bedroom. “Where’s Nathan?”
“I don’t know!” I screamed. “There was a bang and gunshots and I can’t find him!” I screeched. “Find him! Find him!” I was hysterical at this point, out of my mind with fear. I lost him, and it was all my fault.
I slumped to the floor in a pool of tears and pain.
The door creaked open and footsteps padded as someone must’ve gone to search for him. Someone else poured water into my eyes.
More footsteps.
The gunshots and chaos had died down as quickly as it had started, but inside, I was screaming. Raging. Frozen in panic.
“Scarlett? Baby?” Johnny was beside me, cradling my head in his hands. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“Did you find him?” I pleaded.
“Find who?”
“Nathan.” I sat up, my vision still blurry, but I was able to make out the sudden fear in his eyes.
“Nathan?” His gaze shot around the room of children. “Where’s Nathan?”
“I don’t know! He was with me, then there was a bang and shots, and I couldn’t see and he was gone!” I began to sob all over again, collapsing into his arms. “Please find him. Please let him be okay.”
He lifted my face and pressed a fierce kiss to my lips that was full of every promise a man could make to a woman. “I will find him. I swear my life on it.”
Then he was gone.
Fifteen
Johnny
We’d been ambushed by a half dozen low-level cartel soldiers. At least that was what I’d counted so far. The shooting had stopped for now, but we’d seen a few more scattered around outside on the security cameras. They probably figured I was wounded and alone on the ranch with just my folks, and we were easy pickings for some kind of rite of passage to prove themselves to Esteban or some shit. Assholes didn’t count on being overrun by a bunch of badass women who belonged to military men and knew how to handle themselves.
But now one of our own was missing.
A child.
My child, my heart screamed.
It didn’t matter that Nathan wasn’t my son by blood or biology. He was mine in every way that mattered, and I was going to find h
im come hell or high water.
I ducked down the hall and rechecked the room where Scarlett had been first. Nothing.
The bathroom. The hall closets. The attic, every other bedroom, every nook and cranny I could remember hiding in as a kid. Nathan was smart. He probably went for cover when the shooting started. But where?
I raked a hand over my head and glanced around the stairwell as Scarlett’s quiet cries in the other room broke my heart.
By now, the other women were searching quietly, all of us still watchful for another sneak attack.
“Anything?” my dad asked as I moved to sweep the downstairs.
“Not yet.” I crouched down and peered behind the couch. “Nathan? Come on out now, buddy.”
“Where could he have gone?” Alabama asked, rounding the coffee table, shotgun still in hand.
“I don’t—” I froze, my heart in my throat as a sudden, terrifying thought occurred to me. I bolted for the kitchen toward the back door.
Nathan would’ve been scared for himself, sure, but I knew that kid. He would’ve cared more about his horse. Please, I silently prayed, no . . .
But the cracked door proved me right and a chill whipped up my spine.
I didn’t waste another second or another thought. Weapons loaded, knife strapped in my boot, I slid out into the silent night.
With my back pressed against the house, I inched my way through the darkness, one excruciatingly slow step at a time, careful not to make a sound. When I broke away into open field, I crouched down and melted onto the ground and crawled toward the barn, my ears attuned for any movement.
I finally got close enough to make out the black outline of the building.
Nugget whinnied in the distance as if stressed.
Another horse stomped the ground.
The faint scent of cigarette smoke filtered through the cold air, followed by the hum of a low, grumbling voice that barked out a command in Spanish. “Mantener al chico tranquilo.”
Keep the boy quiet.
Protectiveness surged through me like a tidal wave and it took everything I had to keep from bolting for them and taking them down like a raging bull. But I had no idea what I was up against and I couldn’t risk Nathan’s life.