“You wouldn’t dare.”
“To show you my sincerity, I have made your first charitable contribution of ten thousand dollars. Please check your account.”
An unnatural silence flooded the opposite end of the phone, followed by furious clicking.
“Bastard. I’m calling my bank to report this.”
“I don’t suppose President Bennett and some of the other more straight-shooting club members know anything about your hidden auction site, do they?”
“What do you want?”
“Drop off the female wolf at the two-track located a half mile north of the training center construction site. You have one hour.”
“That’s not enough time. I’ll need double that amount.”
“Are you sure? Because your generosity to the Alliance doesn’t stop until I see for myself that the wolf is unharmed.”
“You and whoever you’re working with will pay for this.”
“Not as much as you. The Alliance thanks you for your contribution, by the way.”
“An hour and a half,” Norwood growled.
“Come alone, Norwood, or your contributions will double.” Britt clicked off his phone.
“Daaamn,” Reid said, “Maybe you and Jonah should have joined my unit.”
“You know Norwood’s bringing backup, right?” Grif asked.
“Without a doubt.”
They both looked to Reid.
A grin broke out on his face. He clapped his hands, rubbing them together. “Finally, some action.”
Britt glanced from brother to brother and prayed he’d be able to keep them safe. He’d never faced off with a threat like Norwood. The guy was a seasoned killer. Almost six hundred kills. Could someone like that shift their lust for conquering animals to humans?
Something told Britt he was about to find out.
28
“Fucking redneck!” Richard Norwood sent his twenty-four-inch monitor crashing to the floor. “He won’t get away with stealing from me.”
“What’s got you in a lather?” Samuel Taylor drawled.
“The Steeles.” Richard paced his spacious office within the east wing of the club’s lodge. “For every quarter hour we hold the bitch, they’re going to donate ten thousand dollars of my money to charity.”
Angus Ferguson whistled. “Bold devils.”
“Can your IT expert block their attack against your bank account?” Neil Watters asked.
“Yes—in time. But they’re sending the money to a damned nonprofit. The longer this goes on, the trickier the explanation.”
Hands clasped behind his back, Jun Ito asked, “Should I put a halt on the auction?”
“That’ll raise too many questions among the membership,” Samuel said. “I’ve already heard murmurings about the legitimacy of our hunting permit.”
“I would suggest a server error,” Neil Watters said. “Puts the blame elsewhere and it’ll explain the lack of video.”
“So we’re handing over the wolf and tucking tail?” Angus asked, incredulous.
“No. Each of them will forfeit something important. Something they will mourn.”
“Do you think all four Steele boys are involved?” Samuel asked.
“Two for sure. The animal lover and the computer genius.”
“The Green Beret, too,” Jun said. “He would not miss an opportunity to prove his prowess.”
“They’re nothing but a pack of wild animals. You can bet Griffin’s involved as well.”
“Five against four,” Samuel said. “Good odds.”
Richard scrolled through his phone’s contact list. “First, we take down the club’s server.” He set his phone to his ear. “The Steeles will either see it as a signal of good faith or it will send them into a state of wariness.”
“Either reaction works in our favor,” Jun said.
Richard spoke into the phone. “Shut the server down. Yes, down. All the way.” He covered the receiver with his hand and caught Angus, Jun, and Samuel’s gazes. “Find their weaknesses, make them pay.”
29
Randi drew her ponytail through the opening at the back of her purple Moosin’ Around ball cap.
After Britt left, she’d skulked around her bungalow in a state of numbness. Rather than stay and talk things through, he’d bailed. He’d run off to save the wolf, leaving her behind. The irony was beyond measure, and she only had herself to blame.
She should have listened to the Nagging Nellie voice warning her not to get involved with a damn tree hugger. She’d known it would end in heartbreak. She’d freaking known it!
Grabbing the empty cookie sleeve, she tossed it into the trash. Some people drowned their disappointments in alcohol. Not her. She pigged out on Thin Mint cookies. Every winter, like clockwork, she’d buy a dozen boxes. She ate one box right away, and the rest she pulled out of the freezer when the mood struck.
While snarfing down an entire sleeve, she’d come to two important conclusions. One, men were jerks. Two, she wouldn’t sit here and take this being-left-behind crap like she’d been forced to do all those years ago with her mother.
No, she would run Britt to ground, confess her feelings, and make him promise never to leave her again. And there would be some lovemaking involved, too.
But first, she had another mission to accomplish.
She snatched several water bottles out of the refrigerator and nabbed a handful of power bars. The doorbell chimed, and Randi froze. She stared at the solid oak door as if she could see through to the other side.
Drawing in a fortifying breath, she eased the door open and found three stunning women on her porch, each rolling in a kaleidoscope of excitement, wariness, and determination.
“I obviously got your text,” Carlie Beth said, “and rounded up the troops, as requested.”
“Thanks for coming on such short notice, ladies.” Randi backed up a step and the trio filed in, giving her a hug as they passed by. “Can I offer you something to drink?”
“Beer,” Carlie Beth said.
“Water would be great,” Evie said.
“Nothing, thanks,” Brynne said.
Randi waved toward the small breakfast table. “Have a seat.”
“Don’t leave us hanging,” Brynne said. “What’s up?”
Randi set their drinks down in front of them, but didn’t join them at the table. “How much do y’all know about the wolf auction?”
“Carlie Beth and I were present while the guys were plotting how to recover Calypso,” Brynne said. “We filled in Evie on the way over.”
“Jonah’s hacking into the club’s server in order to retrieve the coordinates of the video feed,” Carlie Beth said. “He’ll do it, though he might be too late.”
“Or he might run into a glitch,” Brynne said.
“They’re sinking all of their efforts into a technological solution.” Evie’s sweet features melted into a thoughtful expression. “Technology isn’t foolproof and it can be far more destructive than intended.”
“We tried to get the guys to consider developing a Plan B,” Carlie Beth said.
“But they were having none of it,” Brynne said.
Randi paced the area between the breakfast table and island. “I have an alternate plan.”
Her guests perked up.
“It’s dangerous.”
“Can’t be worse than a stalker,” Carlie Beth said.
“Or a pissed drug trafficker,” Brynne said.
They all looked to Evie.
“What? I haven’t had anyone try to kill me yet. Though Teddy Bendicott tried to slip me the tongue in seventh grade.”
Randi took a deep breath, hoping they wouldn’t think she was crazy. “We follow the club members.”
Her friends shared a look.
“‘Follow’ as in spy on them?” Brynne asked.
“Just like 007.”
“Why, exactly?” Carlie Beth asked.
“To see if they’ll lead us to Calypso’s location
.” Randi picked up a pen off the island and began flicking it back and forth. “I can’t stand the thought of Britt’s wolf penned up and under Norwood’s thumb. Who knows if the asshole’s giving Calypso water or food. And her poor pups.” She threw the pen down. “I can’t imagine what this must be doing to Britt.”
“I’m in,” Evie said.
“Me, too,” Carlie Beth said.
Brynne hesitated. “What happens if these club members catch us trailing them?”
“We’ll put on the dumb blonde act,” Evie said.
“You mean dumb brunette,” Brynne said.
“Huh?”
“Ninety percent of blondes are brunettes in disguise.”
Evie smiled. “Touché.”
“From what Britt told me,” Randi said, “Norwood and the others are intelligent, cunning men. I’m not sure they’ll fall for the innocent act.”
“Brynne’s good at persuading bullheaded men,” Carlie Beth said.
“Yeah, if she can win over Reid,” Evie said, “Norwood and those guys won’t stand a chance.”
“Wouldn’t it be best if you got the authorities involved?” Brynne asked.
“I have my cousin, Maggie, on speed dial,” Evie said. “If things get hairy, she’ll be at our side in a snap.”
“You follow them, find Calypso, then what?” Brynne asked.
“We call Britt.”
Brynne still hesitated. No doubt thinking about the last time she and Evie went sleuthing and she wound up confronting a drug trafficker on her own.
“If you’re not comfortable with this plan,” Randi said to Brynne, “you don’t have to come.”
“I could probably ask my mom,” Evie put in, “just to make sure we each have a partner. Safety in numbers, you know. Mom likes to kick it up, from time to time.”
Brynne’s eyes widened. “No need to bother Mrs. Steele. Count me in.”
Evie smiled, and smugness danced along the edges.
“I played right into that one, didn’t I?”
“She survived four older brothers,” Carlie Beth said. “One boutique owner doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Are we sharing our plan with the guys ahead of time?” Brynne asked.
“You’re kidding, right?” Evie asked. “They’ll go ballistic.”
Doubt shoved aside Randi’s joy at her friends’ support. “Ballistic?”
“Don’t let a little Steele anger scare you off,” Carlie Beth said.
“We didn’t part on a good note earlier, and now I worry this will make things worse.”
“If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll bring Jonah in on our scheme,” Evie said.
“Let’s work out the details first.”
“In the short time I’ve been accepted into the Steele clan,” Brynne said, “I’ve learned one important lesson.” She held Randi’s gaze. “If you want to maintain a certain level of control and independence while dating a Steele, you need to establish boundaries from the get-go.” Her features softened. “Britt and his brothers might not like our plan. They might yell a bit. But those boys will still love us. So, if we believe in our plan, then we execute it and hope for minimal yelling.”
“I’m not sure Britt feels for me the same way Reid feels for you. Especially after this morning.”
Evie snorted. “He’s been moping around my mom’s house since he arrived.” Her expression turned serious. “Of all my brothers, I’m closest to Britt.” She slanted a glance at the other two ladies. “Don’t tell Grif or Reid.” She turned her attention back to Randi. “I know Britt’s moods. I know his dreams, and I know he has never cared for a woman the same way he cares for you.”
Hope clutched Randi’s chest. “I d-didn’t say the words. I was…afraid.” Speaking became difficult, air wouldn’t come fast enough. “He left angry.” She clasped a hand over her eyes, embarrassed. “He left. He left me.”
Carlie Beth stood, wrapping an arm around her. Evie cursed her brother.
Randi blinked away traces of moisture from her eyes. Dammit, she would not cry. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d indulged in a good, hard cry. Maybe not since realizing she’d lost her mom in all the ways but on paper, over a decade ago.
To cry now, in front of people who loved Britt, was beyond mortifying. She forced herself to smile.
Brynne rubbed her back. “It’s the Steele men. They bring out the best—and worst—in us.”
Evie joined the three of them at the island. “It might be hard to believe this now, but Britt isn’t a runner.” She sent Randi a pained younger-sister look. “He’s steadfast and present—for everything. To a sister, it’s annoying. But I’m sure you’d find it reassuring or hot. He’s probably just as confused about his feelings as you are about yours and needed some alone time to sort things out.”
Could she be right?
Randi found it hard to believe anyone’s mind could be as screwed up as hers. She and Britt had both been under a lot of stress lately, thanks to her mother. She filled her lungs with familiar determination, and focused.
“Okay, ladies. Here’s what we’re going to do…”
30
The second Norwood and Ito entered the woods, Randi and Carlie Beth scrambled to follow. After Randi’s phone’s GPS revealed the winding, gravel drive they’d been traveling down led to a dead end, they’d decided to ditch her Jeep along the roadside and hoof it the rest of the way.
They paused at the edge of the tree line, allowing their eyes to adjust to the shadows. Deep in the woods, Randi could see a set of stationary lights.
“Is that a house back there?” Randi whispered.
“Not sure.” Carlie Beth pointed to her left. “There’s a footpath.”
“Let’s go.”
“Wait.”
“Don’t lose your nerve now.”
“I don’t like this.”
“The forest isn’t my preferred environment either, but this could be the place they’re hiding Calypso.”
“I’m not worried about traipsing into the woods. My instincts are clanging together like two empty beer bottles.”
“Beer bottles?”
“You know what I mean. Any time I don’t follow my instincts I generally wind up in trouble.”
“They’re getting out of visual range. Make up your mind.”
“Okay, but I’m updating Evie and Brynne.” Carlie Beth tapped out a short message and nodded.
Randi bent low and ran toward the biggest tree she could find. She caught a glimpse of a camouflaged back. They leapfrogged from one tree to another before coming to rest behind an enormous thick-leaved rhododendron where the woods met the cabin’s tattered front yard.
“Doesn’t look like much of a rich man’s retreat.”
Randi took in the faded green shutters hanging askew and the weathered and bowed wraparound porch. “I get the feeling they don’t spend a lot of time here.”
“You take one side and I’ll take the other?”
Randi agreed with the wisdom behind her friend’s words, though she didn’t like the idea of them splitting up.
“Let’s regroup in five minutes around back.”
“Got it.”
She followed Carlie Beth’s furtive movements until her friend disappeared into a vat of darkness. Randi pushed out of her hiding spot and hurried to the opposite side of the cabin. Two windows came into view. Heavy plaid curtains blacked out the first one and the other glowed like a lighthouse beacon.
She headed toward the light.
With her back against the cabin, she gathered her courage before digging her fingertips into the windowsill and rising on tiptoes to peer inside. The brightness momentarily blinded her, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. Her vision cleared, and she found herself looking into a kitchen. Several plates and some silverware sat in a drying rack and an array of empty liquor and beer bottles lined the sink’s edge.
But no Norwood or Ito.
Easing away, she made her way around the back of the
cabin. Where the front yard looked rundown and unkempt, the backyard appeared immaculate. Nestled in one corner of the flagstone patio sat a jumbo Jacuzzi tub along with several cushioned rocking chairs. The other side sported an outdoor kitchen and stone fireplace. A lush, weed-free lawn spanned out in all directions, with one area terminating at a picturesque red barn.
A hand smoothed down her arm, and Randi caught the shriek in the back of her throat.
“What the hell!” Randi whispered.
Carlie Beth put a finger to her mouth and motioned for her to follow. They skirted the edge of the manicured lawn until they reached the barn.
“What’s inside?” Randi asked.
“I don’t know. I was waiting for you before I went in.”
Carlie Beth eased the door open and got halfway inside before a low, guttural warning growl met her intrusion. Another joined in, and another, creating a chorus of fear. Randi grabbed the back of her friend’s denim shirt, yanked her out of the barn, and slammed the door shut. Claws tore at the door and the dogs howled their anger.
“Damn, that was close.”
When her friend’s knees turned to jelly, Randi wrapped an arm around her waist and forced her to run. “Come on, we’re blown.”
They made it into the woods and began the long trek to her Jeep when Randi caught another sound. She stopped, tilting her head to listen.
“What’s wrong?”
Randi held up a finger, straining to hear.
There.
A mournful howl mixed in with the guard dogs’ low, forceful barks.
Calypso.
“She’s here.”
“Where?”
Randi rotated in place, pinpointing the wolf’s location. “Behind the barn.”
“You’re not thinking of going back?”
“I’ve got to chance it. I need to make sure.” Fear kept her friend immobile. Little wonder. Having someone you care about try to kill you and your daughter could have lasting mental repercussions. “Stay here. If something goes wrong, run for Britt and the others.” She dug her car keys out of her pocket. “Take these.”
Loving Deep: Steele Ridge Series Page 24