Cassie's Cowboy Crave: Witness Protection - Rancher Style (Sweet Montana Bride Series)

by Kimberly Krey

  Cassie could feel his eyes on her, infusing her body with a frigid dose of dread. A wordless threat she knew all too well could be carried out to a brutal degree.

  She gripped the edge of the table, head feeling fuzzy and light. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

  Both Zoe and Ann’s eyes grew wide. And just before Cassie could question what they’d seen, a large hand clamped over her shoulder.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Cassie Lovell?” The voice was deep, strong, and coated with an accent that made it clear he wasn’t the man who’d been eyeing her from behind the newspaper.

  A dark wallet flapped open near her shoulder. A gold badge caught glints of the light dangling above them before the wallet snapped shut.

  “Detective Gonzalez, here. I need you to come with me.”

  Cassie stiffened. “What for?” She moved to peek over at the guy who’d been watching her.

  He was gone.

  The waiter came up behind them with the drinks but their new visitor didn’t budge.

  “Don’t go,” Zoe said. “I’m calling 911 to check this guy out.”

  “Two of your fellow jurors were found dead within the last hour,” the detective said. “We’ve got to move fast.”

  Cassie’s thoughts scattered like shards from a breaking bowl of crystal. Each bit sharp and dangerous. “Which two?” But she was already coming to a stand. She knew the guy who’d been watching her was one of the Lawson brothers. And if he was anything like the one on trial, she needed protection.

  Zoe stood with a phone to her ear, listing a detailed description of the detective while holding one finger out to stay them. Ann stood up to stop her as well.

  “Do you ladies see that officer at the door?” the detective asked.

  Cassie spun around. A tall policeman dressed in blue stood by the register. He nodded at her.

  “And the other officers out that window?”

  Two patrol cars were nudged up to the curb alongside the restaurant.

  “One of those cars is for me and Miss Lovell. The other is for the two of you. We leave now.” With that, the detective opened the badge-carting wallet, pulled out four crisp twenties and set them on the table. “Will this cover it?”

  The waiter stood there with his tray full of drinks. “Uh. Yeah,” he stammered,

  But they were already leaving. Zoe had closed her flip-phone. Even she looked scared. Zoe The Fearless, stunned into silence.

  As Cassie followed the detective into the squad car, she heard Zoe ask the officer for identification. A breath later they were driving down the street. She looked over her shoulder to see what looked like Ann trying to convince Miss Fearless to get into the car.

  “What are you going to do with my friends?” she asked.

  The detective slid a dark pair of shades over his eyes. “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “On how desperate these guys are. We don’t think they’ll resort to those related to the jurors, but because your friends were with you, we thought we’d better escort them away from the dangerous situation.”

  “Where’d that guy go? Was he a Lawson brother?”

  A pucker formed at his brow. “Yes. He’s a relative, anyway. We had an undercover officer at the back entrance but he slid past him. We don’t really have enough to arrest that one yet, to be honest. But with everything going on, we would have come up with something.” He shook his head and glared out the window. “Is that the overdue library book you owe so much money on?”

  His question was so random, Cassie wasn’t sure he was talking to her. “What?”

  Without turning to look at her, he said, “The book in your hand. Is that the one you owe so much money for?”

  Cassie hadn’t realized it, but she was clinging tight to Ann’s romance novel. “Umm. No. This isn’t mine. It’s my friend’s.” She sighed as a question occurred to her. “Where are we going?”

  Her prompt seemed to remind the man of something. He nodded and reached into his thin leather coat, retrieving a folded stack. “We’re putting you in something similar to a witness protection program.”

  “But I’m not a witness.”

  “Right. But we’ve got two more Lawson brothers awaiting trial as we speak. The Lawsons have a tight group of extended family involved. This type of mafia relies on intimidation. If they can wipe out an entire jury – one that had the gall to put their own blood away – they’ll likely make fair trials impossible with all the publicity.” He clicked a pen and handed it to her, along with the stapled sheets.

  “We don’t have the funds or resources to provide twenty-four-seven protection from a U.S. Marshall,” he continued, “but we do have a number of safe homes. Retired Marshalls or trusted acquaintances capable and willing to house those in need.”

  Numbly, Cassie scanned over the print on the page. Skimming over parts to see where it was she’d be going.

  “I Just need you to sign a few lines, showing that you’ll cooperate and not do anything to jeopardize the safety of yourself or those harboring you.”

  “Oh. I wouldn’t.” She skimmed the document further. A red X waited next to a blank line at the bottom of the page. She signed there and flipped it over. Another X stood out among the black text. After scribbling her name once more, Cassie scanned over the final page.

  “This doesn’t say where I’m going.”

  “I’ll tell you once we’re en route.”

  The officer behind the wheel veered onto the interstate.

  “Wait,” she said, a beat of panic thrumming through her. “Aren’t we going to my apartment?”

  “Too risky. The guy had to have followed you from work to the restaurant. No doubt he knows where you live too.” Gonzalez gave the stack of paper a flick. “By signing this, you’ve given my team permission to retrieve your property. Mainly clothing and personal items. Your things will be shipped to our final destination. Probably arrive before we do.”

  “But I have cats. Two of them.”

  “We know. They’ll be fine. Your guardian has agreed to allow pets.”

  “What about my parents? Are they in danger?”

  He gave her a sideways glance. “They have plans to come back to the U.S. anytime soon?”

  “No. I just wondered…” She let the sentence die.

  “Your parents are in Guam. I think they’ll be safe there. From the Lawson brothers, anyway.” He’d muttered the last part.

  Another face came to mind, and Cassie felt guilty she hadn’t thought of him sooner. “And Griffin?” Heck, Gonzalez knew about her overdue library book; he was bound to know about her boyfriend, even if it was a long-distance relationship.

  “Again. Out of the country,” he said. “Should be fine. Mind if I ask you a question, though?”

  Cassie shook her head. “Go ahead.”

  “Why is it that the people closest to you live so far away?” He’d removed his sunglasses, eyes looking deep and perplexed. Cassie tried for just a moment to place his age. He acted young. Moved like he was too. But the small wrinkles around his mouth and eyes gave him away. The guy was probably in his late forties. Maybe a young-looking fifty.

  It took her only a moment to recall his question. “My parents have done volunteer work out of the country for years. In fact, it’s how they met. Even while my mom was pregnant with me she was digging wells and building schools. I was born in Rwanda. Did you know that?”

  The detective nodded, though his eyes told her he was holding something back. A faulty dam ready to snap.

  “What?” she urged, wondering what the near stranger could be thinking.

  He replaced his glasses and turned back to the window. “Nothing. I just don’t understand how anyone makes a long-distance relationship work.”

  Cassie’s heart was a hot, pounding mess, torn in several directions all at once. She wouldn’t say it aloud, but Cassie was considering ending her relationship with Griffin. In her purse, she’d stashed a letter received from h
er boyfriend just the day before. A letter that she hadn’t yet opened.

  Cassie wasn’t sure what it might contain – words of his continued love, or an acknowledgement that the relationship wasn’t much of a relationship at all. Either way, Cassie planned to come to her own decision about things before she opened it.

  While forcing a slow breath through barely parted lips, she told herself things would be okay one way or another. At least the people she cared for would be safe.

  Still, she had no idea where she was going, or how long she’d be. And who was this guardian Gonzalez had referred to? What kind of person allowed some stranger and her cats into their home at a moment’s notice? She couldn’t begin to imagine what the days lying ahead might be like.

  Mindlessly, she thumbed through the pages of the book in her hand. And as she sucked in a deep, calming breath, inhaling the familiar scent, Cassie wondered if her journey would be more bitter than sweet. One thing was certain – her near future was like the book in one way – it was entirely unknown to her and filled with possibilities.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The dark Montana sky gave way to lighter shades as the hour slipped by. Shane should still be in bed right now. Heaven knew he needed the rest. Instead, he was gripping the cool steering wheel in his truck, driving to the airport to pick up a total stranger.

  Damn that nosey brother of his. And Reese – that sneaky little thing had grinned all too wide when she’d heard there was a girl waiting. A girl who needed protection. The stubborn side of him wanted to dislike this woman no matter what she was like. Show them how foolish they’d been. The other part of him, the part that longed for a woman’s closeness, scent, and touch, wanted desperately for her to somehow be the one for him. The way it had worked with Reese, and then with Jade, Gavin’s wife.

  He shook his head in frustration. What kind of impression would he make once she found out he lived so dang close to his parents? He regretted staying at Grandpa Emerson’s place for so long. Why hadn’t he just built on his acre three miles down, like the others had done? The answer came quickly enough: he hadn’t the need. While Blake was busy chasing two mischievous boys, and Gavin helping care for that new baby girl, Shane had stayed back at the old place, found comfort in hanging out with the hired ranch hands, pretending to enjoy the single life. But the fact was, it was getting old.

  He could barely fathom how different his life might be had Natasha said yes to his proposal. But that girl had been city-bound and there was no changing it; best she break free before they married and brought little ones into the picture. Could have been the biggest mistake of his life, marrying her. And it scared him; perhaps he had bad judgment when it came to women. Who knew? He was determined to not make that mistake again.

  Reese had fallen in love with the country. Jade had too. With the ranch, and with the Emerson brother who’d stepped up as guardian. He only wondered how such a thing could happen more than once. Twice was hard enough to believe, but three times? Heck, that was damn near impossible.

  ~+~

  “I hope they were able to get my cats okay,” Cassie said, staring out the small window. A sliver of sunlight peeked over the distant horizon, barely softening the bleak darkness behind them.

  “Cats will be fine,” the detective assured.

  “Can you tell me where we’re going yet?” So far all they had done is fly from one nearby state to the next. Either they were wandering aimlessly or trying really hard to throw off a pursuer.

  “Maybe, but first let me explain all the backtracking,” he said. “Your original guardian, located in New Mexico, was unable to take you due to some health issues. Our backup, an older couple living in Nevada, were recently put in a retirement home and hadn’t notified us.” He glanced at her, a wry smile on his face. “Turns out they’re ten years older than our records indicate.”

  “Oh.” A new knot of nerves tightened in her stomach.

  Gonzalez pulled in a deep, proud breath, puffing out his chest. “We’ve got you covered now. Going to a real nice place.” He left it at that.

  “In which state?” She was starting to wonder if they’d land back in Seattle where she’d find the whole thing was only a cruel prank.

  The detective smiled at her like she was some helpless little kitten. “They announced where we were headed. You didn’t listen?”

  Her defenses kicked in. “Well, you said we still had two more flights to go. So either you lied to me about that or you forgot how to count.” That’s right; this kitten has claws.

  She wasn’t sure she liked the boisterous laugh coming from the man’s mouth. As he continued in his sudden amused state, Cassie shifted in her seat before tapping the passenger directly in front of her. “Excuse me,” she said, voice firm and direct. “Could you tell me where we’re headed?”

  That wiped the grin off Gonzalez’s face.

  The older gentleman nodded before replying. “Certainly, sweetheart. We’re headed to the state of Oro y Plata. That’s Spanish for gold and silver.”

  She tilted her head in confusion. He still hadn’t answered her question, which must be why the detective’s grin was back.

  “So that’s…” Cassie prompted.

  “The Treasure State.” After a long pause he added, “Big Sky Country?” The blank expression on Cassie’s face must have urged him to continue. “Montana, of course, girl. Sweet Montana. Home to the real American cowboy.”

  She tested the word out for herself. “Montana?” Hmm. What did she know about the state? Nothing. And cowboys? Ann would have liked that.

  “So are we going to talk about that overdue book yet?” The detective glanced at her with an unassuming glint of curiosity.

  “How do you even know about that?” she asked.

  “We do our best to tie up loose ends. Turns out you had only one.” He brought up a hand and began counting it out with his fingers. “You pay your bills on time. You’re not delinquent on any charges. No warrants out for your arrest.” He paused to give her a wry smile. “Yet I discover you have this book that your local library’s been hounding you about for a solid year.” He scratched at the back of his head. “I can’t decide if you have it, and just don’t want to give it back. And if that’s the case, why not just pay for the thing? But if you lost it, you should just pay for it and move on because clearly you owe more in late fees than the thing’s worth.” He paused there, looking her up and down. “Nothing about this overdue book matches the rest of you.”

  Cassie smiled, enjoying how much thought he’d put into the mystery of her bland, uneventful (until now) life. But the reality of why she’d kept the book pulled the grin off her face. “It’s a stupid reason,” she said. “I’m not really dying to talk about it.”

  “Come on, this is like training for me. Getting into people’s heads. Why they do what they do. It’s fascinating.”

  She shook her head. “There’s nothing fascinating about it. Just uh…” Pathetic. Cassie turned to look out the window while she spoke. The sky was a sheet of empty, cloudless grey. A perfect reflection of how she felt in that moment. “My boyfriend, Griffin, was interested in this book, right?”

  Gonzalez remained silent, probably afraid she’d clam up again if he uttered a word.

  “Well, I got it from the library a week before he was scheduled to come back. But things were going so well for him that he couldn’t leave. Real estate was booming in India, so he wanted to prolong his stay to capitalize on it.”

  When she remained quiet, the detective spoke up. “You thought the book would bring him back sooner?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Not exactly. I just don’t want to do anything permanent. If the book’s late, it’s late. Griffin reads it. We return it.” Another sigh escaped her lips. “But if I return it, it’s like I’m admitting he may never come back. And if I pay it off, it’s got that same tone of finality. I want him to read it. I want to laugh about the way I kept it so long. We could take the thing back together, look for more books
while we’re there.” The sky promised daylight ahead as a small strip of light grew on the horizon. “I don’t see him often, but I know he’s out there. Like I know my parents are. And I know they love me, they just don’t need me the way … the way some people need their kids or their girlfriends.”

  “And you’re okay with that?” He sounded frustrated.

  “Of course. I’m fine with the way things are.” She thought of her grandmother then. The one who’d raised her. And for the first time since the dear woman’s death, Cassie felt relieved that she was no longer living. Grandma would have probably died from the stress alone – worried over her granddaughter and the men out to kill her.

  Just hearing the words in her head made Cassie woozy. Had her thinking back on what the detective had said about the two jurors who were found dead. He’d given her enough information to know that both Lisa and Pam, the two women Cassie had grown closest to, were safe. Gonzalez said that while he couldn’t yet reveal who’d been murdered, he could confirm who hadn’t, if she asked. After confirming that eighteen-year-old Ryan was safe, Cassie left it there. Didn’t want to dig into her memory of the other jurors and the few details she knew of their home, spouses, or children. It was simply too painful.

  A group of savage men wanted her dead. Another stranger had offered to shelter her from the danger. And whether it would prove to be an older man, like the proud, grey-haired cowboy sitting up front, or a kind married couple willing to take in a girl in need, she was grateful for their help. She only hoped she’d be able to carry her own weight. Do them more good than harm during her stay, however long that stay might be.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Shane was crankier than a bull kept from the heifer’s pasture. Any sliver of hope he may have carried on the ride to the airport was long gone. This was bound to be one fine mess. He leaned against his truck and folded his arms, eyes set on the airport exit.

  When his cell phone buzzed, it took him four solid rings to even look at the thing. Maybe it was the girl’s chaperone, letting him know they’d arrived. Perhaps if he didn’t pick up, they’d turn around and ship her some place else.