Chapter Twenty-Two
A n hour and a half later, Sadie stood in the ranch’s kitchen, her hands busy chopping vegetables, but her mind was elsewhere. The tension in the air was palpable, thickening with each passing minute. She was on edge, every small noise making her jump.
When they’d first arrived, Gabe had greeted them, pulling Dale aside for a chat, but Cooper and Mac had ushered her into the house, so she hadn’t heard their conversation.
Wasn’t sure she wanted to, anyway.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the countertops, but there was no comfort in its warmth today. According to Sam, the ranch had always been a place of peace, of quiet solitude, and she’d experienced the same on the couple of visits she’d made out here to help Sam pack. But now, the ranch felt like a fortress under siege.
Dale was beside her, his presence solid and reassuring as always. Under different circumstances, the gun and shoulder holster strapped to him would’ve turned her on, big time, but right now, it just hammered in the fact that their situation was big time dangerous.
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch warm through the fabric of her shirt. “We’re going to get through this,” he said softly, his voice carrying the conviction she so desperately needed. “We’ve got the best team here with us. You’re safe.”
Sadie nodded, trying to force a smile, but the tightness in her chest wouldn’t ease. She knew Dale was right—they had done everything they could to protect themselves and the people they cared about. But the uncertainty, the waiting, were wearing her down.
“I just want this to be over,” she murmured, her hands slowing as she sliced through a bell pepper. “I hate feeling like I’m putting everyone in danger. Like my being here is a risk to all of you. Especially to you. I’m more worried about you than me.”
Dale turned her to face him, his gaze full of warmth and confidence. “Sadie, listen to me. This isn’t your fault. We’re all here because we want to be. Because we care about you and each other. We’re a team, and we’re going to handle whatever comes our way. We’ve got this.”
She knew that. She’d heard it from him before, but God, she was worried. Her heart squeezed so tightly she could barely breathe. Sadie couldn’t bear it if something happened to him. Inhaling, she let his words sink in. Dale’s confidence was like a lifeline, pulling her back from the edge of panic.
“You’re right,” she said, finally allowing herself a small, genuine smile. “We’ve got this.”
But even as she said the words, a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something big.
Pushing it aside, she lifted up to press her lips to his, needing the distraction, as well as the grounding she felt in his arms. He kissed her back, but they both seemed to be leashing their control, because they weren’t even breathing hard when they drew apart.
“The coffee is ready,” she said, nodding toward the pot that had just finished gurgling. “I’ll take it into the guys. I’m sure they’re ready for some.”
He smiled. “Yes, staying caffeinated is a must. Let me help.”
She set the loaded carafe onto the hot pad she’d already placed in the center of a small tray. There wasn’t room for the mugs. “You can take the tray. I’ll bring these,” she said, holding up the white mugs.
As Sadie followed Dale through the house in which he’d grown up, she had no trouble imagining a younger version of him playing in the rooms, running down the stairs in time for a meal, doing homework at the kitchen table, or drinking hot cocoa in front of the large stone fireplace in the den they just entered. Her spirits lifted a little, and her lips even twitched.
Her half smile was still there when she walked toward Mac and Cooper gathered around the monitors they’d set up, their eyes glued to the screens as they watched the feeds from the security cameras placed around the ranch.
RJ and Dean were currently hunkered down somewhere outside, as well as Sinjin and Hunter. The property was well-fortified, with cameras covering every angle, every possible point of entry. They were ready for anything. At least, she hoped.
“Coffee’s done,” Dale stated, setting the tray in an empty spot on the table between the two men.
She set the mugs next to it. “This should hold you over until dinner.”
“Thanks,” Cooper said, already pouring himself a mug.
Mac nodded but remained at his post. Frowning, he leaned forward, squinting at one of the monitors. “Got something,” he said as a sharp tone sounded through the room as a red square with “Alert” on it flashed on a screen. “Four heat signatures in the woods, southeast side. Not Sinjin or Hunter.”
Sadie stiffened, and her heart lurched.
“Cooper, text them to check it out,” Mac instructed, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency.
Cooper quickly tapped out a message to the two agents patrolling the grounds. Not even ten seconds later, another alert flashed on the screen.
“Two more signatures,” Mac stated in a tight, efficient, military tone. “Northwest side of the property.”
The tension in the room skyrocketed, and Sadie felt her pulse spike as she tried to keep her hands steady.
“I’ll alert RJ and Dean,” Cooper said, and Mac nodded, as the former was already typing on his phone.
A tremor raced through Sadie, and she worked hard to stop a second from following. Dale wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “It’s okay,” he whispered into her hair. “They’ve got it under control. You’re safe here with me.”
She nodded against his chest, trying to focus on his strong, steady, reassuring heartbeat. But then, a loud explosion shook the house, and her head snapped up in alarm while her heart raced where it was currently lodged in her throat. “What was that?”
Mac frowned at the monitors. “It was the outbuilding in the far pasture,” he announced grimly.
“On it.” Cooper shot to his feet. “And I’ll call 911 on the way,” he said, racing from the room.
Two seconds later, the sound of a door shutting met her ears.
Was this really happening? Sadie asked herself, feeling a bit surreal.
Whoever was doing this, whether it was a cartel or not, they’d taken their time, drawing things out over the past week and a half or so. But now, they’d sped things up to rapid fire rate. They’d gone from slow motion to fast forward.
It was crazy, and that skyrocketed her fear. Her pulse raced, chest was tight, and she was having trouble concentrating on breathing.
“How the hell are they doing this?” Dale muttered a curse as he pointed to the screens. “Sinjin, Hunter, Dean, and RJ’s signatures are still with the other heat sources out in the woods. It can’t be those intruders doing this.”
Mac nodded, his jaw tight. “My guess is time fuzes were already in place before we tightened security here.
“So, they’re doing it remotely.” Dale’s jaw was tight.
An icy chill gripped Sadie’s already too tight chest. Was the house next?
Mac’s muttered oath recaptured her attention, and she glanced at the screen he was frowning at. “The barn’s on fire now,” he announced grimly.
The barn…
Sucking in a breath, she slapped a hand to her chest. “We’ve got to get the horses out!”
“I’ll do it,” Mac stated, rising to his feet. “You two stay here.”
Sadie tried to follow the guy out the door, but Dale pulled her back, his grip firm. “No, Sadie, stay inside,” he insisted, his grip as firm as his tone. “Mac will take care of it.”
“But the horses—” she began, her voice cracking with worry.
“They’ll be okay,” he reassured, leaning in he brushed her temple with his lips. “We need to stay here, where it’s safe. Cooper will help Mac get the horses out. The sheriff and fire department should be here soon. In fact, I think I can hear the sirens now. Listen.”
She did, and sure enough, she heard a muffled wail in the distance, growing louder and louder.
“Watch the screen,” he said, pointing to a specific monitor. Flashing lights and first responder vehicles turned onto the long driveway. “See? The cameras are picking them up now.”
Relief rushed through Sadie’s body so fast, her knees buckled. She reached out to grasp Dale’s arm to keep from falling.
“I’ve got you,” he said, drawing her close.
He held her for several minutes, stroking her hair as they watched the arrival of the sheriff and firefighters on a monitor. Gabe spoke with Mac, his expression grim.
That about stopped Sadie’s heart.
Was something wrong with the horses? Or one of the guys?
The not knowing was killing her.
Within minutes, the firefighters had their hoses and equipment set up and began to battle the blaze. On the monitor hooked up to a thermal camera, she watched the heat signatures of the fire dance across the screen. It was both amazing and terrifying, but in the stillness of the house, another moment of relief washed over her. They were safe, together, and help had arrived. She leaned into Dale, drawing comfort from his steady presence.
But then, something caught her eye. Two firefighters dressed in full gear suddenly broke away from the barn and started heading toward the ranch house at a fast pace.
Alarm bells rang in her mind, and she turned to Dale, her voice trembling. “Something’s wrong. I hope none of the guys got hurt or the horses.”
Again, not knowing was driving her nuts.
Concern tightened Dale’s expression. He released her and withdrew his gun from its holster. “Stay here,” he ordered, his tone firm but laced with worry. “Let me handle this.”
She wanted to argue, to insist on going with him, but the look in his eyes stopped her halfway to the door. Reluctantly, she nodded, watching as he continued toward the knocking. He cracked it open cautiously, but before he could react, a heavy air tank slammed into his head. Sadie watched in horror as Dale crumpled unconscious to the floor.
Fear surged through her, and she screamed, but it was cut off as two men, now inside, slammed the door shut and locked it behind them. The roar of the fire and the chaos outside no doubt drowned out her cries.
They were on their own.
Maybe she could make it to the back door? Or the den and shut the door. Sadie turned and ran with all she had, but the larger of the two men caught up with her easily. He clamped his beefy fingers around her wrist, his eyes cold and unfeeling as he tugged her back to the living room, laughing at her attempts to pull away. She tried another tactic, landing a hard kick to the side of his knee. The guy howled, and just when she managed to tug free, he punched her face with his other hand, sending her sprawling to the floor beside Dale.
Dazed, in pain, and terrified, she scrambled toward him, her heart breaking at the sight of him so still and vulnerable. But the men grabbed them both, dragging them into the den with chilling efficiency. The one who punched her disappeared momentarily, and she thought about running for the front door, but he returned with two wooden kitchen chairs.
“Sit,” he ordered, but when she didn’t listen, he grabbed her arm, his gaze dark and nauseatingly amused.
Again, she tried to fight, kicking, scratching, and punching, but he backhanded her to the floor.
More unbearable pain radiated through her face, taking away what little breath she’d managed to get through her tight chest and into her lungs. The bastard raised his hand again and would’ve struck her a third time if the other man hadn’t intervened.
“Stop wasting time, Pedro. I’m not paying you to get your jollies,” the younger of the two men muttered. He might even be younger than Sadie. “Just tie her up and get over here. I need your help with Taylor.”
She resisted, but it was no use. He easily and painfully held her down with an inappropriately placed knee while he zip-tied her wrists to the arms of the chair. Agony ricochetted through her body, but she held her cry inside, unwilling to give him the pleasure.
When he finally removed his weight, he dragged her and her chair toward the fireplace, maneuvering her until she was facing Dale’s prone body, lying about four feet away. He released her with a push, and her chair wobbled. Luckily, her ankles were not restrained, and she was able to use her feet to steady herself.
Inhaling, she blinked away the tears of pain gathering in her eyes. No matter what, he was not going to get that from her. Neither would the other man.
He was the hoodie guy who’d been in her garage. She could tell by his thinner stature and the way he walked. Quick, confident, and surefooted, not trudging like his accomplice. He’d already taken away her sanctuary, she was not going to give him anything else.
It was strange. The more Sadie thought about it, the angrier she got.
But when the men converged over Dale, her fear returned.