by Chloe Lang
“Damn right it is. She’s amazing.”
“We need to talk to the sheriff about Soto. He needs to know everything.” Lance felt his pulse get hot, realizing how awful Danielle’s young life had been. “I’d also like to bring in more help. We can hire the best to find the fucker. I don’t want him anywhere near her.”
“I completely agree.” Chuck put some plates on the table. “I like her, Lance. I like her very much.”
“So do I.” He and Chuck were on the same page, and that thrilled him. Now, they could move things forward with Danielle. “I’ve never met anyone who holds a candle to her. After everything she’s gone through, she just keeps on going. Most would’ve crawled into a hole and given up.”
“She’s so funny and beautiful.” Chuck’s tone held a reverence and awe. Like him, Chuck was completely mesmerized by Danielle. “God, listen to us, buddy. We sound like two lovesick school boys.”
“I know.” Is that what we are? Lovesick?
* * * *
Danielle looked at her fingertips, which were wrinkled beyond belief. Her glass of wine was empty and the candle had burned down. The water, which had been very hot, was now cool.
How long have I been in here? Quite long, by the looks of things.
She stood and grabbed a towel.
Drying off, she smelled the aroma of bacon.
After putting on a robe, she walked into the kitchen. Lance and Chuck both gave her a kiss and led her to the table, which was filled with a delicious meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and biscuits and gravy.
“This is quite the breakfast you’ve prepared, gentlemen. Thank you. I rarely eat at home since I work at the diner. This is very nice.”
Chuck put his arm around her. “Our pleasure, sweetheart.”
Lance pulled the chair out for her, and she took a seat.
“You two are spoiling me.”
“That’s the plan.” Lance’s sweet side was something she couldn’t get enough of. “Do you feel better after your bath?”
“I do. Very relaxed.” She took a bite of bacon, which was cooked just to her liking. Crispy. “Delicious.”
“Try the orange juice.” Chuck’s gentle strength was intoxicating. “That was my contribution.”
“He pours like a pro, Danielle,” Lance teased. “I can’t wait for you to taste the gravy. My mother was an incredible cook. She taught me how to make it.”
“No time like the present.” She took a big fluffy biscuit and broke it in two. She covered the pieces in Lance’s cream gravy. She took a forkful and brought it to her mouth. It tasted fantastic. “This is the best gravy I’ve ever had. You have to share your recipe with Carlotta and the cooks. It would be a huge hit.” She took another bite.
Lance smiled. “I knew you would like it.”
They finished the meal, laughing and talking. It felt so natural being with Lance and Chuck. They didn’t come off as rich bastards. She believed they could fit in anywhere, here at her kitchen table as well as boardrooms at corporations. Their charm and confidence was so appealing.
“Guys, I want to go see the sheriff.” Sharing everything with Lance and Chuck had opened her up to trust. Sheriff Champion deserved to hear the rest of her story. “He knows some of what I told you, but I need to tell him the rest.”
The sheriff knew her real name and knew about Miguel and her mom. What she hadn’t told him was how really bad it was growing up with those two. He needed to hear all of it. Maybe in some way that would help him and Austin in their mission to bring down the cartel and save not just her, but also poor Trent.
“Sheriff Champion is a good man. Yes, you need to tell him everything.” Lance grabbed her hand and squeezed. “What time do you want to get to his office?”
“My shift starts at two this afternoon, so at least by noon.”
“I don’t think you need to be working right now.” Chuck’s tone was stern. “We need to keep our eyes on you.”
She smiled. “Overprotective looks good on you, Mr. Covington. I’ll be fine at the diner. You can stay there if you want for my whole shift, but I doubt the cartel would make a move in broad daylight in such a public place with so many people.”
“Don’t forget about the car that nearly ran you over, honey.” Lance looked quite serious. “That was broad daylight, too.”
“You’re right, but I can’t let Carlotta down. She’s done so much for me.”
Lance cleared the dishes. “We’ll make sure she’s not left hanging.”
“We’ll take care of it.” Chuck wiped the table. God, she enjoyed being pampered by him and Lance. “But I do agree with you that you need to talk to the sheriff again. We’ll get you there safe and sound.”
She stood to help finish cleaning up the meal, but both of them motioned for her to stay put. Their take-charge demeanors spoke to her deeply. They’re quite the duo. She couldn’t help but like them, and the truth was, she could feel her heart warming even more to them every second she was with them.
“I’m going to check the perimeter, Chuck.” Lance grabbed his gun, reminding her how dangerous her current situation was.
“I’ll stay with Danielle, but we’ll make sure all the locks on the windows and doors are secure.”
If Miguel did find her, with the help of the cartel, at least she wouldn’t be alone. She would be with Lance and Chuck, her bodyguards. Knowing that made her feel a little better, but she prayed the bastard would never find her. The chances she wouldn’t have to face him were slim. The cartel was helping Miguel. Why? What lies had he told them about her to enlist their aid?
An image of her mother floated in the back of her mind. Had she gone to prison, too? Where was she? Was her mother with Miguel still? She’d never bothered to check, trying to completely separate herself from that life.
* * * *
Miguel Soto parked the Harley he’d stolen two days ago in front of the coin-op Laundromat. He walked in and looked at the man behind the desk. He’d been one of the few trusted friends of Miguel’s before he’d gone to prison.
“Hey, Soliz.”
“Miguel, I’m glad you got out. All the old gang heard about your call to your cousin.”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m here. To see Ricardo.”
Soliz smiled. “He’s expecting you.”
“I heard things had changed.”
“Some good and some bad, Miguel. Your cousin is top of the food chain these days.” Soliz shrugged and then leaned forward. “Everyone will be glad to see you.”
“I’ve got some business to attend to, but tell them I will be contacting them soon.”
“Just like the old days. Perfecto. I think you’ll like what we’ve done for you while you were away.” The man looked around and whispered. “You have many supporters.”
“You’re a true friend, Soliz.” Miguel walked to the door, passing the women who were folding their clothes. Several young children were running around. One nearly knocked into him. If he’d been somewhere else, he wouldn’t have thought twice to kick the little bastard. But Gomez Washateria was just another front for the Rio Grande cartel, which controlled all the trafficking in the entire Southwest, so he plastered a smile on his face.
He looked at the sign on the door, which read “Employees Only.” He pushed it open and came face-to-face with two men carrying assault rifles, neither of whom he recognized. Ricardo’s men.
“Manos a la cabeza,” the taller of the two ordered.
He complied, placing his hands on his head. They frisked him and removed his pistol.
They led him to another door. The shorter man knocked.
“Come.” A voice he hadn’t heard in years came through the door.
They opened it and he walked in and saw Ricardo Delgado, the capo of the most powerful cartel in the States. “Hola, cousin.”
“Hello, Ricardo. I’m glad to be talking to you instead of your underlings.”
“Business keeps me busy, Miguel. Sit.”
He took a seat.
“As you know, much has happened since you went to prison.” Ricardo motioned to the two men who had escorted him here, and they left the room. “You and I don’t have much family left, Miguel. My father is dead. Carlos took over, but was gunned down shortly after. Your father is dead. Family is family. Now that you are out, I’d like to offer you a job in my organization.”
“Your organization?” The bastard was more smug than he remembered him to be. “I know Carlos is dead, but you and I are equals. That hasn’t changed.”
“You went to prison, Miguel. Everything has changed.” Ricardo picked up the phone. “Send her in.”
“Do you have my stepdaughter or not?”
“Straight to business. I like that.” Ricardo leaned back in his chair. “My men sent her a message. We’ll see how she responds.”
He frowned. “You just want me to sit back and wait?”
“That’s exactly what you will do, Miguel. What I want. This town she lives in has been problematic to the organization. Patience has gotten me to this chair. No one will harm Danielle unless I give the order. Trust me. We wait.”
The door opened and Merle, Miguel’s wife and Danielle’s mother, walked in. Miguel hadn’t expected to see her again. She’d refused to testify on his behalf in the murder case.
Fucking bitch. What was she doing here?
“Ah, my pet.” Ricardo smiled, letting Miguel know the score. Merle was with his cousin now. This was Ricardo’s way of reminding him who was in charge. “Come over here and give your man a kiss.”
Miguel’s gut tightened in rage, but he remained silent, knowing his cousin had all the cards stacked in his favor at the moment. The cunt is mine, bastard. He thought about Soliz’s earlier words. Time to plan a takeover. He couldn’t wait to put a bullet in Ricardo’s head.
Merle looked as beautiful as he remembered, though her eyes were vacant. She glanced at him and sighed. She went to his cousin, who grabbed her and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her, not with passion but with a sign of his power.
Fucker.
“You’re the boss.” His gut burned with hate.
“Cousin, we have a common interest in Danielle, but I want to know more about this treasure she stole from you.”
He wasn’t going to tell him about the book. “Jewels. Merle, you remember Pauline, don’t you?”
She nodded meekly.
What a whore Merle was. She would pay. Ricardo would pay. Danielle would pay.
All he needed was the book.
Chapter Nine
At 11:45 am, Danielle walked into Sheriff Champion’s office with Lance and Chuck.
“Good morning.” The sheriff sat behind his desk. “Have a seat.”
“Sheriff, Chuck and I are headed to the diner,” Lance said. “One of us will be taking Danielle’s shift today. The other will be back to pick her up when she’s done talking to you.”
“I told you that I am fully capable of working my shift, guys. As much as I appreciate all you’re doing for me, you don’t have to do this.”
Chuck placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “With the cartel and Soto gunning for you, it’s best for you to keep your head down and stay out of sight.”
“I’m surprised you let me out of my house, guys. I feel like I’m under house arrest.”
Sheriff Champion’s eyes narrowed. “Young lady, you need to listen to them. They’re right about this. We need to be very cautious when it comes to you. I’m glad that Lance and Chuck realize how serious this is. You almost got run over by a car yesterday, or have you forgotten?”
Thrilled with Wayne Champion’s fatherly demeanor, she smiled. “I haven’t forgotten. Do you really think they would try something like that again? Inside the diner?”
“Danielle, the cartel is unpredictable,” the sheriff said.
Chuck kissed her gently. “We can’t be too careful.”
She looked over at the sheriff, who sent her a knowing wink. “Three against one. You win. I’ll stay away from the diner. But you better do your best for Carlotta, guys. Whichever one of you ends up working my shift today, work hard. Okay?”
“That’ll be me, and I will.” Lance kissed her. “Chuck is taking your shift tomorrow.”
They walked out the door, leaving her alone with Sheriff Champion.
He smiled. “Very nice guys, those two.”
“Yes, they are.” God, meeting Lance and Chuck had been the best thing to happen to her in a long time.
Was she playing with fire? Would her heart get burned if she kept going down this path? Probably, but good or bad, she wanted to spend more time with Lance and Chuck.
“Danielle, I can see you have feelings for them, don’t you?”
She’d expected that out of Carlotta. But the sheriff? “Is everyone in Wilde tasked with playing matchmaker?”
He laughed. “I suppose so.”
“We only just met, Sheriff.”
“Not a big believer in love at first sight? I am. The second I saw Connie, I knew she was for me. She’s the love of my life, my dream girl. Seeing how those two fellows are with you, I think they have already fallen for you, too.”
She wouldn’t mind being Lance and Chuck’s dream girl. “You’re a hopeless romantic, Sheriff.”
“I am. Completely hopeless. Mark my words, Danielle. You three belong together.”
She wished he was right, but she knew she came with a ton of baggage. Was that fair to Lance and Chuck? They had little of their own. Their lives seemed so perfect. Billionaire bachelors. How could she ever fit in?
“I want to talk to you about Miguel Soto, Sheriff.”
“You told me about him, Danielle. Yesterday.”
“I told you some, but not everything.” She looked in his eyes. Even though she trusted him, it was hard to dredge up the past again. Would he think less of her?
Wayne walked to the chair next to her and sat down. He grabbed her hand. “Young lady, I want to hear all of it. The more I know, the better I can help you.”
“I want to tell you everything.”
When she finished retelling what had happened at Pauline’s house, Wayne put his arm around her. “You are extremely strong, Danielle. I’ve known it ever since I met you. And now I know why. How many twelve-year-old girls would’ve had the daring, the courage, the guts to do what you did?”
Hearing him talk about her with such pride made her feel so good. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for sharing this with me. What you’ve told me will help Austin and I to figure out what to do next with the cartel.”
“Where is Miguel?”
“We’re not sure, but the last report from Austin had the bastard in Texas three days ago. It might be time to get you out of town, Danielle. Those two have a jet. I bet they have a place they could take you to until things settle down.”
“That’s asking too much of them. I wouldn’t dare. They’ve already gone overboard. Besides, I’m not going to let the cartel or Miguel dictate to me where I can or can’t be. I love Wilde. This is my home now.” It felt good to say it out loud, to feel it in her very soul. “I’m not leaving.”
Sheriff Champion smiled. “Like I said before. You’ve got courage. I don’t agree, but I understand. Just be careful. We will get through this together.”
“Yes, we will.” With Lance and Chuck by my side, I can face anything.
* * * *
Chuck looked at the text from Michael. He and Harry were coming back early. Once they’d learned about the car incident with Danielle, they’d wrapped up their business at Lake Tahoe fast. He would be glad to have the two back in Wilde. With all that was going on with Danielle, he wanted good friends by his side.
He and Lance grabbed a cup of coffee and asked Carlotta to sit down with them in the booth by the window.
“As you already know, we are Danielle’s bodyguards until all of this is settled.” Chuck looked into the dear lady’s eyes and saw such compassion and concern for Danielle.
“We’ve talked to Sheriff Champion. She is with him now. The sheriff, Lance, and I think it’s not safe for her to work after that car incident.”
“I agree vith you, completely.” Carlotta had such a big heart. “I love dhat girl very much. She is like a daughter to me.”
“We care for her, too.” The change in Lance was evident.
The truth was both he and Lance had been transformed completely since meeting Danielle. She was the reason for the about-face in their lives. What was once gray was now full of color. What was dull was now full of excitement. He hadn’t laughed so much with anyone in years. He was even pondering what it would be like to be with her after everything with Soto and the cartel came to an end.
He couldn’t imagine Danielle not being in his life—not being with her. Even now, he missed Danielle, though he and Lance had only left her ten minutes ago at the sheriff’s office.
“I see in both your eyes something very interesting.” Carlotta tapped on the counter. “I must read you both. And Danielle. Da spirits are restless. I can feel dhey have messages for da dhree of you. I vill come over to Danielle’s tonight. I vill bring my cards and my crystal ball. Dis is not up for negotiation, gentlemen.”
“We wouldn’t dream of trying to stop you.” Lance leaned forward. “Actually, I’m a big believer in the spirits.”
“I know, but Chuck is not. Correct?”
“That’s true,” Chuck admitted. “But if anyone could convince me otherwise, Carlotta, I am sure it would be you.”
She laughed. “You are right about dhat, Mr. Covington. Vhich one of you vill take Danielle’s shift today?”
“That will be me,” Lance said.
Austin walked into the diner, his face darkening. The man had a presence that filled any room he entered. “What are you two doing here? Where is Danielle?”
“She’s vith Sheriff Champion, Mr. Vilde. She is safe.”
Austin looked at them. “Did anything happen at her house last night?”
“That’s none of your business,” Chuck shot back, angry at the man’s audacity.
