Ivy’s dad exited the truck along with Beau’s mom.
“I’m the one you want,” she said, hands in the air.“Leave my boy alone, and I’ll go with you.I’ll take you to the evidence, and then you can do what you want with it after that.Just promise never to lay a hand on my son.”
Talon’s gaze bounced from Emma to Beau and back.“What’s to keep you from lying to us again, Emma?”
“You know who my son is, and I have no doubt you’ll come after him if I mislead you again,” she said.
“I can’t let you sacrifice yourself for me,” Beau said to her.No way in the world would he allow this to happen.“Get back inside the truck, please.”
A horn honked.Then another.
“Do you want to keep holding up traffic?”Ivy asked.“Draw more attention?Because this seems like a very bad idea.”
Horns blared.
“We’ll follow you to the abandoned warehouse at the end of the street,” Talon finally said.“Try to lose us, and the safety comes off the guns.”
“Fine.”Ivy ushered them back to the truck.
This time, Beau claimed the driver’s seat.He would veer off if the opportunity came in order to buy some time.
The shell of a building came up too fast for him to make a move.A few squatters watched silently as both vehicles pulled up to the rusted-beam, broken-window warehouse.No way was Beau going inside or allowing anyone else to, for that matter.
For a split second, he questioned the wisdom of not calling the law.As much as he didn’t want his mother to be arrested, she needed to face consequences for her actions.Attempting to blackmail someone for money wasn’t a smart move beyond being illegal.
Within seconds, both vehicles emptied, and a circle formed.
All Beau could think about was protecting Ivy and his mom.Despite what she’d done, he wanted her safe.Jack had been quiet on the short ride.In fact, he’d been quiet ever since his daughter had asked Beau not to call the cops.
“I’m the one you want.”Beau’s mother tried to step forward.He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t do it,” he warned.
One of the squatters seemed to sense enough danger to pick up and move on.Not exactly a warm and fuzzy sign.
“This is between you and me,” Talon said to Emma.
“I’m just as to blame,” Jack finally piped in.
“Do you know where the thumb drive with the evidence is hidden?”Talon asked.
“I sure do,” he said.
“No, he doesn’t.I’m the only one who knows.”Beau’s mom turned toward Jack.“Stop trying to be a hero.You’ll get yourself killed when they figure out you don’t know what I did with the proof.”
Beau needed to level the playing field.Clay and Royce had guns.Would they use them?It would be one against three if he tackled Talon.With Beau’s injuries, he had no idea how he would fight his way out of this.
He needed a miracle.
“Hands in the air where I can see ’em.”Travis’s voice boomed from a megaphone.
Beau glanced around.Where the hell was Travis?
“The place is surrounded.”Travis spoke with the authority of someone with many years of experience in law enforcement.He left no room for doubt where he stood.Since sheriffs were peace officers, they had the authority to make arrests under a mutual aid agreement, such as this one.Hands raised.
“One by one, I need you to move slowly to remove any weapons from your person.Gently place them on the ground and then kick them away from you.No sudden movements,” Travis instructed.
Royce went first, followed by Clay.Then, Talon.
