“Tim, Wallace. Nice work out there. Randy tells me you’re interested in buying some white-tail deer?”
“That’s right,” I say, keeping my voice level.
“Well, you’ve proven you can handle yourselves. We’ll set up the buy in the next few weeks. Should be around Christmas.” He pulls out his phone, makes a note. “Keep your phones on and available. When I call, you answer.”
“Understood,” Dakota says.
As we’re loading up to leave, one of the other hunters claps me on the back. No one has taken their buffs off, so I don’t know who the hell this is. Wish I did. “You did good out there, Tim. Most first-timers are shakier.”
“Grew up hunting,” I say with a shrug. “It’s in the blood.”
The drive back is silent until we’re well away from the property. We stop at a pull-off and check the SUV for trackers and listening devices again. Once we’re sure nothing has been placed there while we left the SUV unattended, Dakota lets out a long breath.
“So that’s the guy who’s been fucking with Magnolia. I kinda thought because I’d seen him around your family, but I never really paid attention.”
Which makes sense, I don’t talk about Magnolia typically, at least I didn’t before the night I pulled her off that fucking table. The only other way Dakota would’ve known would be through Molly. And I don’t think they hang out.
“Yeah.”
“He’s a real piece of shit, ain’t he?”
“You have no idea,” I mutter, my hands clenching into fists on my thighs.
We head straight to the station to brief Director Drake. He listens as we describe everything. From the definite setup, to the other hunters that were there.
“There’s a local who seems to be the ring leader. Cody is connected to me, I should let you know.”
“How’s that?” His gaze falls heavily on me, and I can feel my face warm.
“He’s married to my sister’s best friend, and if I’m being completely honest with you, she’s staying at my house. Her and Cody are having issues, and she had to leave. It’s complicated.”
“You’re damn right this is complicated,” Director Drake says, leaning back in his chair. “Harrison, you’re going to need to be extra careful. If he finds out who you really are, or worse, if he finds out about your connection to his ex-wife…”
“I know, sir.”
“Do you?” His eyes are sharp. “Because personal involvement in undercover operations is how agents get killed.”
Those words land hard in my chest. “I understand.”
“I hope you do.” He stands, signaling the end of the meeting. “Good work today, both of you. Keep your cover tight, and don’t do anything stupid.”
As we leave his office, Dakota turns to me. “You gonna tell her?”
I think about Magnolia, probably at my house right now, probably working on orders, probably worrying about when I’ll be home.
“If it comes up, yes. There’s no sense in worrying her until we have to.”
But those words taste bad, and I know that I’m just delaying the inevitable.
Chapter 20
Magnolia
I wake up to the smell of coffee, which is strange because I don’t remember setting the timer on the coffee maker. Then I remember; I’m not at home, where I had to set the coffee maker. I’m in Levi’s bed, in Levi’s house, and the events of the past few weeks come rushing back.
Where there had been a sickness to my stomach when I’d previously thought about the situation I was living in, I now feel a sense of relief. I’m where I should be, and know if anything were to happen Levi would protect me. There’s a freedom in the security of knowing someone will stand up for you.
Stretching, I glance at the clock. It’s early, barely past six, but I need to get started on my orders. Thanksgiving is in three days, and I’m booked solid with custom orders. I’d started taking them over the summer when things weren’t nearly as bad with Cody. Maybe I knew I’d need the money.
