But he’d want us to leave. If it meant revenge or life, he’d want us to choose life, even if that life will never be peaceful.
“What if you did have a choice?” Guy asks, facing us again. “What if we offer Ranger something in exchange for your lives?”
Hunter shakes his head. “Ella and Gable are loose ends. There’s nothing you could give him?—”
“Me,” Guy says and folds his arms. “I’m worth more than every cop on that list. He can buy me.”
“Dad, no,” Ella says. “You can’t do that.”
“I can and I will,” he says. “I can’t let you live the rest ofyour life running. I can’t agree to never see you again. You’re all I’ve got, baby.”
“This is your reputation, Guy,” I say. “God knows what he’ll ask you to do for him.”
Ella rushes to him and wraps her arms around his waist. He holds her, kissing the top of her head and squeezing his eyes closed.
In that moment, the love between them is almost palpable. The kind of love a parent has for a child, one I’ve hardly seen but for the moments shared between Hunter, Asher and me. I’m witnessing a parent giving up everything for his child.
He squeezes Ella tighter and rests his cheek on her head. “As long as she’s alive, I don’t care.”
Chapter 43
Gable
With his phone placed on the desk, Guy calls Ranger Luxe. Hunter got his number through a friend of a friend, and while we waited, we called in reinforcements. X, Y and Z are all here, and Monty stayed, examining her nails and sighing as if she has better places to be.
We’re gathered in the study.
The phone rings. Ranger answers.
“Ranger Luxe.” The words sound like a threat—deep, smooth, confident.
Guy doesn’t flinch. “This is Guy Gibson.”
A beat of silence. Ella leans into my chest, her eyes fixed on her dad.
“Chief,” Ranger says, a hint of amusement in his voice. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Smug prick.
“I have something you want,” Guy says, his voice firm and unwavering. I’ve never respected him more than I do right now, and I never thought I’d think that about Guy fucking Gibson. “A hard drive.”
More silence passes, and I wonder if Ranger’s smile has vanished.
“Doesn’t ring any bells.”
Guy takes a breath. “I think it does. But I’m willing to give it back to you if you leave my daughter alone.”
“If this is a poor attempt at getting me to confess to something, Chief, then I believe this is what a court of law would call entrapment.”
“I’m standing here with Hunter DeLuca. Believe me, nothing about this conversation is legal or recorded.”
Ranger laughs. “Playing with cops, Hunter? How very DeLuca of you.”
“How’s my niece?” Hunter snaps back.
Ranger huffs. “Denver is perfectly well. Pregnant and glowing. Chief, let’s play hypotheticals. If you were to hypothetically offer me this hard drive in return for your daughter’s safety, I would highlight the risks still posed to me.”
He’s negotiating. Not very carefully, either.
