“Illegal drugs, as opposed to sedatives, doesn’t make it any safer for us, Mateo. That was stupid of you to bring those women here!”
“As stupid as you leaving the sliding door open so Jade could escape?”
“Shut the hell up, Mateo!” Franco shouted.
Mateo leaned forward and glowered at him. “Do you remember Axel saying Chase was a badass, and when he found out where Jade was, he’d kick down our door? Chase is, and he showed us that in spades when he destroyed the gate.”
“So what?” Franco grimaced. “The gate’s being replaced as we speak.”
“So what?” Mateo barked. “Chase slung a cannon out of that Hummer window and pulled the trigger. If he takes aim, you’re a dead man.”
“Not if we kill him first.”
* * *
“Hypnosis was the missing puzzle piece,”Jade said as she and Chase rode Jubilee and Valor along the creek trail. They hadn’t discussed the Spatafore situation for a few days, but Katy had texted Jade’s new cell phone earlier, saying she was secretly searching for a job. “I’m relieved Katy is going to leave. It’s hard to say how many women Franco and Mateo have hurt.”
“Did you tell her about the hypnosis and drugs?” Chase asked.
“Yes,” Jade replied as Jubilee kept pace with Valor. “Like me, Katy had no idea hypnosis was part of Mateo’s practice. But as medical doctors, they both write prescriptions.”
“They’re charlatans, not doctors,” Chase growled.
On the horizon, beyond Pikes Peak, the setting sun rivaled fireworks as it mixed orange into the blue sky. Orange and blue were Denver Bronco colors Chase had told her regarding his favorite football team. He had season tickets and planned to take her to some games at the Mile High Stadium in Denver.
As for Colorado Springs, he’d said that nearly 250 days a year, the sun shone, and this had been another glorious day on Triple C Ranch-Central. And the nights? After being brave enough to admit her love for Chase, Jade’s shyness had vanished. He loved her, too, and day or night, their lovemaking proved hotter than the fireworks and sunset combined.” You’re the real-deal cowboy who got me through making love, and everything went back to normal.”
“Nah.” Chase shook his head, cocked a brow, and, with a grin, added, “You’re way better than normal, baby.”
Her heart melted at his compliment. “Because we got through it together.”
With the Spatafores, it was a he-said-she-said situation, and Jade had begged Chase not to call the police. She was sure the Spatafores had him on camera ramming the gate and didn’t want to bring Chase any more trouble. As to the kidnapping, she couldn’t prove it, and for now, Chase had agreed not to call the police.
Chase had wanted to take two or three ranch hands, go to the rental house, and pack up her belongings right away. But Red, Reno, and Faro had left the ranch to transport cattle. Mitch and Thatch had lost their father to a heart attack and were in Durango to attend the funeral and spend time with family. Bob, Mean Pete, and Martyman were busy branding and picking up the slack of other duties and chores along with Hank, Rafe, and Max. Cash was back to work with a new batch of dude ranchers, and Chloe had bed-and-breakfast guests. Jade wanted the move to happen, too, so they had agreed to hire a moving company.
She’d used Chase’s phone to call Katy, who had been thrilled to hear she was safe. Katy had contacted Jade’s upcoming clients, saying quite candidly she was enjoying a well-deserved vacation after a solid year of no time off. Jade knew this was the best time of year to be away from work as many children took the summer off from therapy. She would be busy again come fall. At that point, Katy had reported no one had seen the Spatafore brothers for days. But Margo had been in the office stating they were attending to much-needed home repairs.
Jade had also used Chase’s cell to call Dr. Cole. They had since picked up her prescription in the pharmacy at the drugstore where they’d stopped for the ibuprofen. She’d also purchased some panties, which Chase threatened to hide from her.
Jade’s phone rang as Jubilee and Valor trotted side by side. They slowed the horses to a walk as Jade pulled her cell out of her back pocket. Chase raised a concerned brow, and Jade mouthed Katy’s name. She listened intently as Katy spoke. She thanked Katy, said she’d be in contact again soon, and hung up.
“What did she say?” Chase asked, the stables coming into view in the distance.
“Katy thinks the home repairs might be the least of the Spatafores’ worries. One of the senior therapists told her that Mateo may be in trouble.”
“For what?”
“Hypnotizing twenty-year-old twins without their consent and having a threesome with them in an undisclosed location.” Jade shook her head in shock. “Apparently, when he was busy with one, the other one filmed it. But neither twin remembered it until they saw the video after he had dropped them off at the rescue mission where he does charity work. Unfortunately, someone at the shelter stole their phone, so it’s their word against his.”
“Both those bastards should be in prison,” Chase growled.
“I agree.” Jade nodded. “Margo left the office after hearing the news, so Katy took the opportunity to pack up my personal effects and books. She sneaked the boxes out to her car.”
“Katy is a good friend.”
“Yes, she is.”
“But she may have put herself at risk with the Spatafores.”
