Page 17 of Ferocious Protector

“I’m heading back to the house.” I gesture around the club. “This move they just made. Nothing I haven’t seen a ton of times, different place, but same play. Patti Ann got a text from Tucker basically telling her he’s heading her way while we’re babysitting bikers. You stay here and cover this mess. I’m going to let Beckett and the others at the house know and then head back and make sure they don’t get to those ladies.”

Damian’s thoughtful for a moment but he doesn’t second guess me, not that I’d listen if he did. He flips me the keys to the SUV. “Take the keys and keep us posted. We’ve got things covered here until Tommy and his boys get here.”

16

Patti

A text from Blake makes me feel better. I know Beckett’s on point and he and Blake have the same skills and background but still, I’ll feel a hell of a lot better when I know Blake is back.

Lacy paces after she reads the text aloud for everyone. “There’s no way they’re getting through Beckett, Garrett and Cole.” Then she paces some more. “I swear, every year they come at us harder than the last though. They wanted my house and when I wouldn’t give that up, they were not happy, and Eldridge, I swear it’s his ego that runs his actions and nothing else. He’s not going to be happy until I’m miserable.”

I don’t tell them, but that’s what scares me the most. These guys year after year keep coming and they may be working for the Chicago boys trying to take territory from the Larussios but part of what’s driving them is personal, and now Tucker is playing their game.

My phone rings and I answer it the minute I see Blake’s name come up. “You okay?”

“Yes, we’re still downstairs, and Cole and Garrett are still outside. They’ve been keeping in contact with Krissy and Lacy.”

“Alright, I’m on my way back. I’m going to take up point. I don’t mean to scare you, but I think the real attack is coming to the house. Lucky for us, what was going to be an ambush and a surprise by the Chicago boys probably just got fucked up by Tucker’s ego.”

“Okay, tell me what you want us to do.”

“I don’t want you to do anything but stay put. Do not leave that basement, for anything. You have the weapons we left you. You know how to use a gun, Patti Ann?”

My hands sweat with even the thought. “Never held one in my life. Lacy and the others, they’re hell of good shots. Lacy grew up with a rifle in her hand.”

“Good. Stay by them, you have them show you the basics real quick. You don’t need to use it to keep the enemy at bay.”

I walk to the other end of the basement, around the corner where the freezer and the refrigerator are to have a little privacy. “You okay?” I ask.

“I’ll be a hell of a lot better when this mess is done and I’ve got you in my arms for that dance you owe me.”

“Me too,” I whisper. “Stay safe.”

“Don’t you worry about me. You do what I asked, understand?”

“Okay but keep in contact?”

“Of course.”

I disconnect and immediately miss the connection with Blake. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Why I’m letting this man who is going to be in my life for such a short time get under my skin so fast and deep escapes the hell out of me.

The ladies look up at me from the sofa covered with a cartoon print and a multitude of stuffies in front of a big screen as I walk back into the room. “Blake wants you to show me the basics of holding and using a gun.”

Lacy narrows her eyes at me. “He does?”

“Uh-huh. Says I don’t need to know how to shoot to keep the enemy at bay.”

She observes me for a minute. “True but did you tell him you don’t have to worry about it with us down here. Tell him that I won rifle shot four years in a row?”

I grin. “No, I most certainly did not mention all your rifle skills when I’m as inadequate as hell. Show me how to at least hold the damn thing,” I say.

She stands as the other ladies watch with a mixture of emotion. It’s not every day that we have to talk about guns to protect ourselves. “Come on,” Lacy says.

17

Blake

The minute I’m close enough, I park the SUV and cover it with brush opting to hike into the trails instead of drawing attention to the fact that Beckett and I are out here. I give him a text to let him know I’m joining him and then make my way through the forest and undergrowth to get to the place I know he’s going to be.