“Stay right there,” I clipped out.
Armstrong eyed me, then nodded. “Goodyear has lost his mind. He was ranting about being hunted, and dead mercs in Mexico, and women that were going to get him in trouble.”
I stiffened, and Lili leaned into me.
“Goodyear killed Bronco and Gloria, Dad. And he’s trafficking innocent women. He kidnapped my friend Ava-Jane. Bronco’s daughter. He’s forcing her to go to parties and do…things.”
“Fuck,” Armstrong breathed, before turning his head to look at the ground.
I watched his face carefully. “You know something.”
Lili’s dad released a breath. “Goodyear was yelling a lot. He mentioned cleaning up. I heard him plan to send his guys here, and he talked about getting rid of the women. So they can’t be used against him.”
Lili’s fingers dug into my arm. “No.”
“Shit,” Nash muttered.
“You know where he’s keeping them, Armstrong?” I demanded.
“No.” He swallowed. “But he said he was going to his ranch to deal with some business.”
“Ranch?” I asked.
“The ranch came up in our searches,” Nash said. “A horse ranch north of the city, near Kyle Canyon. Not much there, and we didn’t think he’d keep women there.”
“We need to go,” Lili said urgently. “Now!”
“You are not coming.” No way in hell was I letting her anywhere near Goodyear.
She lifted her chin. “There’s no time to drop me off, and I’mnotstaying here. I’ll stay in the vehicle.”
I cursed.
“Cole, we’re wasting time,” Nash murmured.
Time Ava-Jane and the other women might not have. I glanced at the others. “I have weapons here. Let’s gear up and move out.”
I climbed out of the Range Rover, a cool breeze cutting through my shirt.
The Canyon Valley Ranch was in the foothills north of the city, so the temperatures here were much cooler than in the city.
I opened the back door of the SUV. Lili sat there, watching me with a worried face.
I leaned in and kissed her. Hard. “Stay in the vehicle.”
She nodded and gripped my hand. “Be safe.” Her gaze lingered on my now bandaged arm. Landon had dealt with it on the ride here.
“I’ll bring Ava-Jane home.” I closed the door. The Range Rover was parked half a mile from Goodyear’s ranch house.
Here, the landscape was still brown desert, but the mountains were closer. Scrubby growth covered the sandy ground. The long, dusty driveaway led to where the main ranch buildings were located.
I glanced at the others. Bastian and Nash were talking quietly. Rafe and Alessio were checking their weapons. Landon was staring out towards the mountains.
He’d taken down several of Goodyear’s guards. For me and Lili. He made it a habit not to kill anymore, but when I’d needed him, he was there. No questions asked.
We were all geared up and ready to move. Damn, I hated leaving Lili here alone.
“Let’s end this.”
