My friends all nodded.
We broke into a jog. We moved into an easy formation, matching each other’s paces. For a second, I felt like I was back with Delta Team—my brothers flanking me as we moved in on a mission.
I miss you guys.
Now, I’m finally going to avenge you.
We cleared a fence. My boots sank into the sandy soil. There was a harsh beauty to the area around here, the mountains sparse but stunning. It was a tough landscape, but it still had a certain beauty.
Not as beautiful as Lili, though.
I fought a smile, and thought of Brent, Austin, and Gus. Damn, they’d love her. They’d call me a lucky bastard for snagging her. They’d tell me that she was too good for me, but that I deserve something so sweet.
Shaking my head, I focused ahead. Right now, I needed to bring her friend home safely.
The ranch buildings came into view. There were several fenced in yards for the horses, a metal barn, several outbuildings. And a ramshackle, southwestern style house. It had dusty cream walls and a terracotta-tiled roof.
I only saw one vehicle. A late-model BMW parked by the house.
“No guards,” Nash murmured. “The BMW is one of Goodyear’s.”
“Let’s get to the main house and—” I smelled something and sniffed the air.
Smoke.
“Fuck, something’s burning,” Landon muttered.
I broke into a run. The others cursed and followed me.
Several horses in one of the yards spotted us and pranced closer to the fence. The ranch house was dead ahead.
Fuck.
It was on fire.
I saw the flames spearing into the air.
And that’s when I heard women screaming.
CHAPTER 25
LILI
Ifiddled with my hands.
Waiting sucked. I wanted this over. I wanted Ava-Jane safe. I wanted Goodyear stopped.
And my father had come to check on me. Maybe he did care.
I shook my head. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. But I knew whoshowedme with his actions that he cared.
Cole.
I glanced out the window toward the ranch. My chest felt tight, like it was squeezed by a hard band.
Please be okay, Cole.
That’s when I noticed a dark smudge in the distance. I narrowed my gaze, staring out the window.
