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Dare heaved a breath and his face went serious, shuttered, emotionless, even the anger bled out of his expression. He was all do-or-die business. Eyes narrowed, jaw clenched, it was the most intimidating Haven had ever seen him look. She took a little comfort from it, because if anyone could handle this, Dare could.
Please, I can’t go back.
“And if I am interested?” Dare asked.
A small chuckle came through the line. “Then you’ll need to decide how interested you are. Because you’ve got forty-eight hours to beat the reward, or I send the redneck your way and collect the hundred K from him. Makes no difference to me. Though I suspect it does to you.”
“And how do I know he and his crew aren’t already on their way here?” Dare met Maverick’s gaze, and the other man gave him a tight nod. Haven was quite possibly going to lose the dinner she’d just eaten.
“Because I’m telling you they’re not. The deal on Monday went smooth and we did what we said we would. I’d hope that would buy me a little good faith.”
“That would be easier if you weren’t blackmailing me for six figures,” Dare bit out.
“This isn’t blackmail. This is business. We need cash. We have two sources to get it. Which one is entirely up to you,” Dominic said.
Dare didn’t flinch. “Fine. Make it seventy-two hours. I can’t pull that kind of cash together in forty-eight.”
Haven wrapped an arm around her stomach. Dare was going to have to pay a hundred thousand dollars for her freedom? On top of everything else he’d done and was doing to set up their new lives? The room spun around her.
“You’ll need to make that extra day worth my while,” Dominic said. “We’re not the only one chasing down these skirts. Time is not on your side.”
“Done. I’ll have it by twelve noon on Saturday. You can name the drop spot,” Dare said.
“That’s a plan I can live with. Talk to you Friday with the details. Dare.” The phone went dead.
Dare threw Phoenix’s cell to the table in a clatter. He shoved up out of his chair, the legs screeching against the floor, and braced his hands on the table. And then he rose to his full height and scanned his gaze over the Ravens.
“Threat level is officially critical. Maverick, get everyone in and assign guard duty at all the usual locations. Everyone needs to ride hot.” Nods all around the room. “Jagger, head down to the sheriff’s office and share the intel on Randall, his crew, and their vehicle information. Tell them we’ve got protectees in imminent danger. Martin owes us for what went down with his niece, so I don’t see any issue getting them on board.”
As Jagger nodded, Haven was torn between terror and solace at Dare’s calm, calculating command of the situation.
“Caine,” Dare continued, “we need that documentation and the relocation arrangements in place by Friday.” Friday? She’d have to leave on Friday?
“Shit, Dare,” the guy said, stone-cold rage in his voice. “Monday was already pushing it.”
“Do or pay whatever the fuck you have to.” Dare raised an eyebrow.
“I hear you,” Caine said with a nod.
“Want me to call in the Brothers’ help for Friday?” Phoenix asked, though who he was referring to, Haven didn’t know. What she did know was how much trouble they were going to. For her.
“Was thinking the same thing,” Jagger said. “We need to be prepared for anything. More boots on the ground will help.”
Dare nodded. “Good thinking. Do it.”
Haven hung on every word, just trying to wrap her head around everything that was happening. Dare hadn’t looked at her once, and all she could think was what an utter pain in the ass she’d become for him . . . and for all of the Ravens. “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” she forced herself to say. “To any of you. I’ll just go tonight. If you could loan me bus money, I’ll just go wherever the next bus heading far away takes me.”
Dare finally looked at her, his gaze so hot she was surprised it didn’t scorch her clothes. “The plan stays the same, just accelerated. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
Nods all around the room, which was when Haven noticed that every man there was looking at her with a fierce protectiveness in his eyes. She didn’t see an ounce of irritation directed her way, and it made her heart feel too big for her chest. Finally, she gave a small nod.
“Church will meet at nine o’clock tomorrow morning,” Dare said, looking at Maverick. “Spread the word.”
“Will do,” Maverick said.
“Good, then get to it.” Dare’s words sent the room into a flurry of motion. Jagger and Phoenix asked Dare questions, while Maverick gathered a group of guys in the corner, their heads bent together as he spoke. Caine stalked out of the room, his cell pressed to his ear. Haven thought she might be having an out-of-body experience, because though she was in the room, she felt apart from it, like she was floating somewhere and watching the whole thing from afar.
