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My stomach sinks. He knows as well as I do this was never going to be plain sailing. We only ever say this when shit goes south.
“I love you too, Dom,” I say, then cut the call and hand it back to Colt.
Just as his ranch house comes into view, Hunter is already jogging down the steps, looking stressed to the heavens. “Colt, we gotta go. Jett’s warehouse down in Red Creek is on fucking fire.”
The rest of the guys arrive behind us, including Jett.
“Jett, your warehouse is on fire,” Colt tells him.
“Damn. I thought today was going to be a good one,” Jett mutters, kicking the dirt. Then he’s off, following behind Hunter to the truck.
“Ace, you wait here with the girls. Get Xander and the ranch hands securing the property,” Colt orders.
Ace doesn’t need telling twice. He’s already moving with precision. When it comes to protecting Harper, there isn’t anything that man won't do. I imagine Colt would be exactly the same if it came to me.
“You better not be suggesting I stay here,” I tell Colt.
He tips my chin, taking in a breath. “Do I look like I have a death wish today?”
He moves toward his truck, and Tate jogs toward us. His silver chain swinging around his neck.
Jumping into Colt’s truck, the engine roars to life. “Red Creek is where Levi was setting up shop. That’s where the Greeks were. It’s a hot spot for criminals,” Colt tells me.
“Yeah. I heard.”
“What if they wanted to lure you away from me? What if they’re making a move on the ranch?” I ask.
Colt shakes his head. “We’ve got enough manpower surrounding this and the Lawson Ranch for them to know that’s a suicide mission.”
“You know Levi’s club; they aren’t the brightest bunch? That might be their dumb plan.”
“Then let them come. I need you beside me. Always,” he tells me, linking his fingers through mine.
We drive in silence. The Twisted Serpents are never going to believe Levi had a damn heart attack. But I don’t think they’re the ones after me. I think Levi was paid to help whoever is really behind this.
It’s not the Greeks. The only option I can think of is a rival Italian family. If they got word my father is gone, they could make a play.
“What do you keep in the warehouse?” I ask, watching the world pass by through the window.
“Drugs mainly. It’s more of an overflow center; they’d be the next batch out to Mikhail,” Colt answers.
“Why don’t you store them on the ranch?”
I’m already making a plan to streamline their process; that’s what I’m good at. Logistics.
“We ain’t storing that much; we’d get life in jail. The warehouse is run through Enzo's shell company. It don’t link to us. If it gets found, it could be anyone's."
“How much street value?”
His jaw twitches. “More than what the ranch turns over in five years, probably.”
Great. I get accepted into the organization, and the first thing that happens is I end up costing them a ton of money. I know deep down this is because of me.
“I’ll pay you back,” I say.
“I don’t need the damn money back, G. I could have nothing but my horses and a bit of land, and I’d be happy.”
“Oh.” I can’t hide the disappointment. It’s like I’ve been thrown on an emotional rollercoaster since I married Colt, and I’m not sure what the hell is going on. Before him, it was easy; I was either stressed, furious, or numb. And now? I feel joy. Happiness. Jealousy? All this stuff I’ve repressed since childhood, and I don’t know how to function with them.
