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It was time to tell her everything—or as much as she knew.
Beth whistled once Ariel explained what had happened. “I had no idea there were gambling cartels.”
“I had never heard of them either,” Ariel said.
“Does this mean you’ll have to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life?”
“I hope not. I guess it depends on whether this Paul Franklin cares enough about his workers.”
“Let’s hope he doesn't.”
A car door slammed shut. “I bet that’s Benson and Preston.”
Ariel rushed to the window and looked out. It was them. Relief rushed through her until they walked through the door. Preston’s cheek looked as if a dog had taken a bite out of his face. His right eye and lip were swollen, and he was limping.
Ariel rushed up to them. She wanted to hug both of them, but she feared she might hurt them. “Oh my god. You weren’t kidding when you said you were in a fight. Sit down and let me get you something to drink. A beer maybe?”
Preston nodded and limped over to the sofa. She checked out Benson. His face was only slightly injured, but from the way he wasn’t standing up straight, he might be wounded too.
“Get me one too. Please,” Benson said.
Beth stepped up to Ariel. “I think you have your hands full. I’m going to go.”
Ariel hugged her. “You’re the best. Thanks for being my sounding board.”
“Any time.”
“Text me when you get home. I still worry,” Ariel said.
“I will.”
Once Beth left, Ariel grabbed two beers and handed each of them one. “Tell me everything.”
Benson and Preston looked at each other. She spotted a few nods and one slight head shake. It was quite strange.
“We have something to tell you,” Benson said.
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll start with the fact that Preston and I were practicing in the barn with Liam and Alex, discussing strategies in case more than one man attacked us, when Hammer Schmidt showed up at the barn with five other men.”
“How did he know you were there? Were Hammer and his men tailing you two?"
“I don’t know. Preston went out to ask them what they wanted while I called my uncle and texted my two brothers. I thought we might need their help.”
She liked that they were cautious.
Preston leaned forward to set his beer on the coffee table, and his hand shook so much, the bottle teetered before it steadied.
“Preston, are you okay?”
He looked over at Benson and then stood. “I need to lie down. I’m not feeling well.”
Ariel had never seen Preston this weak before. Ever. “Can I help in some way? I’m not a nurse, but I treat wounded animals.”
Preston grunted. He took two steps, dropped to his knees, and fell face forward. A mirage appeared before her eyes. Instead of Preston, a wolf was in his place.
Ariel blinked a few times, but the figure was not human. She looked over at Benson. “Did you see that?”
