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There was a moment of quiet over the line that let Dare know Taggart was trying to figure out how to handle him. “Because Oakley is going to kill her either way. That fuckwit she almost married needs her dead, too. He doesn’t know Zach was alive when he left him. Chet is counting on Oakley killing Tasha and then Charlie killing Oakley. Those are the dominos he needs to fall if his plan is going to work.”
That was a gut punch. Of course finding out Chet had anything at all to do with it had been another. The man had claimed to love her, had planned to marry her, and he was going to kill her? Who could kill his sweet, strong, and loyal Tash? Who couldn’t love her? “He promised he would let her go. Oakley doesn’t know who she is. Why not let her go? Can’t he override Chet?”
“He needs her dead, too, whether or not he knows she’s Agency. I would bet no. Chet needs Oakley in the dark or he might be more careful than Chet wants him to be. Look, Oakley is playing a dangerous game. He’s counting on a couple of things. What he wants from your father is highly illegal and would damage both their reputations if it came out,” Taggart explained.
“So my father won’t talk.” Dare got that. “And he thinks my father will have enough control of me that I won’t. But Tasha is the wild card.”
“And he’s going to burn her,” Taggart concluded. “I’ll be surprised if she shows at all, to tell you the truth. Lucky for us we had Lou and Kala already out here. They’re searching the whole property for her. It makes sense that he would have her somewhere close. I have to hope he’s kept her alive so he can at least show you some proof of life in order to get you to turn yourself in.”
He was going to be sick. Tasha was somewhere close, and he couldn’t do anything to help her. Not even turning himself in would change her fate. How many times had he had this feeling in the pit of his stomach? The one that told him he was useless, impotent to change the fate of the people he loved. He was one man, and he was so fucking alone.
He’d only felt that loneliness abate when he’d met her.
“Dare, I need you to hear me,” Taggart said. “Tasha is going to be okay. She’s smart and capable, and her sisters will not let her down. Her mother and I will not let her down. Say it. Say it out loud and make it happen.”
“I will not let Tasha down. Tasha will live through this, and we’ll be together and we’ll build a family and be happy.”
“Yes, you will. You will do those things and so much more.” There was nothing but steady confidence in Taggart’s tone. “Cooper and I are in place. We can see the helo pad, and there’s a pilot walking around doing a check.”
So they definitely meant to take him to another location. He had to pray Taggart was right and Tasha was still alive, that they had some kind of chance at saving her.
He wasn’t alone this time. This time he had a whole pack behind him, the wolves who welcomed him because he loved one of them.
“I love your daughter very much, sir, and I am asking your permission to marry her.” It was a stupid time to ask. Everything was on the line, but it felt right.
It felt like hope.
“I think you’ll find my Tasha doesn’t need permission, but you have my blessing and gratitude,” Taggart replied. “We’ll get through this. Stay calm and do everything I tell you. I can see you.”
He’d turned again, and he could see a big field and the helo pad in the distance. The woods he’d left the Taggarts in were across from him. Oakley would be between them. Charlotte was at the edge of the woods, up in a tree.
His future mother-in-law was a badass who’d shucked her designer shoes and hauled herself up a tree and settled in.
They wouldn’t let him down.
“How close should I get?” Up ahead he could see a big SUV coming over a hill. From the map he’d been sent and studied in the car, there were several structures on the property leading up to the main house, situated at the base of one of the mountains.
“Stop now. I want you away from that helo,” Taggart replied. “Walk about halfway between the car and the helo, and try to keep some distance between the two of you. I don’t see Tasha with them. Demand proof of life before you offer to hand over your weapon.”
He had a gun, a big one Taggart and Cooper had tried to show him how to use, but he was pretty sure all he’d gotten was how to click off the safety and pull the trigger. He had to stay calm. Tasha needed him.
