He shook his head. “No need. I called him already.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “Does he know about Scott?”
He sighed and when I opened my eyes, he nodded. “He was a good friend of your father’s, just like I am. George and I go way back, Miss Rivers. And with everything that’s happened, I have a solution to keep you safe. Now follow me. We have a long night ahead of us.”
“You’re moving me where?” I gasped, shooting to my feet. Robert sat back in his chair while I paced his office.
Before he could respond, my father spoke up first, his deep voice resonating out of the telephone speaker. “I’m sorry, pumpkin. I know this isn’t want you want, but we have to keep you safe, at all costs.”
“I understand the concern, but why do I have to go all the way to Wyoming? Why can’t I stay in California, somewhere closer to home?”
“Because,” Robert interrupted, drawing my attention, “we need you in a safe place; where no one will recognize you, and no one would look for you. Even your father isn’t going to know exactly where you’re going.” He leaned forward, his gaze serious. “With that being said, no one can know of your location, not even your friends. Understand? You will be going dark until we catch this bastard.”
My gut clenched and I nodded, tears springing to my eyes at the thought of not seeing Nick, or going to Scott’s funeral. My mind shifted to Scott’s family, and the pain they’d be going through. I wouldn’t be around to tell them how sorry I was. Then there was Nick, who was going to be fighting for his life without me to help him through. He’d always been there for me, and now I’d be leaving him in his greatest hour of need.
My dad sighed and the sound startled me. “Not to mention, sweetheart, your tour will have to be put on hold.”
I gasped, I’d totally forgotten about my upcoming commitments across the country.
“There’s just no other way. Once word gets out to the media, your fans will understand. You’ll be too easy of a target if that bastard knows where to find you.”
Exhausted, I sat in the seat across from Robert. “When do I leave?”
“Tomorrow morning, once all your papers go through. You’ll no longer be Hadley Rivers. We’ll have to give you a new identity.”
Nodding, I wiped at the tears sliding down my cheek. I would be abandoning everyone I cared about, while they dealt with my mess. “How long will I be gone?”
Robert shrugged. “Hard to say. Obviously, if we don’t have luck finding the cocksucker, we can’t keep you hidden forever. But you’ll just be putting yourself at risk if you come back too soon, and without a plan in place.”
“I understand.” I couldn’t stay away forever, and I definitely didn’t want to ever step foot in my house again. The memories were too powerful. I’d never be able to walk in my kitchen and not see Scott and Nick laying in pools of blood. “Where will I be staying tonight? I can’t go back home.”
“You’re coming with me,” Robert explained. “My wife already has the guest bedroom ready for you. Deputy Savage is at your house now, grabbing some of your things. It should be enough until you get to Wyoming.” He looked down at the phone and cleared his throat. “George, I think that about wraps it up. I’m going to step out so you two can talk.”
“Thanks, Robert. I appreciate you taking care of my daughter.”
“Anytime.” Robert grabbed his keys and stepped out of the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I picked up the phone and sat there; the enormity of the situation hitting me all at once.
“Hadley, you there?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m here. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up from this nightmare.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. It’s not your fault.”
“Does Scott’s family know?” I asked, swallowing hard. He didn’t have a wife or kids, but he still had parents and siblings who loved him.
The line grew quiet before he came back on. “Yes. They’re upset, but they knew the risks.”
“Will you please tell them I’m sorry?”
“Yes, pumpkin, I will. Now why don’t you go home with Robert and get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow.”
That was an understatement.
Blake
“I’m taking Nightshade out for a last minute ride. Is there anything else you need me to do before I go?” Tyla asked. She guided the black stallion out of the stall and hopped into the saddle.
Lifting my hat, I wiped the sweat off my brow. “Nah, you’re good. I have a new mare coming tomorrow. I’d like you to work with her as much as you can. The Wright’s couldn’t handle her, so they’re sending her to us.”
She snorted. “Us?”
“To you then, smart ass.” I chuckled. “Although, I have to say, I’m just about as good as you now.”
Grinning from ear to ear, she pulled her curly, blonde hair into a ponytail. “So you think. Everyone knows I’m the best.”
And she was. Tyla Rand was one of the most talented and hardest working women I’d ever met. She was around my age and wise beyond her years. I’d never seen anyone so experienced with horses. For the past year, she’d been coaching me on how to break them, just like my grandfather had done for a living. I wanted to live up to his legacy.
I scratched behind Nightshade’s ear and glanced up at her. “Go, before it gets too late. I’ll meet you and the guys at the bar.”
She winked. “Got it, boss. You might want to steer clear of Singleton though. I think he knows about you and Rayna. He was looking for you the other night.”
I scoffed. “He knows where to find me. Besides, I’m not scared of that twat. Rayna came onto me . . . I simply showed her what it was like to ride a real man.” Trent Singleton was an arrogant douche and rodeo cowboy, always causing trouble. I’d been waiting for the day I could kick his ass.
“Okay,” she laughed, “but if you fight him, make sure to do it outside the bar. Remember, I’m friends with the owners.”
I winked up at her. “You have nothing to worry about.”
She shook her head – clearly not believing me – and took off for the fields. “See ya tonight!” she shouted.
Inside the barn, my phone rang. I rushed in, recognizing the number on the screen. “I’ll be damned, if it isn’t Robert Wilson,” I answered.
Robert chuckled. “What’s up, Evans? You enjoying the cowboy life out there?”
I looked at my horses and the snow-capped mountains. Was I enjoying it? Hell yeah, I was. It was hard work, but I couldn’t imagine going back to my old life. “You have no idea. I never thought I’d enjoy riding horses and shoveling shit.”
“And that is something I never thought I’d hear you say. Have you taken on any missions since you’ve been out there?”
“A couple small tasks. Why, what’s up?”
He cleared his throat. “Just asking.”
“And why do I not believe that?”
The line went quiet for a second. “Because it’s a lie. I need a damn favor.”
“Thought so. I knew you wouldn’t call just to shoot the shit. What do you need?”
I sat down on a hay bale and kicked up my feet. The sun had started to go down behind the mountains, bringing in the cool, evening breeze. It was early May and the weather was perfect, not like back home where it was smoldering and humid.
He blew out a heavy sigh. “We had a suspect escape after a break in. He killed one and the other is in critical condition.”
I sat up and held the phone closer. “Any leads on where the suspect went?”
“Not yet. We’re working on it.”
“Do you need me to find him?”