“Under control? Dale, this is our dad we’re talking about,” Cas stated unnecessarily. “Plus, they’re screwing with my horse.”
The guy hadn’t seen his horse in nearly sixteen years. But Dale knew his brother had formed a deep bond with Triton the three years Cas had owned him before leaving for basic training after graduating high school, two years before Dale.
“I know,” he replied, retrieving his ankle holster and gun from the top of the nightstand, then securing it in place. “Look, both Dad and the horses are safe, and we’re handling it. I need you to trust me on this. We’re doing everything we can to find out who’s behind this, and we’ll take care of it. You don’t need to jeopardize your position. I just wanted you to be aware of what was going on.”
There was a long pause, and Sadie, who had just come out of the bathroom completely dressed, walked over to Dale. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “I’m putting coffee on,” she whispered, giving him a gentle smile before heading downstairs.
Dale watched her go, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “Cas, I promise you, I’ll keep him safe. You just focus on what you need to do.”
Caspian exhaled slowly. “All right,” he said, the fight slowly draining from his voice. “But if anything changes, I want to know immediately.”
“You will,” Dale assured him.
“So, was that the Sadie from the truck incident you mentioned that I just heard?” Cas asked, curiosity and amusement lightening his tone.
Damn guy always had the best hearing.
Dale scratched his temple. “Yes. She lives next to Dad in town, but has no security system. Yet.”
“Ah, so you were her security last night.” Cas chuckled. “Hope you brought protection to your protection detail.”
Swallowing a curse, Dale quickly took the phone off speaker and pressed it to his ear, hoping she hadn’t heard that downstairs. “Jesus, Cas, really?”
His brother chuckled again. “Hey, isn’t she that cutie who used to make puppy dog eyes at you at Connor’s corral?”
Damn guy also had good recall. Of course, it was an operator’s necessity.
“Yes, she is,” he reluctantly replied, not in the mood for his brother’s teasing. “She’s been taking care of the horses and Dad’s dog.”
Shit.
“Sadie, don’t let the dog out,” he called down, his heart rocking as he raced shirtless down the stairs. Relief rushed through him when Ranger bounded over to him.
Thank God.
He didn’t want her stepping foot outside without protection.
“I didn’t,” she called out from the kitchen. “But you’d better, because he needs to do his business.”
Cas chuckled again. “On that note, I’ll let you go take care ofbusiness.”
Dale smiled at the poor joke. “Thanks.”
“I’ll let you know if I’m shipping out again. Just keep me informed,” Cas said.
Exactly what he’d been trying to do. “Of course,” he stated. “Give Dad a call. He’ll want to hear from you.”
“Roger that,” his brother said. “And Dale? Take care of Sadie.”
A smile twitched at Dale’s lips. “I will, Cas. I will.”
He was still smiling when the call ended, and he bent down to retrieve his shirt off the floor where it had fallen from his grasp last night.
Sadie’s proposition had knocked him off-kilter, and even though he definitely shouldn’t have taken her up on it until this mystery was solved, Dale didn’t regret one wild, hot, incredible minute of it.
He did, however, regret not picking up his shirt first. Several long pieces of gray hair were plastered on the now wrinkled clothing. Apparently, Tesla had used it as a bed last night.
After shaking it out, he slipped the shirt back on. He hadn’t thought to grab a change of clothes while Mac and Coop were around yesterday. It wasn’t important, though. He’d go to his dad’s and change later when the guys were here. They were due to arrive soon, anyway.
