“Roger that.” He nodded.
Sadie offered a small, appreciative smile to the group. “Thank you, all of you. I know this isn’t easy, but it feels like the right move.”
Dale agreed, but he also knew moving a target from one location to another was the best time for an attempt. But there was no way in hell, he was going to let anything happen to Sadie.
Chapter Twenty-Two
An hour and a half later, Sadie stood in the ranch’s kitchen, her hands busy chopping vegetables, but her mind was elsewhere. The tension in the air was palpable, thickening with each passing minute. She was on edge, every small noise making her jump.
When they’d first arrived, Gabe had greeted them, pulling Dale aside for a chat, but Cooper and Mac had ushered her into the house, so she hadn’t heard their conversation.
Wasn’t sure she wanted to, anyway.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the countertops, but there was no comfort in its warmth today. According to Sam, the ranch had always been a place of peace, of quiet solitude, and she’d experienced the same on the couple of visits she’d made out here to help Sam pack. But now, the ranch felt like a fortress under siege.
Dale was beside her, his presence solid and reassuring as always. Under different circumstances, the gun and shoulder holster strapped to him would’ve turned her on, big time, but right now, it just hammered in the fact that their situation wasbig timedangerous.
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch warm through the fabric of her shirt. “We’re going to get through this,” he said softly, his voice carrying the conviction she so desperately needed. “We’ve got the best team here with us. You’re safe.”
Sadie nodded, trying to force a smile, but the tightness in her chest wouldn’t ease. She knew Dale was right—they had done everything they could to protect themselves and the people they cared about. But the uncertainty, the waiting, were wearing her down.
“I just want this to be over,” she murmured, her hands slowing as she sliced through a bell pepper. “I hate feeling like I’m putting everyone in danger. Like my being here is a risk to all of you. Especially to you. I’m more worried about you than me.”
Dale turned her to face him, his gaze full of warmth and confidence. “Sadie, listen to me. This isn’t your fault. We’re all here because we want to be. Because we care about you and each other. We’re a team, and we’re going to handle whatever comes our way. We’ve got this.”
She knew that. She’d heard it from him before, but God, she was worried. Her heart squeezed so tightly she could barely breathe. Sadie couldn’t bear it if something happened to him. Inhaling, she let his words sink in. Dale’s confidence was like a lifeline, pulling her back from the edge of panic.
“You’re right,” she said, finally allowing herself a small, genuine smile. “We’ve got this.”
But even as she said the words, a part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something big.
Pushing it aside, she lifted up to press her lips to his, needing the distraction, as well as the grounding she felt in his arms. He kissed her back, but they both seemed to be leashing their control, because they weren’t even breathing hard when they drew apart.
“The coffee is ready,” she said, nodding toward the pot that had just finished gurgling. “I’ll take it into the guys. I’m sure they’re ready for some.”
He smiled. “Yes, staying caffeinated is a must. Let me help.”
She set the loaded carafe onto the hot pad she’d already placed in the center of a small tray. There wasn’t room for the mugs. “You can take the tray. I’ll bring these,” she said, holding up the white mugs.
As Sadie followed Dale through the house in which he’d grown up, she had no trouble imagining a younger version ofhim playing in the rooms, running down the stairs in time for a meal, doing homework at the kitchen table, or drinking hot cocoa in front of the large stone fireplace in the den they just entered. Her spirits lifted a little, and her lips even twitched.
Her half smile was still there when she walked toward Mac and Cooper gathered around the monitors they’d set up, their eyes glued to the screens as they watched the feeds from the security cameras placed around the ranch.
RJ and Dean were currently hunkered down somewhere outside, as well as Sinjin and Hunter. The property was well-fortified, with cameras covering every angle, every possible point of entry. They were ready for anything. At least, she hoped.
“Coffee’s done,” Dale stated, setting the tray in an empty spot on the table between the two men.
She set the mugs next to it. “This should hold you over until dinner.”
“Thanks,” Cooper said, already pouring himself a mug.
Mac nodded but remained at his post. Frowning, he leaned forward, squinting at one of the monitors. “Got something,” he said as a sharp tone sounded through the room as a red square with “Alert” on it flashed on a screen. “Four heat signatures in the woods, southeast side. Not Sinjin or Hunter.”
Sadie stiffened, and her heart lurched.
“Cooper, text them to check it out,” Mac instructed, his voice calm but with an edge of urgency.
Cooper quickly tapped out a message to the two agents patrolling the grounds. Not even ten seconds later, another alert flashed on the screen.
