Page 64 of Glacier

Me: Okay, baby. Sleep well.

It took me another hour to get all the guns loaded into the hidden compartment on the truck. By the time I was done, I was exhausted and aching. This was usually a two-person job.

I ate some of the food I’d picked up when I stocked up for Dad and Fin, forcing it down more for energy than anything else.

Finally, I was ready to leave. If traffic was good, I’d be back in Bitterthorn before eight.

Climbing into the cab, I messaged Fin and Glacier to let them know I was on my way back to Bitterthorn like I’d promised and would keep them updated.

The drive back home was smooth. Until it wasn’t.

About ten miles from Bitterthorn, my stomach dropped. Flashing lights glowed up ahead. It dropped even further when a sheriff’s vehicle pulled across the road in front of me, blocking my path and leaving me no choice but to stop.

Another cruiser rolled past and parked behind me, boxing me in.

“Fuck,” I whispered.

Sixteen years. That’s how long we’d managed to stay under the radar. And just like that, it was all over.

Sweat beaded along my upper lip. My hands were shaking, clammy against the wheel. Nausea rolled through me.

I had to keep it together.

I jumped at the knock on the window. I lowered it and stared into the dark eyes of the Sheriff of Bitterthorn. His phone was pressed to his ear.

Shock ran through me when he spoke to me as if he knew me.

“Juju, I’m Jude Harris, Sheriff of Bitterthorn. We don’t have a lot of time. Speak to Glacier, so he can reassure you I’m a friend.” He handed me the phone.

My stomach was in knots as I took it.

“Fuck, Ju, darlin’.” Glacier sounded panicked. “I can’t explain everything, but you need to do whatever Jude tells you. He’ll look after you until I can get to you. He’s a friend, as close to me as Lawless and Lurch. He’s got Abel and Zeke with him. You can trust them all. Do whatever they say.”

“Okay,” I whispered, meeting Jude’s eyes. “I’ll do what he says.”

“I’ll explain when I get home, baby, I promise. I love you. I’m about an hour away. We’re moving as fast as we can.”

I swallowed and cleared my throat, sitting a little straighter as the fear eased. I was strong. He didn’t need to worry about me.

“I’ll be fine. You ride safe and get here in one piece. That’s all I need.”

“Will do, darlin’. See you soon.”

He ended the call, and I handed the phone back to Jude. “What do you need from me?”

He opened my door and helped me down. “ATF is on their way. We need to get rid of the guns.”

“Okay.” I steadied myself. “How?”

“We’ve got a friend coming with a vehicle we can load them into. He’ll take them to the ranch.”

“Glacier didn’t mention anyone else.” I narrowed my eyes as suspicion crept in.

Jude chuckled softly. “Trust me. Micah is well known to Glacier.”

I decided to take him at his word. It wasn’t as if I had much choice.

I was surprised and shocked when I got my first glimpse of the man stepping out the truck pulling a horse trailer. The resemblance to Glacier was unmistakable. Same build, same way of moving, same colouring.