Page 26 of Ranger Devotion

Tate knew. In his gut, he just knew. “To get him alone.”

Brooke inhaled sharply.

“He’s separating us,” Tate continued. There was no point in sugarcoating things. Both Brooke and Evan had to be on high alert. Everyone did. “Caleb. Me. Evan. He wants to create chaos, so there’s no way to know when or where he’ll strike.” He let that settle. “From this moment on, nobody acts on a text. Anything important gets confirmed by voice or face to face. No exceptions.”

Their lives depended on it.

THIRTEEN

Annie dabbed antibiotic ointment on her cheek. A shower and clean clothes had gone a long way toward making her feel normal again, but as she eyed her reflection, her fingertips drifted to her lips. She swore they still carried the feel of Tate’s kiss.

She forced her hand down. There were a million problems to deal with, starting with keeping everyone on her property safe from a ruthless killer. And yet she couldn’t stop thinking about Tate. Kissing him had been insanity. A mistake.

Straight-A rebel. Tate’s nickname for her was more spot-on than Annie wanted to give him credit for. Most of the time she played it straight. But sometimes courage required calculated risks, and she threw out the rule book. Like running into a burning cabin to save him. Or leaving her old life behind and starting Haven Ranch.

But kissing Tate…she hadn’t thought it through. No, it’d been born of attraction and adrenaline and, if she was being honest with herself, curiosity. At seventeen, she’d dreamed of kissing Tate more times than she’d ever admit. But nothing could have prepared her for the reality. It’d been better than anything in her imagination.

And that terrified her.

Annie shook her head. No, she wouldn’t go down this road. It wasn’t serious. A couple of shared life-and-death experiences and an apology didn’t mean he was trustworthy. After the reunion was over and the case was solved, they’d go their separate ways.

A moment. That’s all the kiss had been. A toe-curling, unforgettable moment, but still…just a moment.

One that wouldn’t be repeated.

She hung up her towel and gathered her soot-stained clothes into a trash bag and left the bathroom. Her office, near the infirmary in the main lodge, was quiet. She was tempted to stretch out on the old leather couch in the corner and catch a nap—the adrenaline crash was hitting her hard—but there was no time.

A knock jerked her attention. She crossed the room and opened the door. Dwayne stood in the hallway, Bud next to him. They both looked exhausted and mud-splattered.

“I lost him.” Dwayne scowled. “The rain covered his tracks. But I think you’re right. You shot him. Or winged him, at least. I found blood in the area he was shooting from.”

“How much blood?” Annie gave Bud a scratch behind the ears. His fur was damp from the rain. The dog leaned into her hand.

“Enough to hurt. Not enough to be serious.”

Still, it was something. An injury could help identify the perpetrator. “Have you checked the unused cabins since the storm began?”

“Yep. They’re all clear.”

Annie took no comfort in his reply. It would’ve been a lot easier for everyone involved if the killer was an outsider who’d snuck onto the ranch.

“I don’t want you going anywhere on the property by yourself.” Dwayne didn’t lose his trademark scowl. His bushy eyebrows drew together in a thick line. Maybe it was the lighting, or he was simply exhausted from traipsing through the woods, but he appeared older than he had yesterday. “I especially don’t want you running into burning cabins or tangling with gun-toting killers. Next time something like that happens, you wait for me. I’ll handle it.”

Annie appreciated Dwayne’s protective nature, but she didn’t take kindly to being ordered about. “If I’d waited, Tate would be dead now.” She stopped scratching Bud to place a hand on Dwayne’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’m a former cop, remember? I used to tangle with gun-toting criminals on a daily basis.”

His expression softened. “That was a different life.”

He had a point. Annie wasn’t sure what aspect of this crime bothered her more: Kayla’s murder, the constant attacks, or the idea that the perpetrator was someone she’d grown up with. The emotional barriers she’d created in the police academy had weakened under the starry Texas skies and amid the rolling hills. Peaceful, simple, quiet…that was her life now. The last twenty-four hours had been a stark reminder of the reasons she’d left law enforcement.

“I promise to be careful.” Annie offered her property manager a reassuring smile. “And I have Tate watching my back.”

Dwayne grunted, as if he didn’t quite trust the Texas Ranger to keep her safe. Annie didn’t bother digging into his reasons. Dwayne had his virtues, but he didn’t take to new people easily and was distrustful of most.

“Why don’t you and Bud head into the kitchen for something to eat?” Annie stepped into the hall and shut her office door, making sure it was locked. Her gun safe, along with business paperwork and bank records, was inside. “You both look like you could use a hot meal.”

Dwayne nodded. “You’ll keep me updated on anything you find out.”

“Yes.” Annie hesitated. “Wait. Did you text Evan and ask him to check the far side of the property?”