Page 129 of Rangers Last Promise

His eyes find mine immediately.

“You stay here.”

I stare at him.

Tate mutters, “Here we go.”

“I thought we settled this.”

“We did.”

“Apparently not.”

“I'm walking into the building Hampton chose.”

“With half the county surrounding it.”

“That doesn't make it safe.”

“Nothing about today has been safe.”

His jaw tightens.

I step closer.

“You protect me. I protect you. Remember?”

“I remember.”

“Good.”

“That doesn't mean you walk into the barn.”

“I didn't say I was.”

That surprises him.

“You didn't?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because unlike some people, I occasionally listen to my sheriff.”

Tate makes a pleased sound.

I point at him without looking away from Doc.

“Don't ruin this.”

Doc almost smiles.

Then I lower my voice.

“But if anything goes wrong, I'm coming.”

“Mara—”