Chapter Eleven

To my disbelief, the FBI, ATF and Homeland Security took credit for catching Nargi. Their press release claimed it was a joint task force, but they failed to mention the Alpha Dogs and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office actually captured said terrorist. They also made no reference to Bowman's traitorous deeds.

The FBI, ATF and Homeland Security brought in their SWAT teams and bomb squads to raid Nargi's warehouses. All they found was a shitload of fireworks. No bombs or crates of weapons. Soleimani al-Haq demanded a lawyer and refused to answer the task force's questions. Give me five minutes with him and he'd talk.

To make matters worse, Ichabod was nowhere to be found. Was he dead? Or had he escaped? Nargi refused to say, but I needed to know, and I knew just the person to help me find out. Unfortunately, Julie and I were under house arrest until our injuries healed. Once Mom flew us to the refuge, I would lose the only chance I had to interrogate Nargi.

Cuddling with my guy on the couch was one of my favorite pastimes, but it was time to put my plan into action. I leaned over and gave Dante a long voracious kiss. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"What do you want?" Dante asked suspiciously.

I summoned my best lovesick expression. "Nothing. Can't I be affectionate?" I stroked his rock-hard abs.

Sprawled in the recliner with her Kindle, Julie snickered.

I gave her the side-eye.

"I know the way your mind works, Gemma." His hand covered mine.

I shrugged. "I just think it's time you met Grandpa Reynolds."

"The chicken wrangler?"

"That's him. He owns Reynold's Egg Ranch out by Buckeye. He has a hundred thousand cage-free hens, and I'll get him to give you the grand tour."

Dante stared at me like I had lost my mind. "What makes you think I want to see a bunch of smelly chickens?"

"To make me happy."

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, I'm going stir-crazy and it's been a while since I've visited Grandpa."

Julie leaped out of the recliner. "I'm with Gemma. We've been stuck in this house for over a week and the only excitement we've had is when the task force sends their goons to interrogate us. Plus, I always wanted to drive a 1968 Camaro."

"Not a chance." Dante stood up and pulled me to my feet. "Put your shoes on and we'll go visit your grandpa."

I planted a hot one on his mouth. "Thank you. Thank you. You won't be sorry."

"You're planning something, aren't you?"

"And if I was?"

Dante rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. "Is it legal?"

"Define legal."

"Your dad is going to kick my ass. You can give me the details on the drive out to see the chickens," Dante said.

I shot him a big grin and hurried into our bedroom.

Julie followed me. "What's the plan?"

"I'm going to talk Grandpa into getting me into the federal prison where they're holding Nargi."

"He can do that?"

"Yep, he has more connections than Dad does." I changed into jeans and boots.

Julie swapped out her tank top for a loose-fitting T-shirt that hid her holster. "From his CIA days?"

"And from his side job as a fixer." I slid a Glock into my right boot holster and a knife into my left boot. "I've got this itch between my shoulder blades like someone is stalking us, and Nargi is going to tell me what happened to Ichabod." I grabbed my purse. "Let's go."

The second we walked into the living room; Dante's eyes narrowed. "How many weapons are you carrying?"

"About as many as you are," I replied.

"Those chickens prone to attacking people?"

I nodded. "You would be surprised at how mean those little suckers can be."

Julie interjected, "And don't forget the coyotes, mountain lions and rattlesnakes."

"This is about Ichabod, isn't it?"

Dang, Dante knew me too well. "Yes, I have to know if he is dead or alive."

"Let's go ladies." Dante opened the door and escorted us out. "I need that question answered too."

My phone began to ring. I looked at the caller ID. "Crap, it's Mom."

"If you don't answer it, she'll track you down," Julie warned.

Julie was right. Mom was part bloodhound. I swiped right. "What's up Mom?"

"I'll meet you at the egg ranch."

My surprise was quickly replaced by anger. "Oh, my God, did you bug my phone?"

"I'll do whatever is necessary to keep you safe."

"This is over the line, Mom."

"If you're expecting an apology, you're not getting one. Ichabod is a murderous little weasel." Mom disconnected.

"I bugged your phone too," Dante said. "Too many people are trying to kill you."

"Unbelievable! I'm a trained police officer and I know how to take care of myself."

"You are my heart, querida and I can't, won't lose you." Dante brushed his mouth across mine.

Damn. I wrapped my arms around his waist. "You play dirty."

"It's the simple truth." He hugged me gently.

I kissed the tip of his nose. "As you're the other half of my soul, I get it. If anyone tried to hurt you, I'd do everything in my power to stop them."

"You get Gemma riled up and she can be meaner than a rabid coyote," Julie advised.

Dante grinned. "I think my first clue was when she attacked Ichabod with her stilettos."

I rolled my eyes. "Mom taught me when you're in a life-threatening situation, you use the weapons at hand. Whether it's a stiletto or a rolled-up newspaper."

"Is Grandpa Reynolds part of the Alpha Dogs?" Dante asked.

"No, Dad thinks he's too dangerous."

Dante's eyebrows rose. "Too dangerous? Seriously? Isn't he in his eighties?"

"Grandpa Reynolds might look like a harmless old man, but he's not. In his younger days, he was a CIA black ops agent, and a freelance fixer like Dad. If anyone can get me in to talk to Nargi, it's him."

Julie ran her hand over the Camaro's glossy black paint. "Love your car. You're sure I can't take it for a spin?"

Dante gave her the evil eye.

"Okay, fine." Julie got in the backseat.

Ever the gentleman, Dante opened the passenger door for me. I slid inside and stroked the red leather seats. "Have you ever done it in this car?"

He flashed me a sexy grin. "Consider it a date." He shut the door and walked around the car.

Sergeant Bergman pulled up next to the Camaro and got out of his patrol car. "Going somewhere?"

"I'm going to introduce Dante to Grandpa Reynolds," I called.

Amusement flashed in Sergeant Bergman's eyes. "Are you now?"

"I thought it was time Grandpa met him." I studied Sarge's face. Was he buying it?

"I need a dozen eggs. I'll follow you out there."

Crappity, crap, crap. "Aren't you still on duty?"

"I am." Sergeant Bergman got back in his patrol car.

Julie groaned. "He knows."

"You bet your ass he does." Dante started the engine.