Maude had been shot.
That could’ve been Danielle if she hadn’t been at the sheriff’s office.
Danielle was inside Michael’s place with Chuck.
Sheriff Champion, Justin, and Austin were headed to Elko. They’d gotten word from Dr. Tara Vines that a man with a gunshot wound had been treated there a little while ago.
Lance held a flashlight in one hand and his gun in the other. The shooting was the second time that someone had tried to hurt Danielle. The image of the car careening toward her played over and over in his mind.
His gut tightened.
I won’t let her out of my sight again. Am I falling in love with her?
He bent down, shining a light at one of the many rosebushes.
Danielle was everything to him. He hadn’t cared for anyone like he cared for her. No woman had ever moved him like Danielle. She was so brave and kind. Funny and sexy as hell.
The cartel issue would be resolved, even if he had to blow away every last one of the drug dealers himself. He and Chuck had the funds to make sure that happened. They could hire the best mercenaries money could buy if need be.
He’d never wanted to go to war with drug dealers, but for Danielle, he would spend every dime he had and fight the devil himself to make sure she was safe.
Hell, I must be in love with her. In his heart, he knew he was.
* * * *
Chuck checked the locks on the windows of Michael’s house one more time. The only thing he wanted was to keep Danielle safe.
She was in the bath that he’d drawn for her.
Lance was at the back door, which was made of glass. Not very secure, but he would make sure to keep an eye on it while they were here. He opened the door.
“Everything looks fine outside.”
She was safe for now. “All the windows and doors are secure. Danielle is taking a bath.”
“Good. That gives you and I a chance to talk.”
“About her, right?” He knew his friend was thinking the same thing he was. She could have been killed that afternoon.
“Damn right about her,” Lance said. “We can’t let anything happen to her, Chuck. She means too much to me.”
“To me, too,” he confessed. “She’s changed me, Lance. I can’t imagine a life without her in it. I love her.”
“I love her, too.”
He sat down at the table. “How can we protect her, Lance?”
“At first light, we take her to the jet. Let’s head to somewhere the cartel can’t reach.”
“Great idea, buddy.” He nodded. “Austin said this Rio Grande group runs in the Southwest. I think we should take Danielle to Paris.”
“Absolutely. It will be hard to get her to leave Wilde. I can tell she loves it here.”
“Hell, I love it here, too. This place gets under your skin fast. No wonder Michael decided to stay.”
“Once the dust settles and this cartel issue is finished, we bring her back.”
* * * *