Guarding Hope

“As for the security systems, I have a company coming in a few hours to set up cameras on the perimeter of the ranch. I need new fencing around the main house, which I have coming next week.”

“Good. I’ll keep an eye on Cummings and Navarro. Unfortunately, I don’t know who Navarro might have in his pocket, so, for now, it’s only us on this. Of course, I can bring TJ into this.”

“We shouldn’t be bringing all these people in. This is my problem,” Hope said, placing the coffee in front of Dax.

“Hope. This is what TJ and I do for a living. We’re there to protect the innocent and bust the bad guys. This fuck used to prosecute them, but he’s gone soft.”

“I hate this, but I think my father killed my mother.”

“What?”

“That’s good. If that’s what you feel, maybe we can trace something back to him. Until then, maybe you need to take a vacation.”

“I could go for that.”

“But don’t you have a ranch to be handling and all that stuff.”

“Well, I have people working this week, but perhaps in a couple of weeks, they’ll be able to work without me. Hopefully, Navarro will have lost interest.”

Chapter 10

Gage hopped in the cab of his pickup truck, looking at the window upstairs. An unsettling feeling crept into his gut. Leaving Hope in the house alone wouldn’t be the smartest, but he had to continue running his ranch as best as he could.

Three hours later, he raced back to the property to check on Hope. She didn’t have a cell phone, and she knew not to answer the house phone, so he couldn’t contact her.

He made a note to get her a cell phone along with new clothes today when they went out shopping. He’d planned to take her for a new wardrobe. She deserved to be in the best and most comfortable clothes. The drive would take them out to Austin where she’d less likely be recognized. Since he’d worked there for a decade, he knew where to go for everything.

Rushing into the house, he called out her name. No sounds could be heard. Fuck. He dashed through each room until he reached his bedroom door. A low noise from his television gave him some comfort. He slowly twisted the knob, hoping that he wouldn’t frighten her. Sprawled out on his bed, Hope slept with her head toward the foot of the bed.

“Baby. You scared me,” Gage whispered before bending down and kissing her temple. As he pulled back, her eyes fluttered and her puffy lips parted.

“Gage,” she moaned.

“I’ve finished up my end today. Bill has everything under control. I’m ready to take you to Austin.”

“Oh. Is that a good idea?”

“As much as I like seeing you in my clothes, I don’t think it’s a good idea for everyone else to see you in them. I might have to commit murder.”

“Silly. I’ll get dressed.” She scurried off the bed, looking around the room with a curious brow before her eyes widened. “Oh my. I totally forgot that I snuck into your room.”

“You’re welcome in here.” Gage choked on the words because he envisioned seeing her on the bed all the time with no clothes while he stalked toward her, equally naked.

She smiled up at him, making his heart race with her natural beauty. “Thank you. I haven’t watched television in years, and I didn’t want to put the television on downstairs in case someone came to the door.” His good humor disappeared as the extent of the neglect showed.

“Smart. Come on, Hope. Let’s get you some clothes,” Gage muttered through gritted teeth. Cummings deserved a bullet in his head.

She readied herself in ten minutes. Once in the SUV, she felt a little nervous. “Should I hide in the back or something?”

“No. Put on my hat, sit back, and relax.” He took off his hat, leaving his hair a mess, but Hope only focused on how handsome Gage looked. His large hand cupped the cowboy hat and then plopped it onto her tiny head. While she blushed and giggled at the way it slid down her face, he had a completely different reaction.

He gripped the steering wheel hard as she fixed the hat, making his cock throb against his zipper. Her hair framed her face, and the hat only added to her femininity, catching Gage’s attention. Growling, he muttered, “Damn, you are so cute. That hat fits you perfectly.”

“It floats on me.” She giggled, pushing the brim back up after it slid down her face for the third time.

“Hold on.” Gage jumped out of the truck and ran back into the house, snatching one of his Rangers baseball caps off the hat rack. He tugged on the door handle on the passenger side and smiled at Hope. “This should be much better.” He adjusted the baseball cap and then handed it to her. “Now, sit back and chill. It’s only forty minutes from here.”