Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

Landon brings Lara’s hand to his lips, kissing it before saying, “Beautiful, you will not be participating, okay?”

“I’ll make sure you all have a hot drink for afterward,” Lara says, agreeing easily with Landon. I love that he’s so damn protective over her. His love and desire to keep her safe and happy does my heart a lot of good. My parents loved him from the first time they met him despite the age gap. I suppose Ava and I are pretty far apart in age as well, and I want her giving me my own football team soon.

In six weeks, she’ll be my wife. Six fucking weeks. I love it.

Chapter Thirteen

Ava

It’s quiet on the ranch since the reporters left almost six weeks ago. Tomorrow’s our wedding on Saint Patrick’s Day, and I’m glad it’s finally here. We’ve kept it extremely minimal, but Lara has added all the beautiful touches effortlessly from Chicago. It’s great to have her in my life. We talk every single day and add to what it feels like to have a family. My nerves have my stomach in knots. I’m a bundle of nerves because I feel like something’s going to get in the way of my happiness. Getting married at twenty-one doesn’t seem smart, but after all that’s happened, I know in my heart that Tobias is the one.

My phone rings, and I expect it’s Lara for our everyday chit chat so I answer it. “So when is your flight getting in?”

“Flight? You need to be more careful of who you answer for,” the woman hisses on the other end. A chill runs down my spine as I twirl around the laundry room as if someone can see me in here.

I’m caught off guard because only a few women know this number: Louisa, Lara, and Marisa. “Who is this?” I ask in a hushed whisper.

“Tobias’s real love. I don’t know what spell you got him under, but he belongs to me.” Fucking hell, who is this woman? I know he hasn’t been cheating on me, so she’s got to be delusional, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be concerned.

“I’ve never heard of you, so you can’t be his love,” I toss out with a laugh, trying to coax more information out of her. Tobias must have a crazy ex he failed to mention. Or rather he chose not to mention while grilling me about my past. Fucking asshole. I want to punch him in the balls for this.

“Bitch, keep laughing, Ava. I’m going to kill you soon.” I blanch, stepping backward against the washing machine. She can’t be this crazy, can she?

“Who is this?” I ask, my voice shaking. I think about the lengths my father has gone to and know people are that fucked up, so it’s possible.

“He’s mine. You need to leave him now, or I’ll make sure you don’t get to the wedding tomorrow.” The call ends abruptly, and I drop to the floor in the laundry room where I’d been folding clothes with my knees cradled to my chest.

Every few seconds I look at the phone. The number came up private which I suspected. I’m gonna bet they aren’t going to be able to trace the call when I tell them. This woman knows how to get to me and I have no clue who she is. Will I ever be safe again?

Who is she? Is it the same chick who was fired or another woman after Tobias?

The first time it was annoying when that bitch claimed she was pregnant with Tobias’s baby. This time it’s scary. I rock myself as I contemplate my next move. Tears fill my eyes and spill over before I realize it.

“No. Don’t let this bitch get to you. Talk to Tobias,” I say to myself, firming my resolve. I’ve been through a lot in the past six weeks, and I’m not a coward. I have to speak to my fiancé and get the truth out of him. I get up and out of the laundry room and slam right into my future sister-in-law.

“What is going on?” Lara asks, grabbing me by my biceps. “Why are you crying? What did my brother do?” She sounds pissed like she’s ready to kick his ass for me. I’m not ready to spill our problems out to everyone especially when I haven’t spoken to Tobias. As upset as I am about this problem, it’s our problem.

“Nothing.” I notice Landon’s behind her and on his phone. I hear the boys running up to their room to go play. They must have just gotten in earlier than expected. I can’t believe I didn’t hear them come in. How long was I sitting on the floor freaking out?

Landon hangs up and says, “Come on into the living room and sit down.” He leads me with his hand firmly on my arm to the living room to avoid any objection from me. “I’ll get you a glass of water.” He caresses his wife’s cheek before leaving the room. Even in my anxious and angry state, I can’t help but adore his affection for her.