Melody's Six

To the others it would simply look like more of the same newlywed affection, they’d been displaying all along. It wasn’t. He was all business right now. She could feel it in his shoulders and the way he touched her.

He guided her away from the others, toward an overlook created for perfect pictures. “Atwell wants to invest in the movie. Spalding is reluctant.”

“Money laundering?” The pieces started to click for her. “He must have a deal happening soon.”

Dean nodded. “I sent a text to Beck.”

“She’ll put someone on the money trail.” Mel linked her hand with Dean’s. “And the GPS tag?”

“Under control.” He gave her another nod, followed by a sweet, fleeting kiss. Was this his way of saying goodbye? He’d been so tender with her last night and now she wondered if he would leave the Athena Project. Not the point. She’d have to talk him out of that. Later.

She yanked her mind back to the job. “Did he complain about the extra security?” she asked as they walked toward the lemonade stand.

Their four friends had taken up unobtrusive posts around the group, keeping out of the way.

“A little. Insisted his men would’ve been sufficient. Spalding reminded him it was an order from the studio and he dropped it.”

“His men are probably out here too.” One more factor to keep her alert.

“I say bring it on.”

The gleam in Dean’s blue eyes sent a thrill through her system. Like him, she was ready to bring down Atwell before he finished his next deal. The man had built up a dude ranch as a front for weapons trafficking and was trying to wedge his foot into the movie business too.

Her gaze roamed over the area. Spotting Atwell chatting with Maria, it was all she could do not to stare him down. Maintaining cover, she pointed toward Lacy and Andrew. “I think we can take those two in cornhole.”

Dean laughed. “Let’s find out.”

They’d split the first two out of three games at one each when Mel and Lacy called for a snack break. On their way back to the men, Mel caught sight of Dana. Relief flooded her system to see the young woman happily working the event up here. She waved, smiled, and Dana hurried over.

“Ms. Boyd! I heard what happened. How are you feeling?”

Mel urged Lacy to go on without her. “I’m great, thank you.” Over Dana’s head she caught Dean watching. “This is a fabulous surprise on a trail ride.”

“We’re proud of it,” Dana said, glancing around. “The cookie bar was my idea.”

“It’s definitely a winner.” More than anything, Mel wanted Dana to find a way out from under her father’s thumb. To have a chance to make her own dreams come true and be more than a pawn in her father’s plans.

“I hate to impose, but would you mind giving me a hand?” Dana asked. “We’re shorthanded today. I promise, it’ll only take a minute.”

“Sure thing.” Mel was happy to pitch in, though she stayed alert for Atwell, who kept tabs on his youngest daughter. It would be ideal if they could pin a real crime on Atwell, without dragging Dana into his mess.

“So this isn’t just an elaborate setup designed to impress Mr. Spalding?” she asked, following the younger woman toward the food trailer.

“Oh, not just for him. My father always strives to offer the best hospitality to everyone,” Dana gushed. “Since we moved here, he is focused on making this the top dude ranch experience in the area. He dreams of a constant flow of tourists and locals alike.”

No doubt he was in the process of offering up the best weaponry to the highest bidder. He’d probably throw in a dozen gourmet cookies as a gift with purchase.

“Tell him he’s doing a great job as far as this local is concerned.” Mel managed to keep her tone friendly and light. “The cabins are incredible. From the food to today’s horsemanship lessons, your father seems to have found excellent people.”

Dana preened. “I’ll pass on your kind words.”

“Your dad really wants to be the sole location and staging area for this movie,” Mel observed.

Dana nodded, enthused. “My father admires Mr. Spalding’s creativity and innovation. It would be such a boon for the ranch to host a film crew here. And he enjoys spending time with dear friends.”

“Friends are important.” Mel studiously avoided looking for any members of the team posing as extra security. If she’d misjudged the situation and Atwell was using his daughter to get Mel away from Dean, she didn’t want her nerves to show. “Friends have gotten me out of some serious jams in the past.”

“Not your husband?” Dana cocked her head.

“Oh, he gets me out of some serious jams in the present,” Mel said with a laugh.

“That’s good.” Dana’s melancholy tone conflicted with the words. “It is good to see two people so in love.”

If only Dean felt safe enough to return her feelings.

Time, she reminded herself. She had to give him time to catch up and understand she wouldn’t force him into anything he didn’t want for himself.

Dana opened the back of the food trailer and climbed up inside. Mel caught the sharp scent of cigarette smoke as she reached for the door. Sensing the threat, the feigned surprise when two members of Atwell’s security staff came up behind her. Grabbing her arms, they shoved her to the ground.

She resisted the urge to fight, though she was more than capable of defending herself. “Dana!” It was the only word she uttered before a cold knife pressed against her throat.

“Silence.” Her captors turned her away from the trailer, hauling her toward the trees. There, she found Atwell waiting.

“Take her to the cave.” Here was the ruthless warlord she remembered. The friendly mask long gone and his dark eyes full of hatred. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“You’re on American soil,” she warned him. “We know who you are.”

He leaned in close, his voice low and vile. “I could say the same, Ms. Boyd. Too bad you’ll be dead when your superiors at the CIA learn you’ve been operating inside the country.”

“I’m not CIA. You’ve made a mistake.”