“What the hell?”
“You could see us. It didn’t occur to you to take a hike and come back later?”
“Sorry to interrupt your little interlude, but while you’re playing kissy-face with the reporter, there are agents out there in the world getting killed.”
Stella came out of the bedroom. “Irish, was there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
“I was able to obtain travel records for Kerr.”
“And?”
“He flew from England to New York City two days before your aunt’s death. According to the manifest, he was on the plane. Once Decker is at King-Alexander, he’ll be able to delve into facial recognition in order to determine Kerr’s whereabouts.”
“Two questions.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can you please remind me what King-Alexander is again?”
“A large ranch in Texas that has been Decker’s home since he was a teenager. It’s owned by Z Alexander and his two adult children. Actually, I misspoke. Since Decker and Mila married, they’ve resided on her ranch, which is adjacent to King-Alexander. That reminds me, Decker heard back from Z about Kerr. He said there was nothing remarkable about him retiring from full-time duty with MI5 and becoming a consultant. It happens all the time. What was your other question?”
“Any idea of Hennessey’s whereabouts?”
“She’s believed to still be in London. Again, once Decker is available, he’ll track her.”
“Was there anything else?”
“I thought you’d want to know about Kerr’s arrival in the States right away.”
“Thank you very much for that information.”
“Thanks, Irish,” said Buck.
I was almost to my cabin when a truck drove up. Flynn was behind the wheel.
“Hey, there,” I said, walking over to open her door. “Are you making a delivery?”
She cocked her head.
“Next door?”
“Um, no. Buck knows where to get whatever he needs.”
“I see.”
“What? I mean, what do you see?”
I took a step closer to her. “Why did you stop by, Flynn?”
“Oh! The concert! My brother Holt, you met him, right?”
“I don’t think I have.”
“You will. Anyway, he’s in a band. Kind of a famous band, and they’re playing a set at one of the other ranches. I came by to ask Buck if you all wanted to go.”
“Does that include me?”
She smiled. “Of course it does.”
“I’ll answer for myself, then. Yes, I’d like to go.”
“Buck might not think it’s a good idea.” When Flynn bit her bottom lip, I was tempted to reach out and touch her chin.
“Do you think it’s his decision?”
“You know…the whole safety thing.”
“You’re aware of that?”
“Not the details, but yeah.”
I pointed to where Ink was standing. “See that guy?”
“Yes.”
“He’s here to protect both Stella and me. There are more guys like him hanging around. If I want to go somewhere, then one or more of them will go with me. Okay?”
“Okay. So, you really want to go?”
“More than anything.” I loved the way she smiled at my words. I wanted to see more of it. “Go ask your brother if he and Stella want to go too.”
“Is he over there?”
“Yep. I just got done talking to him.”
20
Flynn
I had never wanted to be invisible more than I did right now. I knew Paxon was watching me walk away and was taking in the view of how fat my ass looked in my Wrangler jeans and how my stringy hair hung down my back with no style whatsoever. I wasn’t one of those girls who stared into a mirror, wishing I was skinnier or prettier. I didn’t have time. Except right now, I wished I was.
Without thinking, I jimmied the door handle and walked into the cabin. “Hey, Buck,” I said when he came out of the bedroom.
“What are you doing here, Flynn?”
“Sorry if I’m intruding.”
“Knock next time.”
I felt my cheeks flush and wanted to turn around and walk out, but I wanted Paxon to be able to go tonight more.
“Instead of CB Rice coming here, Holt is inviting everyone to the Flying R Ranch. They’re going to perform a full set.”
“What are you asking?”
“If we could all go.”
“Not a good idea.”
“Come on, Buck. It’ll be fun.”
“I don’t know, Flynn. I’m not sure I want to risk leaving the ranch.”
“Have you ever been on the Flying R? With as famous as Ben Rice is, I’d be willing to bet their security system is as elaborate as the one being installed here.”
“I doubt it, but I hadn’t thought about the fact that Ben would need something substantial.”
“It’ll mean so much to Holt.”
“When did he become a member of Ben’s band?”
“A couple of years ago. Until he knew whether they’d invite him to go on tour, he kept it quiet.”
“Did I hear something about going to see a band?” asked Stella, also coming out of the bedroom.
“I’m trying to talk my overprotective brother into coming along and bringing you and Paxon with him.”
“What if we ask some of the guys working on the security system to go along?” Stella asked.
My brother stroked his beard. “That could work.”
“Please,” I begged, clasping my hands together.
“Let me talk to Rock first, and I’ll let you know.”
When I walked out of the cabin, Paxon was still out on the porch of his. “Well?”
“He’s talking it over with Rock.”
Paxon nodded.
“The thing is, the guy who owns the ranch is a mega rock star. He probably has more security at his place than we do here.”
He motioned me to go over to him, and we both sat down on the porch swing.
“Your brother also has to think about the other people who might be at this place. He doesn’t have time to secure a guest list and vet it.”
“I didn’t think about that,” I said, feeling like an idiot.
“You wouldn’t have any reason to. I hope once we’re gone, you have no reason to again. You should never have to live your life in fear.”
“There are other things to fear in life besides someone wanting to kill me,” I said, wishing I had thought it rather than said it out loud.
Paxon leaned over so we were almost close enough to touch.
“Like what, Flynn?”
I looked out over the ranch. “Nothing,” I mumbled. “I just meant in general.”
Paxon reached for my hand and ran the pad of his thumb over the back of it. “What things are there to fear in your life, Flynn?”
I shook my head, and my eyes filled with tears.
“You don’t know me that well, but you can talk to me.”
Maybe I could, if I could speak. I knew that if I did, I’d probably cry harder.