The road narrowed, ruts worsening, one taking them airborne for several feet before the truck landed over a dry creek bed. Continuing straight toward a brand new barn, he cut right, then left, then left again, ending up behind it on a recently graded and oiled road.
“Hell yeah!” Fuse shouted, picking up speed. “Highway is straight ahead, kids. You all right back there, Brit?”
“Peachy.”
Chuckling, he pressed on the accelerator. “How are we on the right, Mitch?”
“Clear.”
“Same to the left. Here we go.” Slowing enough not to send them into a gully, he entered the two-lane highway. “Do you see them?”
“About half a mile behind.” Mitch let out a chuckle. “They’re stuck behind a semi.”
"I’m going to pass the trucks ahead of us and cut into a strip mall.”
“Shit. Highway Patrol ahead.”
Slowing down, they ignored the officer standing beside his cruiser, holding a speed gun. Fuse continued to watch behind him, letting out a breath when the officer made no move to follow them.
“Change of plans. Too much traffic. I’ll lose us in the golf community a mile up the highway.”
Five minutes passed before Fuse took a slow turn to the left, pulling up to a gate and punching in four numbers. Turning right, left, then right again, he pulled into the driveway of a well-maintained home with a large parking area to the far side of the property.
Stopping, he looked behind them. “Unless they have the gate code, there’s no way they can follow.”
“Is this your place, Scott?” Brittany sat up, staring at the beautiful two-story home.
“Um, no.”
“Oh.” She didn’t need to ask to know the place belonged to someone he’d been seeing. For years, she hadn’t allowed herself to think about other women in his life. It wasn’t her business, as her private life was none of his. After all, she’d been the one to end things, send him off alone.
Well, if this place was any indication, he hadn’t stayed alone for long. Scott had always had a strong appetite. Sex had always been incredible, and it had been often. Some days, they barely got out of bed to eat. The memories used to comfort her. Today, they caused her stomach to clench in pain. She’d been such a fool to let him go.
Fuse watched her in the mirror, seeing a wide play of emotions, ending with what appeared to be regret. Sucking in a breath, he refused to believe the knowledge he’d been with other women bothered her.
“See anything, Mitch?”
“Nope. I believe you lost them. Good job, Fuse.”
“We’ll wait a while longer.” Sliding his phone out of a pocket, he called Wrath. “We’re inside the Stone Park golf community. Black Escalade with Colorado plates has been following. They could be parked, waiting for us to drive out. If you’ve got the manpower, we could use a diversion.” He glanced at Mitch. “Thanks.”
“Wrath sending some men?” Mitch asked.
“Rock and a few others. If the SUV is out there, they’ll find it.”
Brittany rested her arms on the back of their seats. “What will they do?”
“I don’t care as long they keep them off our asses until we get to WES.”
Chapter Ten
WES Offices
“I’m Kell Kirkland. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Blackmore. I wish it were under different circumstances.”
She accepted the extended hand. “Please, call me Brittany. I agree about the circumstances, although I am thankful for Mitch and Scott.”
“Let’s sit down so I can be brought up to speed on the last few hours.” Kell walked to the door, leaning out. “Dani. Do you have time to join us?”
A moment later, Ghost’s wife, one of three WES execs entered, introducing herself to Brittany. “It’s been months, but I believe we met at the McCord ranch family rodeo.”
“We did. It’s good to see you again, Dani.”
She held out a bag. “I was able to scrounge up some clothes for you. Not much. Pants and a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts.”
Brittany clutched the gift to her chest. “Thank you.”
Kell sat back, steepling his fingers under his chin. “If you don’t mind waiting to change, I need to hear Mitch’s SITREP.”
Over the next thirty minutes, Mitch provided a situation report on what happened in Phoenix, with Fuse and Brittany adding comments. Kell had already put Jezzie, WES’s office manager, on finding all they could on Tony Reyes. So far, there wasn’t much.
“All right, people. Knowing those men followed you from Phoenix, we can assume they haven’t given up on using Brittany to threaten Senator Blackmore. We need to find a safe house for her to stay.”
“That’s been settled, Kell,” Fuse said. “Brit is staying with me.”
She opened her mouth to object, stopping at the look on Fuse’s face. In her heart, she knew he’d do everything possible to protect her. No matter their past, he’d never put her in danger, would defend her with his life.
“Are you all right with that, Brittany?” Kell asked.
This was her chance to put distance between them. With the way she still felt about him, it would be the safe decision to decline, find another place to stay.
“Yes. I will need a few things, though. Plus, I hope Mitch will still be assigned to me.”
“He is,” Kell said.
“We’re already setting up a computer and phone. I’d be happy to stop by Walmart and get whatever else you need.”
“That’s kind of you, Dani, but I can go myself.”
“No,” the three men said in unison.
Fuse leaned forward, placing his hand over hers. “Those men are out there, Brit. They may know about WES, they may not. Still, the less you’re seen, the better. Make a list and Dani will get what you need. I’ve already asked my housekeeper to stock the house, but if there’s anything special you want to eat, add it to the list.”
Refusing to act the victim, she squared her shoulders, lifting her chin. “You’re the expert.”
Something about her tone both reassured and warned him. Over the last few days, he’d learned the Brittany of old didn’t exist. She’d grown into a confident, independent woman, who didn’t appreciate others making decisions for her.
Fuse found he liked this woman better than the one who’d only sought to please—her parents, professors, employer, and at one time, him.
“Dani, I need to speak with Fuse and Mitch. Is Brittany’s equipment ready?”
“Sure is, Kell. Come with me, Brittany, and I’ll go over the computer and phone with you.” Dani shoved open the door. “There are some features you might not have had on your previous gear.”
She followed Dani to the outer office, giving a grateful nod to Kell while ignoring Scott. Brittany could almost feel his smirk as Dani closed the door.
“Some things never change,” she muttered, coming up next to Dani, who lifted a brow.
“Excuse me?”
Feeling her face flush, Brittany winced, giving a short shake of her head. “Nothing. So, what do you have for me?”
It took twenty minutes for Dani to explain the special enhancements to her new computer and phone, each one installed to keep her safe. Once finished, she handed Brittany pen and paper.