Clearly Jared didn’t like the idea. He jumped out of his chair and began to pace the small space.

  “We already have several teams looking for him.”

  “I’m talking about baiting a trap. With me.”

  Jared was already shaking his head. “We are not going to do that. We said we’d keep you alive. That is dangerous and frankly we’re getting too old for that shit. At least I am. Besides, Ava would cut off your balls and ours, too. Misty would help.”

  “Kaylee would as well,” Reed agreed. “They’re not thrilled about all this danger crap. But I might have an idea. It’s a longshot…”

  Logan was ready to hear any idea no matter how outlandish.

  “I’m listening.”

  “It might already have been done–”

  “Maybe but let’s hear it anyway. We could use a fresh idea or two.”

  Reed stood and walked over to the windows that overlooked the side yard. Mike could be seen from there keeping watch over the long driveway from a limb in a big oak tree. The marshal was as steady as they came and absolutely no nonsense.

  “You say that we’ve checked out all of the employees of the prison. All of Marilyn’s friends and family. We’ve read through all of the mail and the cops have checked out a few of the more menacing pen pals.” Reed paused, scraping his hand down his face. “It’s just I remember this one case I worked on when I was a rookie. The local body shop had a theft problem and they were convinced that it was an inside job. We agreed as there was never forced entry and the thieves always seemed to know where to find what they wanted. But it wasn’t an inside job per se. It was a former employee from years before who had left town and returned. He knew enough about the business to easily steal and the owner hadn’t ever changed anything, including the locks. The guy was able to use his old key that he’d never returned.”

  His brain working a mile a minute, Logan could see what Reed was trying to describe.

  “You’re saying that it might be someone who used to work at the prison?”

  Reed nodded. “Or the county jail. Or even one of his transport details. We’ve checked out current employees and cops. What about the ones that were there when Bryson was first incarcerated?”

  Jared looked like he was on board with the theory. “That’s how he might have met them. We need access to former employee files. Everyone who might have had any sort of contact with Bryson.”

  Logan was excited about this new direction. It at least gave them a direction which he felt they were sorely lacking. “That could be a boatload of people, but I think you’re onto something. If he made friends with someone inside besides Marilyn, they could be helping him now.”

  “I’ll make the call,” Jared said, dialing his phone. “Then we need to get out of here.”

  Wade knew where they were. Would he find them where they were going?

  * * * *

  “We need to pick up camping gear along the way,” Jared said, making a list as Reed and Logan packed the vehicles. They should have been on the road thirty minutes ago, but they’d argued about whether to head to a populated area or somewhere far more remote. Remote won. “And then we need to stop at a grocery store to pick up supplies.”

  Reed shoved the last suitcase into the trunk. “Can I ask a question? How come you’re not lifting anything heavier than a pen and Logan and I are heaving luggage around?”

  Grinning, Jared tapped his pen against the small tablet. “Because I’m the brains of the operation and you’re the brawn.”

  Logan wiped his hands on a handkerchief from his pocket. “You are such an asshole. I don’t know how Misty puts up with you.”

  “Frankly, I don’t know either,” Jared said. “Are we ready to go? It feels like we’re never going to leave.”

  Logan nodded toward the house. “Let’s get them loaded into the cars.”

  Jared loped off to round up the woman and children, but Logan placed a hand on Reed’s arm staying his movement.

  “Can we talk for a minute?”

  “Of course.”

  “I know you think we should head for a population center near law enforcement and hospitals.”

  Reed hadn’t made any secret of that. During the discussion, he’d made his argument but lost.

  “I get why you’re against it. You have a point about innocent lives. I was thinking more about our lives, honestly.”

  “You made a good argument in there and the more I think about it the more I wonder if you’re right.”

  Logan didn’t change his mind without a damn good reason and Reed had a good idea why he’d done it.

  “But not for everyone,” Reed guessed. “You think that the women and kids should be in a more populated area.”

  “I do,” Logan agreed. “When Griffin and Jason arrive, I want you and Jared to take our wives and the twins and put them on a plane to Florida where Evan can keep an eye on them. They’ll be safe there.”

  “If that’s what you think, then you should go, too.”

  His friend was already shaking his head. “I’m the target. And the bait. I have to stay here, but they don’t have to. I need them out of the line of fire. I don’t think you want Kaylee here any more than I want Ava and the kids.”

  Reed had been going back and forth about it. He loved having his wife there and they’d grown closer in the last few days, but as the danger had ratcheted up he’d thought more and more about sending her away. The only reason he hadn’t done it was that he didn’t think she’d go and leave her best friend.

  “I don’t but she’s stubborn as hell. Ava is, too. She isn’t going to want to leave you.”

  “I’m not planning on giving her a choice. Every day that Wade is on the loose becomes more dangerous for all of us. I can’t put her and the kids in the line of fire. I want to keep them close. That’s the selfish part of me. But deep down inside I know that they’d be better off away from me. Wade doesn’t really want them. He wants me.”

  “So what do you want to do? Everyone thinks we’re headed for the middle of nowhere.”

  “We are to a certain extent. We’ll go to that cabin that Jared knows about and meet the others there. Then you’ll take the women and children and get the hell out as soon as I can make the arrangements. I’ll go after Wade and end this shit once and for all.”

  It sounded like a good plan to Reed but there was one problem… Two, actually.

  “Our wives are never going to let you do it.”

  “I don’t take my orders from Ava.”

  Despite the dire situation they were in, Reed couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled up. “Yes, you do. And I take orders from Kaylee. They’re always right so we’d be fools not to listen. Once our women get wind of this plan they’re going to barbecue your butt.”

  “I have an ace in the hole, my friend.”

  “Really? Do tell.”

  The twins were running toward them, Kaylee and Ava on their heels carrying two small backpacks – one pink and one blue.

  “Them.”

  “Them?” Reed echoed. “I don’t understand.”

  “Colt and Brianna. I’ll tell Ava that the kids aren’t safe near me. She’d take a bullet for those two, so she’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Even leave me.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I am. You’ll see.”

  Considering that Ava and Kaylee always seemed to be one step ahead this ought to be quite interesting to watch play out.

  Time to hit the road.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kaylee could see the tension in her husband by the tightness of his jaw and the way his shoulders were set, so stiff and unyielding. They’d been on the road for about an hour and a half and he’d barely spoken a word except to Logan and Jared. Constantly on alert, he’d kept checking his rearview mirror as their vehicle was the “tail” of this small parade. Mike and Amy were in the front, Jared right behind, and Logan, Ava, and the twins next. From this distance, Kaylee could see the outline of her best friend in the passenger seat, her hands gesticulating in the air. Logan and Ava were having a lively discussion. Or maybe they were simply singing a song with their kids.

  Giving up on the book she’d been trying to distract herself with, Kaylee gave all of her attention to her husband. She loved looking at him, studying his chiseled profile and enjoying the strength and integrity she saw there. Reed was a handsome devil and he only seemed to get better with age. There was silver at his temples and a few new lines around his eyes, but they only served to make him more interesting.

  Why wasn’t it the same with females? Men became more fascinating and women became…older.

  Except that Kaylee didn’t always feel just older. She’d walked through fire, and although the flames were still lapping at her heels she just might make it to the other side, scarred but alive. Ava had reminded her that she was strong and could handle this.

  I’m going to be okay. Somehow. Eventually.

  Either with Reed or without him. Kaylee would prefer it to be with her husband, but she was so tired of apologizing for something she couldn’t control or fix. This was who she was and if he didn’t want her this way she’d have to find a way to deal with it. They were both hurting and instead of moving toward each other, they’d both curled into a ball and turned away. Finding each other in the dark wasn’t going to be easy but she was willing to reach out and so was he. They had a chance and for that she was grateful.

  “Are we being followed?” she asked as he glanced in the rearview mirror again.

  His head jerked in her direction, his brows pulled together in a frown. “No. Hell no. Why do you ask?”

  “Because you keep looking in the mirror. I assume you’re concerned about being followed.”

  Sighing, his shoulders relaxed for the first time that morning. “Yes and no. There was a concern that Wade was watching the house and might follow us when we leave but we haven’t seen any sign of that. I think we got away clean.”

  “Got away clean,” she repeated, amusement in her tone. “Such a charming expression. Like we just knocked over a bank and are on the run from the heat.”

  Reed smiled, showing off his dimples. “Baby, I am the heat.”

  Remembering last night, she could only agree. “Yes, you are.”

  His hazel eyes had darkened to almost black. He too was thinking about last night.

  “When we get home I am going to make you scream my name over and over. The neighbors will know I’m back.”

  They hadn’t discussed Reed that but she wasn’t against it. They couldn’t work this out separately and they were both miserable apart.

  “Our closest neighbor is over three miles away, Reed.”

  Chuckling, he shot her an evil grin. “You’re going to be screaming pretty loud.”

  Something to look forward to, but…

  “We still have a lot to work out. It’s not all fixed because we had sex last night.”

  “I know. But we’re not solving anything with me living in the apartment above the station. We need to be together. Or rather, I need to be with you. I hope you feel the same.”

  “I do.”

  “But?”

  Kaylee shook her head. “No buts. I just know that we have a lot of work ahead of us. There are still things we need to talk about. I’m so tired of crying. Everyone talks about how cleansing it is and I know it can be, but lately I don’t feel any better after a good cry. I just feel…”

  “Sad?” Reed finished for her. “Exhausted? More confused than ever?”

  “That about covers it. How did you know?”

  “You’re not the only one who has cried.”

  Reed had cried? She’d certainly seen her husband shed a tear or two but an actual crying jag?

  “I’m sorry I made you cry.”

  “I’m sorry too, although it wasn’t so much what we did to each other, was it? Life isn’t going to let us have the fairy tale and that hurts like a bitch, but we have so much else to be thankful for. That’s what I want us to concentrate on. What we have, not what we don’t.”

  It sounded so easy but doing it was far more difficult.

  “I am grateful for what we have. I know how lucky we are. And yet–”

  Kaylee broke off, loath to put her thoughts into actual words.

  “You’re still upset that we can’t have it all.”

  “Yes,” she admitted, her voice shaky with emotion. Her throat had tightened up and she had to swallow hard to be able to speak. “I know that’s selfish. We have so much and so many have so little that it feels petty to be like this. To want more.”

  “It’s not petty. It’s human.”

  “It still feels wrong.”

  “You’re so hard on yourself. Far harder than anyone else could ever be. Cut yourself some slack. You’re only human. We both are.”

  To lighten the atmosphere, Kaylee tried to crack a joke. “This is why I don’t read my reviews.”

  “I’ve read them. Readers love you.”

  “I bet they don’t all love me.”

  Shrugging, he glanced in the rearview again but this time much less tense. “Probably, but they don’t matter. Not everyone is going to love you, honey. Life doesn’t work like that.”

  “If I remember correctly, that’s how you and I met. Nasty letters from a so-called fan. I know that everyone isn’t going to love me, but it would sure be nice.”

  Kaylee still read all of her emails – good and bad. Most of them were good but a few were blisteringly awful.

  “You wouldn’t want that. If everyone loves you, you’re kissing somebody’s ass. And you’re no ass-kisser.”

  Neither was he.

  “Interesting theory you have there. I never thought about it that way, but you have a point.”

  “I’m a wise man.”

  He’d said it with such a straight face Kaylee had to laugh. “That you are. Now can the wise man shed some light on a question that’s been bugging me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Kaylee pointed to the vehicle in front of them. “What’s going on there? Ava looks animated.”

  Reed gave a heavy sigh and then groaned. “That poor dumb bastard. I bet Ava took one look at Logan and knew exactly what he’s up to. He’s screwed.”

  “What is he up to? Is he thinking about going after Wade again?”

  “I wish it were that simple. He’s got an idea that’s not going to make Ava happy. You won’t be, either.”

  “Then you better tell me all about it.”

  * * * *

  Kaylee stretched her cramped legs as she exited the car. They were stopping for gas and to grab a bite to eat. The twins were complaining that they were hungry and her own stomach was growling angrily. Even the fast food smelled amazingly delicious and she couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into a cheeseburger and fries. Maybe a chocolate shake, too. She hadn’t eaten much for breakfast, too anxious about their road trip.

  The store they’d stopped at was one of those supermarts with gas, food, and a huge store with everything and anything they could ever want. Reed and Jared were going to follow the women around the grocery area while the others picked up camping gear. The cabin they were going to didn’t have enough room for all of them to sleep inside. Luckily it wasn’t January.

  Not knowing how long they would be stuck there, Kaylee and Ava piled the cart high with food – some healthy and some nothing but junk.

  “Never go the grocery store hungry,” Kaylee said, tossing two bags of chips into the cart. “Which is why we’re going to spend a small fortune in this store. I’m starved.”

  “I am, too,” Ava declared. “And I don’t care how much crap we eat. If I’m going to be on the road like this, I’m going to have s’mores.”

  Reed and Jared flanked the women but stayed back a few steps, always watchful and on alert. For a short time, it was rather peaceful as the twins had whined until they got to go with daddy to look at tents. They’d thought that was the coolest thing ever.

  “When we were driving behind you…well…it looked like you were upset about something.” Kaylee kept her voice down so Reed and Jared wouldn’t hear. “Reed said that Logan wants us away from him.”

  Ava rolled her eyes and sighed. “Yes, he does. I’m shocked he let the twins hang out with him in this store, but I guess he thinks that Wade isn’t following us and that he wouldn’t start a shootout in a superstore in Montana where everyone is packing heat.”

  “He’s just worried about you and the kids.”

  For some reason Kaylee felt the need to defend Logan. Every time she looked at him, he appeared to be a man tortured by the current circumstances.

  “I know and that’s why I didn’t cut off his balls. I simply let him know that I wasn’t leaving him. The kids, on the other hand…”

  Kaylee’s ears perked up at her friend’s words. Clearly Ava was having misgivings about keeping her children close. “You’re thinking about sending Brianna and Colt somewhere else?”

  Lips turned down, Ava rubbed at her temples. “I don’t want to. My motherly instinct is to wrap them in cotton wool and keep them close to me, but like Logan says that might not be the smartest thing I could do. Being away from us would probably be safer. Evan has a group of former marshals in Florida that could watch over them. Heck, they could take them to Disney World. They’d love that.”

  “They’d miss their parents.”

  “When Mickey Mouse and all the princesses are there? Not hardly.”

  “You wouldn’t go with them?”

  It was hard for Kaylee to wrap her mind around the idea that Ava would let her children go. But if it was to keep them safe…

  “Logan needs me. But they wouldn’t go alone. They’d be with the person I trust most in the world.”