Page 31 of Prophet

“All out…” Jewel shook her head.

“That means, no one here at the ranch is safe,” Talon said as he looked over at Liv. “Would he have that kind of munitions?”

Liv looked a bit pale as this all dawned on her, “Yes,” she answered reluctantly. “He was in the FBI and he has all kinds of contacts. Good and bad ones. He could get a hold of…” Her voice faded away as she seemed frozen by the possibilities.

“The hell?” Hawk caught on. “So what you all are saying is, he is getting ready for a real war. Like missiles and shit?”

The room went utterly silent as this deadly possibility sank in.

“No fucking way!” Talon clenched his fists at his sides.

“It is very possible,” Liv whispered as she looked up at Talon then over at Hawk.

“Great,” I said. “So he is using this kidnapping game to keep us busy and distracted while he holds my dad hostage.”

“He is also watching every move we make,” Logan added. “So he will know if we catch on.”

“Not necessarily,” Logan said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“We can use the tunnel to get everyone off the ranch.” Talon nodded as he knew what Logan meant.

“To where?” I asked. “I don’t have to remind you that you have a huge family, Talon.”

He shook his head.

“The Connor House,” Redemption suggested.

Everyone looked over at him.

“You mean the place he used to hold Glory hostage?” I asked.

Nodding, Talon agreed, “He won’t return there as we know about it now.”

“It’s also huge as it was a bed and breakfast,” Liv added.

“Minus the bullet holes, you mean?” I asked.

“Clever idea,” Hawk said.

“So what about our distraction?” Jewel finally spoke up.

Our focus moved over to her.

“Do you want to be in the hands of that jerk?” I blurted out. As soon as it left my mouth, I knew it was the wrong thing to say.

Jewel looked stricken like I had just slapped her.

I stepped over to her. “Jewel...I’m—”

She pushed me away. “How could you say that?”

“I didn’t mean it like…” I leaned my head back in regret as I really fucked up. “Hell, open mouth, insert—”

“—cowboy boot,” Redemption cut in.

I shook my head at his joke. “I can’t let this happen, Jewel. I just can’t.”