Page 3 of Ranger’s Honor (Lone Star Wolf Rangers #4)

“I got a message from him. Just a little bit ago. On my laptop.”

He’s already moving. “Show me.”

I lead him to the table. He yanks out the chair and opens the laptop. The screen stays dark.

I explain what I saw—the warning, the threat, the signature Reaper brand of intimidation.

His expression doesn’t change, but the air around him does.

The calm before something breaks. I can feel it in the way his gaze narrows, in the way the air between us grows heavy, electric.

Like he’s holding something back. A storm tightening behind his ribs.

“Was the laptop online?”

“No.”

“External drives?”

“None connected.”

He mutters something under his breath and pulls out a small device. Plugs it into the USB port. It starts scanning.

“Is that a tiny lie detector or are you just happy to see me?” I ask.

He shoots me a look. “This device checks for embedded malware, tracking beacons, remote access signatures. You’re not funny.”

“I beg to differ. Most of my readers say I’m hilarious. And charming. And occasionally devastating.”

He doesn’t smile. But something in his jaw twitches.

I call it a win.

The scanner beeps.

Dalton removes it and looks up. “Your laptop’s compromised. Full remote access. And not amateur hour, either—this was embedded deep. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”

A knot twists in my stomach. “Military-level deep?”

He nods once. Grim. “Could be ex-agency. Could be cartel. Doesn’t matter. What matters is someone wanted access without being noticed. And they got it.”

“So I wasn’t hallucinating.”

“No. You were being warned.”

Dalton stands and moves closer. He’s not touching me, but his presence feels like a wall. Solid. Immovable.

“You’re not staying here alone.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m not asking.”

“You’re not staying here,” I shoot back. “I didn’t invite you in. This isn’t Twilight , and I don’t care if your inner wolf thinks I’m a chew toy, this is my house.”

His eyes flicker. Not with amusement this time. With something darker.

“You think this is a joke?” he asks quietly.

I hate the way my throat tightens. “I think I’ve been underestimated my whole life. And I’m tired of it.”

“I’m not underestimating you. I’m telling you this ends one of two ways—either I stay here and protect you or we relocate you to a secure site until we neutralize the threat. Gideon thought you'd prefer to stay here.”

“So I get to pick between prison and a prison with coffee.”

His jaw flexes. “You get to pick between alive and not.”

I go still.

His voice drops another octave. “He knows who you are, Kari. He’s already in your system. If we don’t act now, it’s not a matter of if but when.”

I want to argue. I really do. But then I remember the blinking cursor. The words. The chill crawling up my spine, and the fact that Maggie is here. If the Reaper makes a move on me, he won't leave behind witnesses.

I nod, once.

Dalton exhales. "Rush and Cassidy are en route. They'll be here in ten to pick up Maggie and get her to their place. You and I are staying put."

I blink. "Excuse me?"

He shrugs one shoulder. "You’re not budging and I’m not letting you stay here alone. So I’m moving in."

"You could’ve at least brought a bottle of wine and a pizza if we’re shacking up."

"Didn’t realize this was going to be a honeymoon."

"You’re going to love the pillow I scream into at night. Very absorbent."

He arches an eyebrow. "You scream a lot, huh?"

"Wouldn’t you like to know."

Before he can answer, Maggie’s voice floats down from upstairs. "Is that Dalton?"

I glance up the stairwell. "Yeah. Rush and Cassidy are coming to take you back to their place. Dalton’s decided to play house with me."

She steps into view, eyebrows rising. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Dalton steps closer, tone firm but gentle. “Maggie, pack your essentials. Cassidy and Rush will be here any minute. They’ll get you somewhere safe.”

Maggie stares at him, then nods. "Okay."

Ten minutes later, headlights sweep the front porch. Cassidy strides in with Rush on her heels. Cassidy hugs Maggie tightly, whispering something only she can hear.

Rush nods to me. "You good with this?"

I glance at Dalton, who’s already rolled his duffel into the corner like this is just another Tuesday. "Not even a little," I mutter. "But he’s already staked his claim, so what choice do I have?"

Cassidy snorts. "Call if you need backup."

As they lead Maggie out, Dalton locks the door behind them and turns to me.

"You’re no fun," I accuse.

"I hear that a lot, and you talk too much."

"People say that, but they also say it’s part of my charm."

I head for the stairs, heart thudding, trying to decide the most appropriate thing to wear to bed in case of an assassination attempt. Upstairs, I open my bedroom door and stare into the space that felt safe this morning. Now it feels like it could easily become a crime scene.

I place my phone in the charger beside my bed. I pull off my clothes and head into the bath. From the bath, I hear it vibrate and buzz. Walking across to the bed, the phone screen lights up.

Unknown Number.

One new text. Two words.

TOO LATE.

And suddenly, I don’t know if I’ll survive the night.