Page 49 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Lemon’s blood was boiling. “We’ll never beat Wesley at his own game. He was playing the politician, trying to make me look unstable.” She lifted her chin. “I’m done with him manipulating me.”

Jaxson turned to her, his eyes larger than two full moons. “Why did you do that?”

She blew out a breath. “When I fled Wesley’s house the night Jacklyn fell down the stairs, Wesley kept calling me. I ignored his calls. Finally, he called me from an anonymous number. Wesley was playing nice just now because he knows that his number can be traced. I’m trying to force his hand so that he’ll call me from a burner phone and show his true colors.” She looked at her phone, hoping that her hunch was correct.

“I sure hope you’re right,” Knox said, his head swinging back and forth.

Lemon’s phone rang. It was a number she didn’t recognize. She pressed the button to answer, putting the call on speaker. “Hello,” she said tentatively.

“Don’t you dare hang up on me,” Wesley snarled.

She felt a flash of triumph that her instinct was right on the money.

“You will meet me.”

“Or what?” she challenged.

His voice grew sly, menacing. “How’s Shade doing?”

A bolt of dread darted through Lemon.

“It would be a shame if anything happened to Paul or Shade’s boys.”

Her throat tightened as she swallowed. “Don’t hurt them.” She heard the fear in her own voice. She detested what Wesley was doing to her and everyone around her.

“The ball’s in your court here,” Wesley said pleasantly. “It’s like I told you before. You belong to me. The sooner you realize that the better off we’ll all be.”

Wesley spoke with arrogance, like he was untouchable. Lemon glanced at Jaxson. His expression was livid.

“Here’s how this is gonna go. Meet me at Pinkerton Park tomorrow night at nine pm at the playground. Come alone or someone in Shade’s family dies. You know what I’m capable of. Don’t try to cross me.” He hung up.

“Well, it looks like our meeting’s tomorrow night,” Knox said with a grim determination. “Did you get that?” he asked into the large, black desk phone on Chief Blankenship’s desk.

“Got it,” Ramsey clipped. “I’ll be there.”

Jaxson looked at Lemon. “You did good. For the record, even when Wesley was playing Mr. Nice, I never doubted you.”

An appreciative smile touched her lips. “Thank you.” She was so grateful to have Jaxson and his family in her corner.

“I’m sorry for all that you’re going through,” Jaxson added.

The tenderness in his voice brought tears to her eyes. She nodded, looking down at the floor.

“Did anyone catch the part about Pinkerton Park?” Ramsey asked.

Lemon rewound the conversation back, trying to figure out what he meant, but her brain was too muddled to reach any conclusion.

Jaxson pushed out a heavy breath. “I caught it.” He looked at Lemon. “Wesley knows where you are.”

She gasped softly. “How?” she stammered. She wouldn’t have thought that Wesley could frighten her any more than he already had, but him knowing where she was jolted her to the center, stripping away her confidence. Her lungs squeezed. She forced herself to take in a steady breath. She had to push past the fear. She had to be strong and face this.

Knox stroked his chin. “He might’ve been tailing Lexi. She said he stopped by the restaurant where she worked yesterday, demanding to know where you were.”

Lemon’s hand went over her chest. “Do you think Lexi’s in danger?”

“It’s hard to say,” Knox mused. “Just in case, I’ll call Dylan and Lucas. Tell them to keep a close eye on Lexi.”

Lemon hugged her arms. “I’ll be so glad when this is over.”

---