Page 46 of Rancher's Strength

It was the code that the five of us used whenever we needed to gather quickly. I had never kept secrets from Lexie, so she knew everything, including the codes. She had been the only woman around back then, and I hated lying to her. She also needed to know in case she ever had to bail us out.

And judging from the pings as replies came in, I wasn't the only one who received the text.

Kipp: I’m here.

Griff: On the way.

Linc: Give me five, and I’m there.

Lexie: I’m just leaving town.

Ryder: WTF Lex?

Lexie: I’ll explain when we’re together.

Walking into the large log house that had been my sanctuary after she left me, I kicked off my boots and headed to the kitchen, where the commotion was coming from. “Anyone know what this is about?” I asked, grabbing a cookie off the plate Nora had set in the middle of the island, and all the guys shook their heads.

Minutes ticked by, and I wanted to hurl the large clock out the door. We were all a little on edge. These kinds of moments were becoming a bit too frequent again. The shrill ring of my phone sliced through the silence. Grabbing it from my pocket, I answered.

“Ryder, I’m being followed.” Lexie’s panicked voice sent ice through my veins, and my mind went completely blank.

“What do you mean?” I stuttered.

“I don’t know, Ryder, how many ways can a person be followed?” Her fear had turned to sarcasm, and I couldn’t help but smile. There she was—the woman I was married to wasn’t someone to cower in fear; she faced it head-on.

“Your sass isn’t helping, sweetheart.” She groaned, and the guys shook their heads. “Any idea who it is?”

“It’s a red sports car, not from around here. I can’t see the plates but it’s impractical for these roads. It doesn’t fit—doesn’t make sense.” Her voice trailed off like she was trying to work through her thoughts.

“We’re on our way,” I said quickly.

“Hurry,” she whispered, and my heart shattered. If anything happened to her, anyone involved wouldn’t have a safe place. I waited for her to say more, but the line was quiet. Fuck, she must be in the dead zone between here and town. At least that gave me a location for her, and she wasn’t far.

“Someone’s following Lex,” I said as I bolted out of the kitchen to my truck. Each of us climbed into one of the black trucks and tore out of the ranch. We didn’t have to talk. We knew what needed to be done. Slamming my foot into the accelerator, my tires screeched, and gravel flew as I turned onto the highway.

When her vehicle came into view, Kipp and Nash each slowed down and pulled off to the side. In the rearview mirror, I saw both trucks turn and wait for her to get closer. I pulled off and turned my truck so I could drive beside her while Griff and Linc followed behind.

Lexie slowed as she pulled up alongside me. The fear in her eyes made me want to rip out the throat of whoever was following her. I pointed ahead, and she nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Call Lex,” I said into the air, and I watched her frown when her phone started ringing. She hit the button on the steering wheel to answer.

“Hey sexy, what’s happening?” My voice was much lighter than my soul felt as I watched her crack a smile.

“Oh, you know, just out taking a leisurely drive.” She kept her eyes focused on the road.

“We’ve got you.”

“Never doubted it.” She turned and smiled tightly at me.

“Want me to stay on the phone with you?”

There was no way in hell I was hanging up this phone.

“Yes,” she whispered. We drove side by side in silence. I slowed to let her fall in line behind Nash as we turned into the ranch. I hadn’t looked behind to see if the red car was still there; my eyes were locked on the woman ahead of me.

Pulling to a stop, I flung the truck door open and reached Lexie’s car before she had even opened her door. I reached in, pulled her out of the car, and wrapped her in my arms. “Are you okay?” I whispered.

“I’m fine, thanks to you. I think it was Tucker.” She buried her head in my neck and relaxed against me.

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