Page 103 of Claimed By the Deputies

My blood boils at the sight of Sherry pointing a gun at Tassia, only to freeze when Trevor walks in and kills both Sherry and Dante without a second thought. There is no remorse on that man’s face. No fear. And then he grabbed Tassia and dragged her out like a ragdoll.

“Wherever he took her, we’ll be met with resistance,” Lucas says, drawing a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.

“We’ll respond in equal measure,” I declare.

My fuse has been lit, ignited into a raging inferno that will not be quelled until we get Tassia back. My conscience needs to take a backseat for what’s about to unfold.

There’s no other way to save Tassia and our unborn child. No other way to save our relationship and the semblance of a new life we’ve been building together.

Come hell or high water, we’re getting Tassia back.

29

TASSIA

Idon’t know where I am, but I know it took about half an hour to get here. Trevor blindfolded me for the trip. I registered the bumps, the sound of the highway, the declining temperature, and then silence. I think we’re closer to the Catskills. It’s colder there than in Frost Valley.

“You said it would go off without a hitch,” Dexter, the Stallions president, tells Trevor.

They’re seated at the dining table while I’m tied to a chair in the living room. I’ve got a clear view and earshot of them from where I’m sitting.

“Nothing ever goes entirely according to plan, but it’s fine, I’ve got this,” Trevor replies. He pours himself a double scotch, then refills Dexter’s glass. “What matters is the shipment is going through. By the time the Feds figure out what happened, it’ll be too late, and we’ll be long gone.”

“No, you’ll be long gone,” Dexter coldly reminds him. “Frost Valley ismytown. And I’ll be left to clean up after your mess.”

“It will be a lot more difficult to clean up if the sheriff and his two trusted deputies live,” Jake Merritt, the VP, intercedes, standing close to the window, looking out. He seems nervous, suspicious of every movement.

“They’re not going to live past tonight,” Trevor insists. “I’ve said it once, and I will keep saying it.”

“I’ve got about fifteen brothers to bury because of Riggs,” Dexter growls and slams his fist against the table. “Fifteen!”

“Then get better men!” Trevor snarls back. “It’s not my fault they couldn’t deliver. You assured me your guys could handle it. Had I known they couldn’t, I would’ve brought in outside help.”

Jake scoffs and crosses his arms. “Yeah, bring a handful of Sinaloans right into Frost Valley to kill the sheriff. That would’ve played well with the Feds.”

“You’re still going to have a federal presence here, no matter how your precious shipment goes,” I say loud enough for the three of them to hear me.

It’s a bold statement, but I can’t just sit around and wait for my ex-husband to kill me. If I can throw a wrench at his plans, then dammit, I will throw it. I’ll make what’s left of his project insanely difficult. Maybe in the ensuing confusion, I’ll either buy myself enough time for Lucas and the guys to find me, or I’ll find a way out of here myself.

If only I could figure out where here is.

“What is she saying?” Jake asks Trevor, giving me a doubtful sideways glance.

“Nothing. Ignore her. She’s a little mad at me right now. But I’ll handle my woman,” Trevor calmly replies.

“I’m not your woman anymore. I haven’t been since you lied to the cops and had me arrested and imprisoned for a crime I didn’t commit,” I remind him, then look at Jake and Dexter. “Don’t think for a second he won’t do the same to you in order to save his own ass. That’s what Trevor does. He’s loyal to no one but himself.”

“You need to learn when to shut the fuck up,” Trevor snarls.

Ignoring him, I continue. “You’re right about one thing, Jake,” I say, my focus on him and his president. “Frost Valley is yours. So I don’t know why the two of you are letting Trevor boss you around like he owns you.”

“He doesn’t own us,” Jake mutters.

“Your routes, your men, your logistical network. What does Trevor bring to the table aside from the cartel’s drug business, huh? He’s not even in charge of the operation. He’s only getting what I assume is a referral cut.”

All three men are staring at me, rather dumbfounded.

Dexter appears quite fascinated. “How do you know any of that?”

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