Page 97 of Claimed By the Deputies

“First of all, Trevor wasn’t supposed to get out of prison early,” she says.

“Tell us something we don’t already know.”

“He worked out some kind of deal with high-ranking prisoners in Sing Sing who had connections to a dirty judge. I met the guy and we did the whole I accuse and he feigns outrage dance, but he did let a few things slip. Trevor got himself involved with the Sinaloa cartel. Did a few favors, greased the right wheels while in prison, but they couldn’t pin any of it on him. The cartel’s people covered for him.”

“So we know he’s in cahoots with one of the biggest drug cartels in the Americas. Okay.” I sigh deeply as a headache begins to test the edges of my consciousness.

“It gets worse,” Patterson says. “I shook my CIs down, made some calls, saw some people. He didn’t pick Frost Valley forthe cartel because of the lucrative network opportunities with Hamilton and the Silver Stallions. He had better options to set up shop. He came there for Tassia. He’s hell bent on getting her back.”

“Over my dead body.”

“Yeah, well, careful what you wish for. Word got out a few minutes ago across the network that Trevor is gunning for law enforcement and anyone who gets in their way,” she says. “He’s paying off crooked cops and killing those who don’t comply, all so they can get that massive shipment to come in through Frost Valley and for Trevor to get to his ex-wife.”

Tyler gives me a startled look. “Shit, that’s why they came at you.”

“Who came at who?” Patterson asks.

“Laura, get your ass back down here ASAP, and bring all the guns and trusted manpower you can with you. I can confirm that Trevor just launched a war operation against the sheriff’s department in Frost Valley. My guess is the mayor will help cover this up along with the DA, and any deputies he paid off.”

“Shit, it’s already started,” she says. “I’m on my way. Keep me in the loop, gentlemen. Trevor is either bold enough to go down with his guns blazing or he simply got in too deep with the Sinaloa cartel and has no choice. Nabbing Tassia will be the consolation prize for this particularly dangerous animal, even more so when he’s cornered.”

I don’t like the sound of that.

We don’t have all the game pieces on the board yet. We’re still missing important details. Structure. Motive for the killings. Ablueprint of the distribution network. I fear we won’t get any of it unless we can get the mayor or the Silver Stallions leadership to talk, but they’re letting Trevor fucking Callaghan take the lead.

“Tassia is in danger,” Mitch mutters, the gravity of the situation quick to sink in.

26

TASSIA

After speaking with Tyler over the phone and hearing the news they received from Patterson, my synapses begin firing at an impressive speed. I’m sharp, but it’s been a while since I’ve been in such a heightened survival mode. I’d almost forgotten what I’m capable of, in terms of strategy against anyone out to hurt me or those I love.

I’ll be careful, I text Tyler.

Stay in the cabin.Keep the doors and windows locked. Call if anything happens. We’re on our way back.

With newfound determination, I begin to take every possible move into consideration. This voice recording is precious. People will kill me and anyone else they can in order to get to it. I need to make sure it reaches the station, but based on everything Tyler just told me, the station is no longer safe.

I pull over outside the post office. Carefully looking around, I make sure no one follows me as I hurry into the building. Thankfully, there isn’t much foot traffic at this hour. I slip the recording device’s memory card into a protected envelope andmail it to the DEA offices in Denning to Agent Laura Patterson’s attention.

I’m trusting you with this, I write in my note.

The urgency makes my hands shake, but I manage to seal the envelope and drop it into the mail slot before jumping back into my car. I should go home, but is home even safe right now?

If Patterson is right, then Trevor and his goons are scouring the town and its surroundings looking for me. He could find me at Lucas’s place. And by the time my men make it back, it could be too late.

I wish Tim was here to guide me.

I keep to the side streets and the lesser crowded areas as I cruise around, trying to figure out what I’m going to do, until a thought crosses my mind. Tim’s cabin. Dante is still there. I’ve got a clear path into the woods from that place. If push comes to shove, I could go into the wild. There’s a signal up until about a mile into the forest.

“It’ll be easier to escape from Tim’s cabin than from Lucas’s,” I mutter to myself, making my decision with a sharp yank of the steering wheel.

The country road leading up to the cabin is sinuous and rocky, but at least I don’t have a tail. I made it safely back onto the mountain without anyone following me.

With a heavy breath, I hurry into Tim’s cabin. I stop in the living room doorway as soon as I see her. Standing beside Dante is Sherry. She’s removed his cuffs, and he’s smiling, rubbing his bruised wrists. There’s an open takeaway bag on the coffee table, the smell of fried chicken in the air.

“Sherry,” I manage with a trembling voice. “What are you doing here?”

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