Page 60 of Once Removed (Blackhawk Security)

By the time Brody burst through the open door and raced toward the dark truck, the intruder had leapt into the cab and started it with a roar. In moments, the truck was speeding down the driveway, making no attempt to stay in the ruts. The truck swerved and shuddered as it hit all the bumps in the driveway.

Brody watched it go, memorizing everything about the truck. Dark color. License plate obscured with what looked like mud smeared over the numbers and letters. A cap on the bed of the truck he recognized as one of the most popular brands.

The driver had left the gate open, and he rattled over the cattle guard, then picked up speed as he hit the highway. The truck skidded as it turned, but the driver righted it and sped away from the ranch. As he reached the curve in the road, he turned on his lights.

Thank God Brody had been too eager to get his clothes off last night to take his phone out of his jeans pocket. He pulled it out of his pocket and dialed the sheriff.

“This is Brody Jones,” he said when the overnight dispatcher answered. “I just had a break-in at my house. When I woke up, he ran out and took off. He’s driving a dark truck, F-150, BestTop cap. License plate was obscured. Mud, I think. He’s heading toward Helena. Maybe someone can intercept him.”

“I’ll get someone on that right away, Brody,” the dispatcher Sally Levin said. He recognized her voice. “You want a deputy to come out tonight and take a statement?”

“It can wait until morning. I just told you everything I know. But I would like to know if you find him.”

“I’ll give you a call if we do,” she promised.

“Thanks, Sally,” Brody said, ending the call.

After staring in the direction the truck had disappeared, Brody hurried to his truck and pressed the transponder to close the gate. When it was secure, he re-entered the house. Checked the lock and realized the intruder had jimmied it open. He added ‘replace the lock’ to his mental ‘to do’ list, then hurried up the stairs. Lainey would be concerned.

When he reached his room, he found Lainey fully dressed and pulling on her shoes. She glanced up at him as he entered the room and wrapped her arms around him. “What happened?” she murmured.

Brody clenched his jaw. Forced himself to relax it as he held Lainey close. “Someone was in the house. Coming up the stairs,” he said, holding her against him. “The click of the door opening must have woken me up, then I heard a stair creak. I threw on my clothes, but as soon as I opened the bedroom door, he took off.”

He told Lainey the rest, then clenched his jaw. “I think he smeared mud on the license plate before he broke into the house.”

He sighed, leaning away to look at Lainey’s face. “I doubt he’s coming back, since he knows I spotted him. Let’s go back to bed.”

“Did you call the sheriff?” Lainey asked, holding tightly to him.

“I did. The dispatcher said she’d send out a deputy to try and intercept him.”

Lainey stared at him for a long moment. “If it’s the person who’s hanging around the compound,” she finally said, “he’ll have that truck hidden before the deputy is half-way there.”

“I know.” Brody tucked Lainey’s head into his neck. She comforted him. Eased some of his anger. But his fear for her and Phoebe gnawed at him until his stomach was in knots. “Not sure if it’s safe to keep you and Phoebe here,” he said roughly. “Maybe you’d be better off taking Phoebe back to your house.”

“Hell, no,” she said immediately. “If you think I’ll run away at the first sign of trouble, you don’t know me very well, Brody. And do you really think my house is more secure than your ranch?”

Brody sighed. “No, it’s not more secure. And I figured that’s what you’d say.” He brushed his chin against the top of her head, and his stubble caught in the heavy strands of her hair. Lainey made a tiny noise in her throat. The intimacy of the moment made him close his eyes. Savor it. “But I had to try.”

Then he stepped away. “Speaking of trouble, my alarm system should have warned me that someone had come in through the gate without using a transponder.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Pulled up the app for his alarm. Frowned as he studied it. Groaned.

“It did notify me, but I’d turned off the sound yesterday during a meeting,” he said, punching the volume icon on a little too hard. “Forgot to turn it back on, but it’s back on now. Damn it.”

He shoved the phone back into his pocket and speared his fingers through his hair.

Lainey stepped into him and nestled against him. “Nothing bad happened,” she murmured into his neck. “We’re fine. He got away, but maybe the deputy will catch him.”

“And maybe he’ll disappear, just like you said.” He pulled her shirt over her head, then removed her jeans and underwear. Stripping off his own clothes, he urged her onto the bed, then slid in beside her. “Think you can go back to sleep?” he asked.

“Eventually,” she said, her voice a sexy purr in the darkness. “I have some ideas how we can relax.” She slid on top of him, and he grabbed her hips and stroked her silky skin. “I’m all ears,” he said, his voice a dark rasp in the quiet room.”

“Not your ears I’m interested in right now,” she said, leaning down and kissing him. Her breasts brushed against his chest, and he groaned.

“Tell me,” he begged.

“I’d much rather show you,” she said as she lifted her hips and took him inside.

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