Nelson stiffened, once against poking the barrel of the gun in her ribs. “That’s okay. I’ve still got her. How the hell did you know?”
Ace’s lips twitched, but it held no amusement. “I always know what’s going on in my town.” His eyes narrowed with renewed fury. “Although sometimes it takes longer to get to the truth. I’m sorry for that.” His gaze met hers again. “I know everything, Erin.”
When Erin mouthed FBI, Ace nodded once. “All of it.”
She felt something warm and wet trickling down the side of her face. “Nelson wants me to take him to where I hid the money.”
Ace smiled, a cold smile that sent a chill down Erin’s spine. “You know I can’t let that happen.”
Nelson yanked at Erin’s arm, making her head swim when he slammed her against the car. “It doesn’t look like you have any choice.”
Ace shook his head. “She doesn’t have your money. Cramer does.”
“Liar!”
“You’re not leaving with her. Give it up, Stark. You’re surrounded.”
Whipping her around, Nelson pressed back against the car, holding her directly in front of him.
To her left, Linc and Rafe held guns on Stark, their lips moving her only indication that they spoke in low voices to someone.
Despite the pain in her head and Stark’s strong hold, Erin managed to shift slightly, her heart in her throat when she saw her three white-faced husbands off to the side with two FBI agents moving in front of them.
Meeting each of her husbands’ gazes, she blinked back tears, horrified that they had to endure seeing her in such a position. Mouthing, I love you. I’m sorry, she took a shaky breath, jolting and spinning toward Ace when he barked her name.
* * * *
Jared fought to stay upright, his knees turning to rubber as he watched a scene worse than his most terrifying nightmare play out in front of him.
His wife was being held by a man with a gun.
He and his brothers had arrived just in time to see Stark hit her in the temple with the gun he held.
His rage had a red haze forming behind his eyes as he leapt for him, only to be stopped by the FBI agent who’d crept up behind him.
Linc and the other FBI agents held his brothers as Rafe kept a gun pointed at Stark.
Not taking his eyes from the man who now held a gun to Erin’s neck, Rafe shifted his position when Linc took his place beside him again. “I know how you feel, but all of our attention has to be on Stark and Erin. Distracting us and Stark is gonna get her hurt.”
Clenching his jaw, Jared nodded, his entire body going cold. “I know, damn it.”
Standing back and watching went against every instinct, but Jared knew he and his brothers had no choice.
“Erin!” Ace’s booming voice had all eyes turning in his direction, but the sheriff had eyes for only Erin and Stark. “Keep your eyes on me, Erin.”
Jared held his breath when Erin nodded, his jaw clenching tighter when he saw her wince at the small movement.
He’d never been so scared.
Stark’s movements became even jerkier, his eyes wild with panic. “She’s coming with me. Once I get my money, I’ll let her go. Don’t try to stop us. I’ll shoot her, I swear.”
Ace took a step closer, moving so slowly that Jared barely noticed. “You’ve got that gun pressed against her neck. If you shoot her, she won’t be able to tell you a damned thing.”
Although the street was empty, Jared knew that several people stood around, held back by his friends and neighbors.
One of the FBI agents stepped forward and started to speak, but a sharp look from Ace, who clearly had taken charge of the situation, had the other man backing off with a nod of frustration.
“I don’t want an outsider handling this.” Reese’s low murmur came from Jared’s left.
Without looking away from Erin, Jared inclined his head. “I think the feds know that.”
Linc spoke from several yards in front of them. “They do. Ace knows that, too. Quiet.”
Jared held his breath when Stark slid the gun lower, pressing it against Erin’s side again. “Then I guess you’d better back off so we can leave.”
“You’re not leaving with Erin.” Ace’s voice had lowered even more, but his voice carried in the dead silence surrounding them. “Erin, Joe Garrison is real fond of you.”
Jared stiffened, fighting the impulse to look around and give away the deputy’s position.
The Garrison brothers, former U.S. Marshals, had recently come to Desire for a new start.
Proud of his new hires, Ace had let the residents of Desire know about the unique qualifications each man possessed.