Lindsey’s Wolves(78)

Ryan stopped her in her tracks on the billionth path. “You’re wearing a hole in the floor.” He didn’t crack a smile, just took her in his arms and held her … again.

Lindsey groaned. “I’ve got it. We don’t need to run through any more scenarios.”

She was uneasy about the amount of police involvement. There’d been no way in the world to stop Alex and Ryan from calling the authorities, and on one level she wholeheartedly agreed, but Jess’s life was at stake. She didn’t want to fuck this up even if she had to give up her own life to spare her friend.

“Nothing is going to happen to you. We won’t let it.” Alex reached out to her from somewhere outside. Babysitting duty was Ryan’s this morning.

While Lindsey was concerned about how much the police and her new family could possibly be a threat to the rescue, they were just as equally insistent that she not even show up at all.

Alex and Ryan had emphatically insisted she stay out of it in the beginning. No way in the world were they going to risk her life by sending her to the “wolves.”

In the end, the police agreed to a certain extent with Lindsey. She should go into the church at noon as demanded, by all appearances alone.

The building would be surrounded. She’d have an invisible ear mic so the officer in charge could communicate with her.

Of course there was no way for the police to realize she had a far better form of communication readily in place with Alex and Ryan. Thank goodness.

Even if things went awry, she could always let them know what was going on.

The officer cleared his throat and walked into her line of sight, narrowing his gaze on her. “Don’t say anything more than necessary when you get inside. Just ask the questions we discussed. Hopefully you’ll get the answers we need on tape to arrest these people and put an end to this once and for all.”

Ryan squeezed her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her middle. No matter how tight he held her now, or what sort of cocoon he imagined he could use to protect her, he was going to have to let go soon. The clock was ticking.

“Got it.” Lindsey nodded agreement.

“What if they have weapons?” Ryan asked.

They’d been over this. Lindsey rolled her eyes toward the police officer so Ryan couldn’t see. “Weapons of God?” She tried to laugh, but it came out sounding forced.

“Ha ha.” He tightened his grip and she wiggled to get free.

“You’re squishing the breath out of me.” She twisted around to face him. “I’ll be fine. I know these people, don’t forget. I’ll do what I have to do to play along and get Jess out of there.”

“And then what? What about you?” His brow furrowed and he gave her a shake.

“Then I run like hell if I have to. We have every possible scenario covered, Ryan. Everything from someone grabbing me, to weapons, to an eternal prayer service for my soul. I’ll be perfectly safe. Hell, cops will be everywhere.”

“I don’t like it.” He laid his forehead against hers. “But, seeing as you’re stubborn and you’ll be surrounded, I’ll bite my tongue. I love you.” The last words came out on a breath. “Don’t do anything foolish or I’ll have to punish you for giving me heart failure.” This he whispered right inside her ear so no one could overhear. Thank goodness.

The smile on his face when he gazed back into her eyes was all she needed to know what kind of punishment he had in mind. Perhaps she’d be just a little less compliant with the plan than arranged, just for the opportunity to experience his kind of discipline.

“Don’t look at me like that you little imp.”

“We should go. It’s almost time to meet with the rest of the team at the motel across the street from His Mighty Sword.” The officer shook his head in disbelief at the name of the church alone, and not for the first time.

Ryan and Lindsey followed Officer Hammond outside and met Alex at the car. The rest of the family was coming toward them from every direction. Every detail was planned. Ryan and Alex would take Lindsey. Charles, Richard, and Aaron climbed into another truck.

Michael stood to the side, still pouting about being left out to stay back with Nancy and Tessa. The farm was bustling with several other men working on the land, but Michael was only twenty and deemed too young to accompany them.

Tessa hugged Lindsey before she stepped up into the truck. “Be safe. Please.”

“I will.” She turned to Nancy who stood a few steps back with watery eyes and nodded. “Don’t worry.”

This was her family now. She’d never had so many people love her unconditionally like this.