Page 9 of Operation: Return

“That, and I can look for a job when I’m inevitably fired for whatever reason they decide this time. They didn’t even give me a reason at this job. My position was eliminated.”

He didn’t seem bothered by her admission and kept talking. “What about unemployment benefits? Is that an option to help you?”

She appreciated that he was actually paying attention to the conversation, but she hadn’t worked at any one place long enough to use the benefit. Admitting that would make her sound like she felt, like a failure. “That wouldn’t work for me.”

He gave a single nod as he drove into the darkness. “Then we’ll have to make sure you don’t go home to nothing when this month is done.”

ChapterFour

The whole ride, Cole had been trying to talk to Erica but she was fairly closed off from him giving little more than one or two word answers. She’d told him about her job, but little else. Mostly, he’d wanted to distract her from the fact that a car had again appeared behind him.

Since there hadn’t been anyone for a long time, and now there was, tension coursed through him. This stretch of road, at this time of night, he was sure he should’ve been the only one out here. He eased off the gas to see the car better. Just as he suspected, they backed off just like he had.

He could not bring a tail back to the ranch and he couldn’t call Edwyn in front of everyone. That would worry Erica and Trace. Plus, he had a little boy in his car which meant he had to be even more careful. Erica’s son was a cute kid and that was hard for him to admit. He didn’t usually like children.

There was one town between where they were and Piper’s Ridge. It was bigger, so there were more options than in Piper’s Ridge which only had a motel similar to the one Trace had been living in. He was not bringing them there if he could avoid it. If this was someone with Viceroy, how had he been found?

He eased off the highway and headed for another gas station. “You look like you could use a stretch before we get there.” Not that he wanted her to go anywhere alone with the potential of losing her when he’d just found her.

“I’d rather stretch when we get there. What is this place?” She stifled a yawn behind her hand.

He peeked in the back seat and both Trace and Pete stared at him, though Pete was obviously sleepy. “We have someone tailing us and I can’t lead them back to the ranch. My gut says we should stay at a bigger hotel here where we can stay in a place with a larger police force and secure parking lots.”

“Following us? What do you mean?” Erica’s eyes widened and she glanced all over the parking area then zeroed in on the entrance to the gas station as the same blue car pulled in with the same two men sitting in it.

“Those guys have either been oddly on the same route as I’ve been for this entire trip, or I’m being followed.”

“Take me home,” Erica whispered. “I can’t do this. I don’t know who you are or what you’re into, but I can’t do this.”

He couldn’t blame her for her fear, though he wished she felt safer with him. That would come. Trace on the other hand narrowed his eyes at Cole like he’d intentionally lured him into a trap.

Cole held up his hand. “I will not let them near any of you. Understand? I’ve got to find a hotel with a suite so all of us have a place to sleep, one that allows dogs.” Because he wasn’t leaving Bubbles out in the car.

What were the chances that he was overreacting? While he tended to get angry easily lately, this felt real. He should pay attention. He’d been at Erica’s house for over an hour. They had to have parked nearby and watched him.

Which meant they’d also watched him when he’d picked up Trace. “Trace, text me. Was anyone else from the raid living in that motel? Anyone who was rescued?”

Trace pulled out his phone and his fingers flew over the screen. A text message soon popped up.

No, I was the only one there. Most of the others stayed in Wyoming, but I had medical issues and needed to see a doctor. Since the Cheyenne ER was full, I was sent to Boulder, so stayed nearby.

Erica stared at him like she wanted to know everything, what Trace had said, why she was there, why she couldn’t go home . . . He’d answer all of her questions as soon as he made sure they were safe.

“Do you need to get any food or use the restroom while we’re here?”

Erica’s shook her head so hard there was no doubt about her fears. Trace narrowed his eyes and gave one small shake.

“Then we’ll make do with what we have here in the car and I’ll find a room. When we park, I want you to go right inside. Don’t grab your bags, don’t wait in the car for me to check in, get inside. Understand?”

Everyone nodded except Pete and the dog who had both fallen back to sleep. Poor Pete’s head lolled forward. He’d have a terrible crimp in his neck in the morning. Cole left the parking lot and followed the signs to a large, well-lit parking lot of a huge hotel chain. Normally, he liked mom-and-pop places the best, but today this would be best for safety.

He felt a buzz from his phone and he pulled it out. Trace had sent him another text.

Is this Viceroy’s men? I thought they were arrested? I thought I was safe to live my life? Nothing had happened until you contacted me. I don’t like this.

He didn’t like it either. He was on the road without the protection of his friends or the ranch. He didn’t know the police in this town and with two of those men and only one of him, he was out-manned and out-gunned. Erica was armed, but he had no way of knowing if she’d ever even shot the weapon.

Instead of answering out loud, which would’ve made Erica ask more questions, he answered on his phone.