Page 31 of Rescuing Baylee

As she made her way to the bedroom, Landon watched her go, feeling a strange sense of responsibility settle over him. He wasn’t just a cop on a case anymore. He was someone she trusted, and that meant something. It meant everything.

Once she was out of sight, Landon pulled out his phone and dialed Morgan. He answered on the second ring.

“Hey, what’s the latest?” Landon asked, keeping his voice low.

“We’re tracking the Hellcat,” Morgan replied. “It’s registered to a Consuela Ortiz, Chino’s mother. She’s been on our radar for harboring, but this is the first time we’ve had something concrete to connect her to the gang’s recent activities.”

Landon felt a surge of anger. “So, it’s probably Hector, then, that shot the place up. I have a feeling he’s the one pulling the strings for the gang, now.”

“Looks like it,” Morgan confirmed. “Yeah, I’m working with Detective Mills in gangs, and that’s what he thinks, too. Although he’s heard some grumbling on the street about the way the Vegas deal with things. He’s keeping tabs on him, but he’s slippery. We need more than just the car to tie him to the shooting.”

“We’ll get it,” Landon said, his voice hard. “What about tonight? We’re heading over to Baylee’s apartment to get hercat, and she’s insisting upon going with me. Any sign of them watching the place?”

“Not yet,” Morgan said. “But we’ll be nearby, just in case. If Hector’s involved, he might be unpredictable.”

Landon clenched his jaw. “We’ll be ready.”

“You know it’s not a good idea to take her, right? I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

He sighed. “Yeah, I know. She’ll stay with me, and honestly, she knows how to take care of herself. I’ll text you in a bit.”

After hanging up, he stood in the quiet living room, his thoughts racing. Hector Vega was a dangerous man, and if he was gunning for Baylee, things could escalate quickly. But Landon wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. Not on his watch.

He checked the time again. A couple more hours before they had to move. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the adrenaline coursing through him. This wasn’t just about protecting a witness anymore. Baylee had become more than that to him, and he couldn’t let her down.

He walked back to the kitchen and leaned against the counter by the sink, staring out into the night. His phone buzzed again—another update from Morgan about the car’s movements—but his thoughts kept drifting back to Baylee.

He couldn’t help but wonder how things would be different if they’d met under other circumstances. But then, what were the ideal circumstances to meet the woman you… really wanted? His mind had almost veered in a different direction, and he’d had to drag it back.

For now, he had to focus on keeping her safe. Anything beyond that would have to wait.

The hours passed slowly, each minute ticking by with agonizing slowness. Finally, it was time. Landon knocked softly on the bedroom door. “Baylee? It’s time to go.”

She emerged a moment later, looking more rested but still tense. Her long blond hair was in a tight braid hanging over her shoulder. “Okay. Let’s get Siggy.”

Landon gave her a reassuring smile, holding his fist out for her to bump. “We’ve got this.”

Nodding, she bumped his fist and followed him into the night.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Landon drove Baylee through the quiet streets, the darkness of the night wrapping around them like a cloak. The air was thick with anticipation, every shadow seeming to hold a threat just out of sight. Landon was hyper-aware of his surroundings, his instincts honed by years on the job, but tonight felt different. Tonight, the stakes were higher. And he was cussing himself for taking a victim directly into possible danger. He’d messaged his lieutenant to let her know what was going on, and he’d gotten her blessing, but it still went against his training and every one of his protective instincts to take Baylee out.

For a damned cat…

Hopefully, they could sneak in and out and no one would be the wiser. She could get her cat and pack a quick bag of essentials, and they would be gone, letting the gang suppression unit deal with the Vegas.

A block away from the apartment building, they pulled alongside a parked Austin PD car. They were under the cover of a large oak tree. Landon rolled down his window and turned off the engine of his car.

“Hey, Porter.”

“Hey, Hunter. I’ve been here about thirty minutes, and I haven’t seen anything. Two of the undercover guys are walking the street, and I have another marked unit about a block on the opposite side. If you have any problems, we’re close.”

Hunter nodded. “I appreciate this. I’ll let you know when we’re gone.”

Porter shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. We were just dispatched here for the night, till Gangs lets us go.”

Hunter snorted. “Sorry, dude. Could be a boring night.”