plan.
Without warning, the truck swerved toward her, slamming into the side of her smaller truck. Her whole body crashed against the door. She struggled to keep control, but weight was against her. In a battle of sheer tonnage, the larger truck would win. Slowly she was pushed off the road.
If the embankment had been steep, she would have rolled for sure. As it was, she simply drove off onto the dirt. The two other vehicles sped away.
Dana slowed, then came to a stop. She reached for the notebook she kept in her glove box and wrote down both license plates. The plates or the vehicles were probably stolen, but the information would be a start. She got out of her truck and was pleased that her legs weren’t shaking at all. Her left arm hurt and she’d banged the hell out of her knee, but otherwise she was fine.
After drawing in a few deep breaths to chase away the adrenaline, she circled her truck to survey the damage. The whole passenger side was smashed in. It wasn’t pretty.
Someone had sent her a warning to back off. A very clear warning that would cost a few thousand dollars to fix. Had circumstances been different, she could have been seriously hurt. Someone else might have taken the admonition to heart, but not her. If Jed Titan thought this was enough to scare her away, he didn’t know her at all.
CHAPTER NINE
GARTH MET WITH MITCH, Cruz and Nick shortly before five in the afternoon. They’d picked a quiet bar by the freeway. It was the sort of place that didn’t get much action before nine or ten, which suited them just fine. They only needed an out-of-the-way place to talk.
The other three men were already there when Garth arrived. He’d left his suit jacket in the car, but was still the only guy wearing a tie. They were all successful, but completely different. Under normal circumstances, they were unlikely allies, but Jed and the Titan sisters had brought them together.
Four beers sat on the table. Garth took the one in front of his chair and swallowed.
“Jed came by to see me,” he said.
Mitch’s mouth twisted. “Lucky you.”
“He’s having a bit of a cash flow problem. He put his racing horses up for sale. I bought them.”
Nick looked at him. “He found out?”
Garth shrugged. “He wasn’t happy about it. He threatened to take my plan to buy him out to the shareholders, not that they would mind.”
“You think he will?” Cruz asked.
“Maybe. It won’t change anything. I’m more concerned about the other things he said. He didn’t come out and threaten the women, but it was implied. I would say he didn’t have it in him, but after what happened with Izzy…” He shook his head. “He’s dangerous.”
The other men exchanged glances.
Country music played in the background. A couple of guys were playing pool at the table in the center of the room. A few other customers were talking or already so drunk they could barely stay seated.
“We’ll have to take precautions,” Nick said flatly. “Izzy’s at the ranch most of the time, so there’s some distance between her and Jed.”
Cruz drew in a breath. “I worry about Lexi. She’s living with me, so she’s safe at night, but what about during the day?”
Garth knew Cruz was also concerned about Lexi’s advancing pregnancy. “I know a couple of good bodyguards. They’re discreet. She wouldn’t necessarily have to know they were watching her.”
“And when she finds out?” Cruz asked. “Hell, I’ll take the fight. It would be worth it. Sure. Give me the names.”
“Me, too,” Mitch said. “Skye and Erin are vulnerable when they’re away from the ranch.”
Garth wanted to say even Jed wouldn’t hurt his own granddaughter, but he didn’t know that for sure. Not anymore.
“What about Dana?” Mitch asked. “You think she’s safe?”
Garth didn’t have an answer for that. Dana was more capable of taking care of herself than any of the sisters. She was a cop. But she’d also known Jed all her life-she’d stayed in his house, spent holidays with him. Would she be willing to take him on or would she hesitate? Indecision could be fatal.
“I’ll talk to her,” he said. “If I explain the situation, she’ll take precautions. Maybe move in for a while.”
All three men stared at him.
“You want Dana living with you?” Nick asked, sounding stunned.
“It would keep her safe.”
“Dana? Seriously?” Cruz shrugged. “Whatever floats your boat.”
“Hey, back off,” Garth said, a warning tone to his voice.
Cruz raised both his hands. “Sorry, man. She’s great. Not my type, but great.”
Mitch looked at him with a combination of curiosity and pity. “You’re going to ask her to move in with you so you can protect her?”
Why did everyone keep saying Dana wasn’t his type? What did they know about his type? He shook off the question and turned to Mitch.
“She’s smart. She’ll agree.”
Mitch grinned. “Sorry I’m going to miss the explosion. Dana’s not big on being told what to do and she’s always had a problem with men trying to run her life.” He glanced around the table. “I went to high school with her. She’s pretty damned intimidating.”
Garth wanted to get more details. How well had Mitch known Dana in high school? Did they have a history?
“I can handle her,” Garth said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Conversation shifted to their next move. Cruz was working with some of his ATF friends. Mitch had been talking to the FBI.
“That’s going to take too long,” Garth grumbled. “I’m still going after him financially. That’s faster. Once he’s backed into a corner, he’ll do something stupid. Then we’ll get him.”
“You have to be careful,” Mitch warned. “I’ve known Jed all my life. Back him into a corner and there’s no telling how he’ll react. He could hurt someone.”
“Which is why we want the women protected,” Nick said. “I’m with Garth. Taking everything he’s worked for is quick and legal. We’re in control.”
Garth appreciated Nick’s support. Not just because he believed in his plan but because it could be a sign that Nick was willing to if not forgive, then at least give Garth another opportunity to make up for what he’d done.
The men discussed various options for a few more minutes, then Cruz and Mitch left. Nick stayed behind.
“What else did Jed say?” Nick asked.
“He threatened me. I’ve got the conversation recorded.”
Nick nodded. “He’s dangerous, mostly because he’s too arrogant to believe he can be caught or he can lose. That’ll make him unpredictable.”
“Agreed. We’ll plan for what we can and take the rest as it comes.”
Nick finished his beer and set the bottle on the table. “Izzy thinks you’re coming along just fine. A few more weeks and you’ll be domesticated. That true?”
“Izzy’s determined.”
“Must be a family trait.”
“Maybe.” Garth still had trouble thinking of the Titan sisters as family. He knew he was related to them, but that was different. There was more distance when one spoke of “relations” than family.
“I’m sorry,” Garth told him. “About everything.”
Nick’s gaze was steady. “I believe you. Izzy is convinced this is all going to work out. Is she right?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure of what it means to have them in my life.”
