DINA WATCHED TREVOR ease into the driver’s seat. She was baffled by what she’d just been privy to.

“What exactly did I just see?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“That.” She gestured at the antique shop’s windows. “Make this place a bar and those women men. It’s my dad’s office.”

“Sounds about right to me. Shit. Two of them got me good.” He rubbed his thigh.

“What was that about? Pinch tax?”

“Long story.” Trevor laughed and buckled his seat belt. “Let’s just say, I deserve it for all the shit I pulled over the years.”

“You’re a cop and they’re harassing you,” Dina said between bites.

“Yeah, and most of those women could have buried my ass.”

“Okay.”

“So what is a pinch tax?”

“It’s complicated, but it’s payment.”

“Are they going to pinch me next time?”

“Probably not, but I wouldn’t put it past them.”

Trevor clearly wasn’t alarmed or bothered by the whole thing. Dina wasn’t fond of the idea, but maybe there was more to it. Something she didn’t get.

“Do you think Pearl got the license plate?” she asked.

“We’ll find out when her son picks her up and takes her home. Won’t be for a couple hours.”

“Where to now?”

“The Love Barn.”

“For Jenna, right?” Dina knew the woman was engaged, but it didn’t stop the claws of jealousy from raking her insides.

“Yup.”

“Who is Jenna?” Dina asked.

“I told you, she’s on my team.”

“You’re her...bride’s man? You two are close?”

“Yeah. Jenna’s like my sister. Her family used to own the big store in town before the fire. Her parents moved away, had her, then moved back the last few years of high school. She was always a tomboy, played a lot of sports. Then she went into the army, became a medic and I didn’t see her until she retired and came home. Now she’s our tactical medic.”

Trevor pointed the SUV north and hit on a county road leading out of town.

“Did you two ever date?” It sounded like someone he might have hit it off with.

“Me and Jenn? No. No way.” Trevor shook his head.

“Are you dating anyone?” Dina folded her napkin, her breakfast gone. She hadn’t stopped to consider that Trevor’s romantic life had gone on without her in the picture. “I mean, if you’re with someone you could have told me last night. I didn’t even stop to think about it.”

“I would have told you.” Trevor glanced at her. “I’m not like that.”

“Good.” Dina had no right to Trevor. He didn’t owe her anything. It didn’t stop her from wanting him to herself.

They fell into silence as he drove a winding road out of town.

“Where is this place?” she asked.

“It’s the Lively family property. It’s about thirty acres of grazing land. The Love Barn is this big, old thing that’s been there for...shit, over a hundred years. It used to be a kind of town co-op where people stored hay, feed, sometimes animals. How it came to be the Lively’s is a point of contention. Just about every family has a story.”

“And your friend is getting married in a barn?” Dina squinted. There was a hill ahead, just past the city limit sign, and sitting on top was a tall, brown barn.

“Oh, that’s a funny story. So, at the time the oldest Lively brother, Garth, was the only one living here. This car pulls up while he’s out in the field helping birth a calf, and it’s this woman. Says she was driving by, saw the barn and wanted to have her wedding there. She wore him down until he said yes. A week later he gets a check as the deposit. Bunny could tell you this story better. She was in the bank when he came to cash it. He called his cousin and brother to come help clean up the barn and a few weeks later they have a wedding in it. They all three got together and started a business, calling it The Love Barn. It’s actually pretty popular and books up fast.”

Trevor turned the SUV onto a gravel lot not far from the barn.

Dina had grown up in a world of fancy weddings. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around wanting to get married in a barn, but maybe it was just because she hadn’t seen the inside yet.

“You want to come along, or stay here?” Trevor asked.

“I’ll come.” She was curious about the location and his best friend of his.

Trevor waved and called out, “Morning.”

Dina squinted and only barely made out two figures in the shade.

“Hey, good to see you.” A woman with chestnut hair up in a ponytail wiggled her fingers at them as they strolled to meet Trevor and Dina.

“Hi.” The blonde woman’s gaze zeroed in on Dina. It wasn’t what she’d call a friendly evaluation.

“Jenna, Scarlett, this is Dina.” Trevor placed his hand on Dina’s back and gestured at the other two women.

The blonde was his best friend. The army medic.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Jenna offered her hand to Dina, her tone cool.

“I understand congratulations are in order.” Dina took the other woman’s hand and met her gaze. She would not be scared off by a friend.

“Great, well, let’s get started.” Scarlett clapped her hands. “I’m so excited about doing a local wedding. Most of the people we work with are strangers. It’s nice and all, but not the same. Come on inside.”

Jenna took Trevor by the arm and together they walked after Scarlett into the barn.

So that was how it was going to be then?

Fine.

Dina could play nice for now, but she wasn’t the kind of woman to be messed with.

“I don’t have to give you the rundown of the history, so we can jump right in on the details.” Scarlett led them to a large, circular table set up in the middle of the floor.

Dina turned and admired the inside of the barn.

Instead of the same rough panels and a dirt floor she was greeted with a rustic wooden floor and walls that looked like more logs. There was even air conditioning and lighting. She didn’t hurry to catch up with the others. Instead she took a slower pace, admiring the wagon wheel and mason jar chandeliers and the hay loft that had been turned into more event space.

“I was hoping to have everything in one place,” Jenna said.

“Do you want it all in the barn? We could incorporate the tent or do something outside even.” Scarlett laid open a massive book and presented two pictures.

“What do you guys think?” Jenna asked.

“I think this is going to be a lot bigger than you realize. You’re going to have all of Ransom SWAT, a lot of guys from Fort Worth, then the hospital staff and anyone else who decides to invite themselves. Right, Scarlett?”

“Local weddings do seem to grow. A lot of people do show up who assume they were invited.”

“Let’s have a walk out and take a look, okay?” Trevor said to Jenna. “Scarlett, want to give Dina the tour?”

“Sure.” Scarlett turned toward Dina with a bright smile.

If this wasn’t staged, Dina wasn’t a Profaci. She didn’t need drama in her life, so she’d play along for now and get out of this. It wasn’t the time to make a scene or disrupt this woman’s planning.

“Where do we start?” Dina smiled back at Scarlett.

Jenna and Trevor exited out the other end of the barn through the large, sliding doors, leaving Dina and Scarlett alone.

“Well, the barn has been here since almost the founding days of Ransom.” Scarlett clasped her hands together—she did that a lot—and rocked back on her feet. “We have maintained the character of the building while updating it to provide modern amenities.”

“It’s really well done.” Dina turned. This wasn’t her style, but she could appreciate what they were going for. A kind of rustic, shabby chic space.

“We can start the tour upstairs if you like?”

“You don’t have to entertain me. I know I wasn’t supposed to be here.” In hindsight she should have stayed in the truck, but she’d been curious and perhaps a bit needy.

“She didn’t mean—I’m not—” Scarlett sputtered, her eyes wide.

“It’s okay.” Dina chuckled and pulled out one of the chairs at the table.

“I suck at this part.” Scarlett sat down and buried her face in her hands. “My cousin normally does this. He’s so much better at talking to people than I am. I just—talk. And talk. And when I don’t know what else to do I talk. Like now, I can’t shut up. They probably only trusted me with today because it was Jenna, and I’m still screwing it up.”

“I think it’s my fault. Not yours.” Dina sighed and drew circles on the table.

“What? No.”

“You mean to tell me your girl Jenna didn’t arrange to get Trevor alone so she could tell him—I don’t know—that I’m trouble?”

“Uh...”

“It’s okay. I know what I am.”

“She didn’t say it like that.”

Dina stared at the gleaming table. Scarlett was trying to be polite, but Dina knew better.

Trouble followed her everywhere. It was a family curse, something that couldn’t be broken. Maybe Jenna was right to pull them apart, but right now Dina needed Trevor.

DOMINICK STARED AT the coffee machine and ignored his cell phone ringing in the other room. Ever since his chat with Joe last night he’d had guys that barely gave him the time of day calling. They wanted to catch up.

Yeah right.

Phillip and Little Tony had fucked up and by trying to watch out for his boys, Dominick was taking the heat for them.

Maybe he should have handled the body another way. It was their first time trying to cover up a murder. He hadn’t known what to do, so he’d fallen back on what he’d heard Dad say once when things were still right in the world.

The phone stopped ringing.

“Fuck.” He braced his hands on the counter and hung his head.

Would finding Dina be enough to put all this right?

Mom and Dad wouldn’t be up for parole for another ten years if they were lucky. The murder trial had only opened the doors for other charges. At the very least they were both serving twenty years. There’d been some discussion that Mom might get out sooner, but not by much.

This was all Dina’s fault.

She’d always been a spoiled bitch. If she didn’t get her way, she’d wail and carry on until someone did what she wanted.

He grabbed the insulated cup from the coffee machine and stalked into the dining room that now served as his office.

If this all blew up in his face, what would he do?

The on-line gambling he could run from anywhere. He doubted the old timers had any idea how to take over that, so he wasn’t in danger of being pushed out of the game on his own scam. The risk came in pissing off people higher up the food chain.

Cosa Nostra was a pyramid, supported currently by four big families that made up the council. Everyone else fit into that pyramid in a way that kept them protected and taken care of. Dominick’s family had been part of this organization since they arrived in America five generations back. They were a family of made men. There was safety in being part of something. It was their family legacy, and he didn’t want to let that go.

He had to do everything it took to close the chapter on Dina, smooth things over with Joe and keep the cops from looking at him too hard.

Everything hinged on Phillip and Little Tony right now. They’d been close to finding his bitch of a sister several times, but she always got away.

They needed more leverage, something that would keep her put. If he knew anything about the woman, his sister had become, maybe he’d know what to use against her.

She was his twin.

Dominick took a sip of the hot coffee and closed his eyes.

On a genetic level, they were the same.

He could figure her out. She wasn’t a complicated creature.

So what made the Dina of today tick? What did she want? And how could he use that against her?

“WHAT THE HELL?”

Trevor turned to face Jenna glaring at him. The pair of Bradford Pear trees flanking this end of the barn cast shadows, providing some relief from the sun.

“What?” he asked.

“I thought her name was Iris. It’s Dina now? I thought we agreed you weren’t going to look for her, Trevor. We talked about this.”

“We did.” He recalled that conversation. It was right after he’d discovered Iris’ then believed real name.

“So, what happened?”

“I already knew who she was. Where she lived. I didn’t have to go looking.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

“You—what?” Jenna took a step back and gaped at him. “So what’s her story?”

Trevor clenched his teeth. Dina was in trouble, but she hadn’t been when they’d reconnected. Still, his history was glaring at him.

“Trevor, you’re a good guy. A great guy. But are you really going to make the same mistake all over again? I don’t know what her thing is. Do you really want to get involved with her?” Jenna gestured at the barn.

“What do you know about her? What kind of judgment call is that when you haven’t even spoken to her?”

“I know you. I know your type.”

“So you take that, fill in the blanks and think you know everything.”

“Am I wrong?”

Trevor turned to stare out at the field. This late in summer the grass was barely hanging on.

Was Jenna wrong?

Dina had a history that haunted her that was true. But when they’d begun texting and talking, that wasn’t in the picture. It might be what sent her to Ransom, but it wasn’t what threw them together. All the bad stuff came after. Shortly after, but it still mattered.

This was different. And yeah, when she was safe she might leave him, but he was no stranger to break-ups.

“Why do you do this to yourself?” Jenna stopped next to him. He could feel her gaze on his face.

“Did you know my dad was the first man my mother dated?”

“No.”

“He was. Every now and then he’ll admit he took a few other women out, but the only woman he truly dated was Mom. People like to look at them and say what a great couple they are, how sweet it is that they’ve only ever had each other. You know what I see?” He glanced at Jenna. “I see people who settled. Dad is an asshole. He is mean and most days I can’t stand him. Mom has activities to keep busy. They live in separate parts of the house because they don’t even like being around each other, now that I’m out of the house they don’t have to pretend.”

Jenna didn’t speak. He’d told her some part of this before. She was the only one he’d told.

“They settled for the person they thought they should be with, and they’ve let themselves be trapped in that marriage. They aren’t going to leave each other. Ever. You know what it’s like growing up knowing your parents can barely stand being in the same room together?” He shook his head.

Mom was too polite and civil to do more than grit her teeth and bear it. Dad had more barbs. He wasn’t as considerate. The man behind the town legend wasn’t half as good as what people made him out to be.

“I know you mean well. I know you think you’re looking out for me. But I’d rather fuck up and live a little than settle.”

“I’m sorry, Trevor.” Her face creased in pain. His family story wasn’t new to her. “That doesn’t mean you have to keep getting involved with women that—”

“Are trouble? Who need saving?” He breathed in a deep breath.

“No, I was going to say that you can’t save your mom by getting involved with women like her.”

“What?” He frowned at Jenna.

“Look, you’ve told me a lot about your parents. You love your mom. You don’t like your dad. Most of the girls you date are trying to get away from someone, and over half of them leave you to go back to their bad decision. The rest keep making the same choices.”

“Dina’s different.”

“Is she? Really?”

“Yeah.”

“How?”

“There’s no boyfriend, no ex-husband, nothing like that.”

“She’s a woman in trouble and you’re trying to be her white knight.”

“Yeah, well, maybe she needs one.”

“Trevor, what happened?”

“What did Casey tell you?” He watched Jenna’s face and the way she carefully controlled her expression. “Don’t try to tell me it wasn’t Casey who called you.”

“He was worried. Tell me why he shouldn’t be.”

This wasn’t his story to tell Jenna, but he wanted her to understand. Casey just had to do his job. It didn’t matter what he thought, but Trevor needed Jenna to be on Dina’s side. Last night he’d finally understood what drew him to Dina. It all made sense.

“She came here for a new life. No trouble. Nothing like what you’re talking about,” he said.

“Then what happened to make Casey call me and what’s up with the scars? Those are nasty burn scars, Trevor.”

It was funny how her scars hadn’t really registered. Yes, her skin on her right arm felt different, and he knew there’d been a story behind it, but it hadn’t mattered. It was her that captured his attention to the point that the rest of it faded away.

“True story?”

“That’s what I’m waiting on.”

“You can’t tell anyone about this.”

“Trevor, if you don’t start talking I’m going to find a stick to hit you with.

“Her parents killed her best friend, tortured Dina, then she turned them into the FBI. Her brother blames her for it. That’s the short version of what happened that put her here. She was here trying to start over. We met and...we clicked. I didn’t understand why until she was honest with me. Jenna, despite everything she went through she’s still a good person who tried to do the right thing. All she wants now is a quiet, safe life. That’s it. Maybe you should talk to her before you make judgments about who she is?”

How many times since Dina had shared the truth with him had she commented that all she wanted was a normal life? That resonated with him. Everyone on the outside looking in thought that was Trevor’s family, but it wasn’t. He understood that desire, to want to be normal, happy.

“Shit. I—I had no idea,” Jenna said.

“Of course you didn’t.” He watched a car drive down the road at the far end of the property, headed toward town. “I know I have a...type. I know she seems like she fits it, but she’s different.”

“I hope you’re not just trying to make yourself believe that. I hope she really is different.”

“Give her a chance? She needs people.” He wasn’t arrogant enough to think he was all Dina needed. “Everyone she’s known has had to be cut off, or they’re helping her brother. She thinks the two guys who broke into her house were her childhood friends. Guys she grew up with. She could use a couple of girlfriends. Casey kept at me about why do I like her? I’m not going to tell that ass anything. He can just fuck off. But, I’ll tell you this. The shit with my dad? It’s different, I know, but it helps me understand where she’s coming from. I always thought I’d leave Ransom when I graduated, but I came back because I love it here and part of me wants what everyone thinks we had. The perfect family.”

Jenna didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to. She was trying to look out for him, and he loved her like a sister for that.

“Tell me about the wedding.” He bumped her with his elbow.

“Ug.” Jenna groaned. “It’s overwhelming.”

“Yeah?”

“Part of me wishes Alex would have held off asking. It’s so much to deal with.”

“Do you want a big wedding?”

“Me? Not really. But I want to have one for Alex.”

“Look, you’ve got three choices here. You can go to the Justice of the Peace and do it quick, fast and quiet. You can pack up and elope somewhere. Or you can have it here and everyone will show up. You two are part of Ransom even if he works in Fort Worth now.”

“I know.” She sighed.

“Getting cold feet?”

“No.”

“You still want to do this?”

“Yeah.”

“Then have it here. Do the ceremony outside, barn in the background, then go inside for the party. If you’re worried about the food, let’s talk to the L.O.L. Gang. We could casserole it up. No one cares about the food. Everyone cares about seeing the two of you happy.” It all boiled down to that. The people of Ransom had been through fires, hard times, droughts, to the point that they knew how to appreciate what mattered. He reached over and pulled Jenna to his side, giving her a squeeze. “It’ll be fine.”

“I hope so.” She sighed. “Thanks for dropping everything and coming out here. I feel better about this.”

“Glad to help.” He let her go.

“What are you two doing the rest of the day?” Jenna peered up at him.

“I was actually going to hit up your husband-to-be for some leads on people who might have helped our suspects. The L.O.L. Gang has a license plate for me to run. Between those two I’m hoping we can find these guys.”

“What are you guys doing tonight?”

“No idea. Liam offered for us to use the cabin out by the stock pond so she’s safer.”

“Maybe we should all get together for dinner?”

“That would be nice.”

It didn’t matter where this thing between him and Dina went. What did matter was that she finally got to put down roots, relax, get to know people. Average, every day things he took for granted.

“HE DID WHAT?” DINA covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh but she couldn’t help it.

“He did.” Scarlett leaned toward her, eyes watering, mascara smudging her cheek.

They both hunched over, laughing so hard Dina’s bladder protested.

The doors at the end of the barn opened, spilling light inside.

“What’s got into the two of you?” Trevor slid the doors shut behind them.

Dina darted a glance at Scarlett before another fit of laughter took over both of them.

“We leave you two alone for five minutes.” Trevor strolled toward them with Jenna at his side.

“Everything is fine.” Scarlett braced her hands on the table and sat up. Her lips quivered, but she held it together.

Dina bit her cheek and straightened. Jenna probably hadn’t intended to leave the two of them together like this. All Dina had wanted to know was what Bunny meant by Trevor getting excited.

“You two have a good time?” Jenna chuckled and glanced between them. She actually didn’t seem as hostile as she had earlier.

“Care to share what’s so funny?” Trevor asked.

Dina darted a glance at Scarlett who was already looking at her.

“No,” Dina managed to get out.

She didn’t think Trevor would appreciate her getting to the bottom of what Bunny had said to her.

“Alright, well, not to break up whatever this is, but Dina and I have somewhere to be.” Trevor pulled her chair out for her and offered her a hand.

“Dina, it was great getting to meet you.” Scarlett stood, took a step and hugged Dina tightly. “Hope to see you again.”

She wasn’t expecting that from a woman she’d just met. For a moment Dina stood there frozen before her brain caught up enough for her to pat Scarlett’s shoulder.

“We’re actually going to try getting together for dinner tonight,” Jenna said. “You and the guys free?”

“I think so.” Scarlett let go of Dina and turned toward Jenna.

“Great.” Jenna turned her focus on Trevor. “Let me know later if you guys will be free or if something comes up.”

“Will do. Have a good day, ladies.” Trevor took Dina’s hand and led her toward the door they’d entered through.

He walked like a man with purpose. That alone was enough to sober her up.

What had happened outside? And why were they getting together with the woman that so clearly hadn’t liked Dina a few minutes ago? What was Trevor up to?

They didn’t talk on the way back to the SUV. By the time they were both seated, and the truck was pointed at the road Dina’s teeth were back on edge.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“What were you and Scarlett laughing about?” he countered.

“I don’t want to say.” She doubted he’d appreciate the stories.

“Then it’ll be a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises. They make me nervous.”

“We’re headed to Fort Worth to talk to Jenna’s fiancé about some potential suspects that might have helped Phillip and Tony.”

“Oh.”

“Not so bad?”

“No.”

“What were you two laughing about?”

“I just...asked a question.”

“She told you, didn’t she?” Trevor groaned.

“Yes.” Dina smothered a laugh behind her hand.

“I was five years old, okay?”

“And the last time?”

“I was a kid.”

“The way I heard it, you were fifteen.”

“Fifteen is a kid.”

His protests only made it funnier.

“I can almost imagine you, five years old, so excited you peed your pants. It’s not as cute of a picture if you’re fifteen.”

“Give that story a rest already.” At the stop sign Trevor leaned forward and pounded his forehead on the steering wheel. “What did Scarlett tell you about the last time?”

“Just that...you were with your Homecoming date, making out and...you peed.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Then what happened?”

“I was fifteen, a virgin, and she touched my dick. It just happened. I don’t know how.” He sat back and gassed it. Not that there was any reason to go fast. They were the only car on the road.

Dina chuckled and shook her head.

“Well did you enjoy yourself?” he asked.

“It was actually fun. Scarlett’s nice.” Dina hadn’t expected the end of the visit to go the way it had after how they’d started. “I made a bad impression on your friend. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t mind Jenna. She’s protective of me just like I am with her. She’s got good intentions.” He glanced at her. “Give her another chance tonight?”

“We’re really...getting together with your friends? Is that smart?” The last get together Dina had been at was before Rosie died. Dina couldn’t remember what it had been for, only that she had spent hours picking out the perfect outfit. It had all been about appearances back then.

“Where’s safer than with half the Ransom police department?” Trevor said.

She could see his point, but did he also understand that having everyone in one spot was creating a fish in a barrel situation? What if Phillip and Little Tony showed up when no one was ready? What if Trevor got hurt because of her? What if his friends died?

Dina had grown up on stories about the mafia wars, how they’d ruled the streets. She could see Dominick ordering his friends to make her an example like that. She didn’t want the blood of these good people on her hands.

“Everything’s going to be okay.” Trevor reached over and took her hand.

She squeezed it, drawing comfort from the connection.

Had she allowed time to cloud her judgment? Did she really think this was a good idea?

“We’re going to head into Fort Worth, meet up with Alex during his lunch break and get a list. There’s a couple guys in who might have helped your old pals. Can you think of anyone?” Trevor had a plan. It wasn’t just being on the defensive or hiding, they were going after Dominick.

“Just my-my guy. The one who made my latest identity.” She didn’t want to give Rudy up to the authorities if she could help it.

“Yeah? We should follow up with him, see if these guys reached out to him.”

“Rudy’s unavailable for a little while longer. I can’t get him without a new laptop.”

“So you want to add shopping to our list?”

“Yeah.” She needed a laptop to make her living and stay up to date.

Her brother was the same as any other guy his age. He lived on social media. She’d often checked his profiles because he was her brother and she missed him. They also helped her know where he was, who he was with and make assumptions about what he was doing. She hated being wrong about her brother, but she wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Dominick wasn’t going to be the twin that came out of this free. She wasn’t taking the fall for him ever again. He’d made it clear that under the smiles and familiar eyes, he was the same kind of monster as her parents were.

PHILLIP PULLED THE car into the parking lot of the Palagio restaurant the same moment his phone began to ring. The car’s speakers announced the incoming call, but the number wasn’t familiar. He hit the button on the steering wheel, activating the call.

“Hello?”

“It’s Samu from—”

“Did you find anything?” Phillip hadn’t expected a call for hours.

“Both the laptop and phone are wiped.”

“What?” Phillip whipped into a parking spot and glanced at Little Tony. “What does that mean?”

“It means there’s nothing on them. No operating system. No data. Nothing.”

“Bullshit,” Little Tony rumbled.

“Last night when I looked at the phone there was a lock screen and everything. Now, you mean to tell me the device is a piece of junk?”

“Yes.”

“What did you do?” Phillip asked slowly. He’d powered the phone off to prevent Dina from using it remotely. It should have been in working order when Samu turned it on.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t you give me that bullshit. I’ll come back there.”

“I powered the machines on and nothing happened.”

“Can you still get data off them?”

“Maybe. It will take days to recover anything that has been wiped if it can be recovered at all. This is not a guarantee.”

“Get on it.”

He hung up the call and stared straight ahead.

If Phillip lost Dina again the answer to where she was going could be on those devices. She was smart. Smarter than any of them had ever given her credit for. She still might get away from them. It would be on his head this time. Not finding Dina wasn’t an option. He might have liked her, but he wasn’t about to take the blame for her. He’d seen what happened to others that let her get away.

TREVOR PULLED INTO the Whataburger parking lot off loop 820. He recognized Alex Myers’ truck immediately. Trevor had half wondered if Jenna might join them to keep the peace. Trevor hadn’t been shy about his reservations regarding that romantic entanglement and Alex was protective of their relationship. Trevor couldn’t deny that since the relationship had gone public, Alex had done right by Jenna in every way. Sure, a lot of the L.O.L.’s had opinions about the couple moving in together, but after what Jenna had been through Trevor was glad she had someone looking out for her at all times. Because if Alex wasn’t shadowing her, his retired K-9 buddy was. It was hard to say which male loved Jenna more. It was all Trevor could ask for the woman who was like a sister to him.

“You really think your friend is going to help us?” she asked.

“He owes me.” His partner still griped about the series of events that had led to Jenna being taken hostage. “Besides, none of us want a new problem.”

“What do you mean by that?” Dina twisted to face him.

“Cosa Nostra doesn’t even rate on the Texas tier one through three gang rankings. They’re a non-entity for us. We all want it to stay that way. And Ransom? That stuff isn’t a problem there. Yet. But it will be. And that’s what we’re focused on. My concern is maybe some guys from Tango Blast or the Texas Syndicate or the—yes, this sounds silly—but the Texas Mexican Mafia get wind of your guys making a move and think it’s a territory grab. The only outside presence we’ve encountered has been shut down fast, but if a bunch of those guys move in, it wouldn’t be hard to radically change our small town way of life.”

“I...wow.” Dina blinked at him a few times. “I hadn’t thought...”

“I’m probably being paranoid. I know that during my lifetime Ransom is going to be swallowed up by the urban sprawl and we’re going to lose a lot of the small town, country charm we all grew up with. I just want to be ready.” Which was why he took this threat to Dina so seriously. Because it was also personal. “Come on. Alex can’t wait on us much longer.”

Trevor got out of the SUV and circled around to the back.

A tall man with dark hair wearing the uniform of a Fort Worth cop stood at the bumper.

“Alex, man, thanks for meeting us.” Trevor held out his hand.

Alex slapped his palm to Trevor’s.

“I was surprised to get your text.” Alex glanced at Dina edging into view.

“Dina, meet Alex Myers, Jenna’s fiancé.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said with a nod of her head.

Alex offered her his hand for a quick, firm shake.

“Need to grab lunch before you go back to your desk job?” Trevor asked.

Alex turned his head. The mirrored sunglasses hid his eyes, but Trevor knew Alex was glaring at him.

“Yes. I unfortunately don’t have time to catch up.” Alex pulled a piece of folded paper out of his pocket. “What, might I ask, are you going to do with this?”

“We’re looking for two suspects. I’m hoping that the people on your list might provide us with some leads.”

“These people aren’t going to help you, and you’re out of your jurisdiction.”

“I just want to have an unofficial look around. See if we spot anything.” Trevor figured their best chance was to leave the badge out of it and observe.

“You’re going to get in so much damn trouble.” Alex shook his head and handed the list to Trevor. “When you get busted you know they’re going to call me?”

“You aren’t the only Fort Worth cop I know.” Trevor took the list and slid it into his pocket.

“Right.” Alex shook his head. “Have a nice day, and try to not get shot at, okay?”

“See you tonight.” Trevor caught Dina’s eye and nodded at the SUV.

The sooner they could check some of these out the better.

Trevor’s phone began vibrating against his hip. He pulled it out as he got back in the truck.

“It’s Casey.” He jabbed the answer button and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, man. What did Pearl have for you?”

“The car is registered to a real estate guy by the name of Lorenzo Onio. He’s out of the Mid-Cities area.”

Trevor yanked the list out and smoothed it down on the center console.

“Lorenzo Onio?” he repeated.

“That’s what I said.” Casey’s irritation was rising.

“Thanks, man. Can you make sure to document that?”

“I already did.”

“Perfect.”

“Why? Where are you? What are you doing?”

“Following up on a lead. Later.”

Trevor tapped end call and glanced at Dina. Her eyes were wide, stuck on the list.

Lorenzo Onio was second from the top.

It couldn’t be a coincidence that the same car seen circling Dina’s block was registered to someone labeled suspicious by the Fort Worth police.

This was what he’d imagined detective work being like. Too often there wasn’t anything to be concerned about in Ransom. Most of their crime was small or accidental in nature. Once a year they got a real case. But this stuff with Dina? It was what he’d imagined Dad’s work being like when he was little.

“I say we drive by this Lorenzo’s office.” Trevor tapped the paper.

“What if Phillip and Little Tony are there?”

“Then we don’t get out. They don’t know what I drive. They don’t know who I am. They won’t see you. All we’re doing is seeing what’s up.” He fastened the seatbelt.

“I can’t go there.” She shook her head.

“If you don’t want to go, I can drop you at the cabin then head back here, take some pictures and see if you recognize anyone.”

“No. You can’t go alone.”

“The only way I’m going to stop the threat to you before someone gets hurt is if we go after them first. Otherwise we’re stuck being on the defensive.” He reached over and placed his hand on her leg. She sucked in a breath and stared at him, her eyes going dark. “I’m not doing anything stupid. I promise.

Dina stared at him for several long moments. She was scared, backed into a corner and doing something different. He was damn proud of her. There were people who didn’t have half her strength to keep going. Hell, he didn’t know if he could do what she was doing.

She leaned toward him, her eyes fluttering shut, and kissed him briefly. Then she took a deep breath and pulled her seatbelt across her lap.

“I’m not letting you do something stupid without someone to watch your back. Plus, you don’t know what Phillip or Little Tony looks like. Let’s go.”

“You’re the prettiest back-up I’ve ever had.” Trevor grinned, but she remained tense. He reached over and covered her hands with his. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that, right?”

“You can’t control everything.” She lifted her gaze to look back at him.

“I can’t, you’re right. We won’t take any unnecessary risks, okay?” He still wouldn’t allow any more wrong to be done to her. Together they were going to put an end to her brother’s torment.