Dusk Page 4

  From my limited experience on Mason’s land, this was the first of many checkpoints to get near the main house. Over ten thousand acres was a good amount of land. Once the gate opened, we proceeded within. The first area of habitation was the grouping of buildings that included the house where Seth, the ranch manager, lived with his wife and two children. Over the last year, a sizeable addition had been added for his growing family, giving it a statelier appearance.

  Besides the multiple barns and outbuildings, this was where the ranch hands came for their assignments. Not far up the lane was the bunkhouse. For the most part, Mason utilized seasonal workers. They were like guns for hire—cowboys who knew what to do and did it for a paycheck. It decreased personal attachment and questions that may come along due to who lived on the other side of the ravine.

  The person who oversaw the ranch hands and the seasonal workers and was dedicated to the land and animals was Seth Dorgan, with help from his wife, Lindsey. Though he was young, he’d helped Mason during a difficult time, was well vetted, and exceptionally paid. In many ways, Seth treated the ranch as if it was his own. That not only suited Mason, but it meshed with the agricultural powers-that-be for the state of Montana.

  Seth Dorgan was the go-to man for anything concerning the Jackson Ranch. He answered to Mason; everyone else answered to him. Mason needed that kind of loyalty with spending most of his time in Chicago.

  Once the road passed the barns and outbuildings, the land cleared into fenced pastures for as far as the eye could see. Finally, we approached a large ravine with a river below. This late in the summer, the river was more of a stream. In the spring, with the snow melting from the mountains, Mason said it could overrun the banks as it raged through the gorge.

  Mason’s house was on the other side of the ravine. The home that had been present when he first purchased the property appealed to him in large part due to its limited accessibility.

  As we canvassed the distance, it was clear that with Garrett at Seth’s house, a helicopter could have come from the other direction, virtually unnoticed down at Seth’s house.

  The SUV continued along the packed-dirt road.

  The main house was only used by Mason and Laurel as a retreat. Since they spent most of their time in Chicago, the lane we were on qualified as a road less traveled.

  In the distance, the main house came into view. As it did, the energy in the SUV changed. In a few moments, Patrick and Mason would have their wives in their arms. They could look into their eyes and reassure themselves that all was right with the world.

  They could.

  They would.

  I turned to Sparrow as he turned to me.

  Wordlessly we promised one another that one day soon we too would be holding our wives.

  Whoever had dared to enter this property, breach the security, and take Lorna and Araneae would pay. Of that we could be certain.

  As the SUV slowed, the door upon the large porch opened.

  Lorna

  “Araneae, you have to eat,” I said, looking at the food she’d been given as we sat side by side on the lower bunk, holding our plastic plates in our laps. Her disheveled long blonde hair lay over her shoulders, veiling her profile.

  Pushing it aside, she turned her soft brown eyes my direction. “How do we know it’s safe?”

  I stared at the plate that had been given to me and taking a deep breath, lifted a forkful of what appeared to be some kind of chicken dish to my lips. After swallowing, I forced a grin. “I’d be happy to give whoever our cook is some lessons on spices. It’s bland but I think edible.”

  Araneae pushed the chicken, rice, and sauce around the plastic plate with the plastic fork. “I want to be home.” She lowered her voice. “What do you think the men...?” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “He’s so worried. I know he is.”

  I nodded. “I’m sure they all are.”

  Leaving the food uneaten and setting the plate on the bed, Araneae stood and resumed her earlier pacing. She was still wearing the same clothes we’d dressed in this morning, soft pants and an oversized shirt. Her midsection was beginning to show a distinct roundness. She didn’t have the beach ball of Madeline, but her baby bump was visible.

  Araneae stopped pacing and turned to me. “Do you know what Sterling has said to me a million times?”

  My lips quirked upward. “Are you sure it’s something you want to share?”

  A soft pink hue colored her cheeks. “I wouldn’t even know where to begin with the non-sharable things he’s said. What I’m thinking about is what he’s said over and over again” —her voice lowered in a sad attempt to mimic Sterling’s deep voice— “this is for your safety.” She spun, allowing her arms and hands to tap her thighs. “Over and over to the point that when he first found me” —found was an interesting choice of word— “I hated the phrase. I hated it. Everything about it. His constant obsession with safety.” She let out a long breath, lifted her chin toward the ceiling, and stared at the two bare light bulbs high above. When her gaze came back to mine, her expression was stoically strong, yet telltale tears flowed down each cheek. “But, I learned he meant well. I know he can be...”

  I placed my plate beside hers on the thin mattress and stood. Walking toward her, I reached for her hands. “Overbearing, overprotective, domineering, and bossy.”

  With each of my adjectives, Araneae nodded and her sad smile grew. “Yes, all of those things. And I love every damn one. I wouldn’t ask him to be different than he is. And he has never asked that of me. He” —she inhaled as she searched for the right words— “welcomed me as I am, never trying to change me.” She swallowed. “I mean, we didn’t know one another.” Her head tilted. “I don’t think I was what he expected.”

  “You weren’t. You’re so much more,” I said.

  “With him, I’m different. Sterling helped me understand who I am, who I’m capable of being. He gave me my past, my roots, and also showed me that I had wings to fly. He showed me that I could soar to untold heights. The gifts he’s given me have nothing to do with possessions. He gave me security and a family.” She squeezed my hand. “You, Reid, Patrick, and then everyone.” She let go of my hand, peered downward, and placed hers over her baby bump. “And now our child.” Looking back to me, she took a ragged breath. “I’m scared. Did we not listen to him? Did we do something wrong?”

  I swallowed the emotions I didn’t want to feel, ones too numerous to articulate. “No, Araneae. We were where they wanted us. We didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “I’ve never” —Araneae walked a few steps, her feet bare as were mine— “had a family, not really, not since I was a teenager, not one of my own. I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to lose him.”

  “You know they will do everything—”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she interrupted, spinning toward me, her volume rising. “I’m scared that in their attempts to save us, something will happen to one of them.” She shook her head. “I can’t use those wings he’s given me, not without him by my side.”

  I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “I understand.”

  “What about Reid?”

  It was my turn for tears to form. For the last few hours, I’d refused to give into them, yet they persisted, now teetering precariously upon my lids. “I love him. He’s my Prince Charming.” I thought about what Araneae had said. “I think I had roots when I met Reid. Mason was my family, my roots to keep me grounded and safe, but it was different with Reid. Being with him and him with me gave me substance—I hope it’s the same for him. When we’re together, I’m more than Lorna Pierce, more than a sister. With Reid, I’ve always been more. It’s as if we complete one another.” I scoffed. “I know that sounds cheesy.”

  Araneae shook her head. “No.” She laughed. “Yes.”

  I tilted my head toward the two plates. “We need to eat. We don’t know when they’ll bring more or come for these.”

  Araneae turned a complete ci
rcle. “We’re in a fucking cell.”

  “They’ll get us out.” I quickly added, “And they’ll stay safe in the process.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked.

  “Remember your first lockdown?” I asked as I sat back down and picked up her plate, handing it her direction.

  Araneae reached for the plastic dish and sat beside me. “Yes, I wish we had some of that wine.”

  “You can’t drink. Remember?”

  “Circumstances being what they are, I think one glass would be acceptable.” She pushed the chicken around, finally stabbing a piece. “I remember I felt very alone.”

  “I hate that you’re here with me,” I admitted, “but I’m also glad. My first lockdown and many after were spent alone.”

  Araneae’s nose scrunched. “Didn’t you say it lasted five days?”

  I shook my head as the memory returned. “Not the first one. The first one was not long after Sparrow’s father died...the takeover of the Sparrow outfit was happening. Mace had only recently moved me into the tower. Things were more dangerous than I realized.” I smiled at the forthcoming thought. “That’s why Mason kidnapped me to the tower.”

  “You were kidnapped?”

  “No,” I said with a laugh. “I teased him, telling him that was what he did. It wasn’t. He was...persistent.”

  “A quality they all possess.”

  I took another bite. As I did my stomach grumbled. “I guess I am hungry. You don’t have some salt or pepper on you?”

  “No,” Araneae answered as she lifted her feet. “I don’t even have shoes.” Her voice lowered again. “How do you think they knew?”

  “I don’t know. Reid always said that when any one of us was away, we’d always have our phones, shoes, or purses. That’s why he believed they were the best place for trackers.” I turned her way. “When we’re rescued, I guess we’ll need to tell him he needs to up his game.”

  I grinned, seeing Araneae finally begin to eat. The food was bland and tasteless, but it contained nutrients that she and her baby needed.

  “Your first lockdown?” she encouraged.

  “Didn’t end well.”

  “What happened?”

  “Reid and I weren’t married.” My eyes opened wide. “We weren’t even engaged. We were...secret lovers. It hadn’t been going on too long. We stole moments when we could.” I grinned. “It was both exciting and romantic.”

  “Under Mason’s nose? I’m surprised you got away with it.”

  My mind went back to nearly a decade earlier. “Reid has always been the one to scour the web, figure out the surveillance, basically the technical one while Patrick and Mason were on the streets.”

  “Sterling?”

  “I’m sure you know what your husband does,” I replied.

  “I wasn’t around then. I get the feeling it was different.”

  I nodded. “He...carried it all.” I took another bite, trying to decipher a time I hadn’t considered in years. “Everything rested on him. For the coup to work, Sterling Sparrow had to show the world that he was even more capable than his father had been.”

  “They told you all this?”

  I shook my head. “They never said a word...except once, but that was the exception. Sterling had not only the Sparrow outfit to secure and rule, but he had to maintain his public persona of Sparrow Enterprises.”

  “So he was fun to be around?” Araneae asked with a grin.

  “Unbearable is a better word. I avoided him at all costs.”

  “And you and Reid...?”

  “We stole moments when we could. Tension was high and there was so much happening that I think Mason was too distracted to notice what we were doing. Once I was in the tower, he could worry about other things.”

  “Patrick?”

  I grinned. “Patrick was Patrick—the same Patrick he is today. I love my husband and brother, but Patrick is the heart of the group.” My eyes opened wide. “You know, like the cricket in Pinocchio—”

  “Jiminy Cricket?”

  “Yeah,” I replied. “The conscience, the heart, the one who notices and cares.”

  Araneae nodded. “I think in a way, when I first met them, I felt more comfortable with him than I did Sterling.” She turned my way. “I don’t mean like I was attracted.”

  “I know what you mean. Patrick was always the friend.” I scoffed. “Of course, I never knew his secret. I just always trusted him.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not sure if Patrick knew before the rest of them—about me and Reid. If he did, he never said a word.”

  “That’s Patrick,” Araneae agreed.

  “If I’m totally honest, I wanted Reid from the first time we met. It was...like one of those movies or books. I don’t know if love at first sight exists, but curiosity, intrigue...attraction.”

  “I think I can concur.”

  “I was the one to convince Reid to keep our relationship quiet. It wasn’t forever, just until things quieted down. Telling Mace would have meant telling...”

  “Sterling.”

  “Yes. He had mentioned more than once that my presence was a distraction. That’s why I started trying to help. The men would be busy day and night. I began a routine of cleaning and cooking. I started in Mace’s apartment but slowly expanded to common areas. I then offered...over the years, it grew into more.”

  “And now there are so many of us.”

  “Madeline is a big help. She’s really taken to wanting to know more.” I thought about our friend, Patrick’s wife. “We’ve all had such different backgrounds.”

  Araneae nodded as she finished the last of her meal.

  “I guess,” I said, “I didn’t want Sparrow to think I was just taking advantage of him.”

  “He wouldn’t...”

  “Looking back, I think he was also too distracted by everything to even consider me. I was the quiet distraction until...”

  “What happened?”

  I took a haggard breath. “You would think this would be easier. It isn’t. It’s never easy to say your brother died.”

  “You and Reid weren’t officially a couple when Mason...when the explosion...?”

  I shook my head. “Not really. Literally, that same night, Mason found out about us.” I rolled my eyes. “And Patrick and...”

  “Sterling?”

  My mind went back to that night, standing out by the apartments. The rage radiating off my brother as the wheels turned in his head, connecting the dots. The total disinterest in Sparrow’s gaze as he called me a distraction, not for the first time, and the way Patrick tried to soothe the entire situation.

  “Yeah,” I said, taking a drink from the water bottle. “Anyway, we agreed to discuss it later. But, well...later never came, not for a long time where Mason was concerned.”

  “Oh goodness, Lorna. When I said I felt alone during my first lockdown, I must have sounded like a spoiled brat. Holy shit. Who told you about Mason?”

  “Reid and Patrick did, together.”

  “What about Sterling?”

  I shook my head. “He didn’t speak to me or look at me. Not for a while. I know he wanted me gone, but what was he going to do, kick the sister of his dead best friend out on the street when the Sparrows were in an all-out war?”

  Araneae placed her emptied plate on the floor and turned to me. “I never...you two seem...I mean, you joke, but he loves you like he loves everyone in the tower.”

  I nodded. “I know. We are good.” I took a deep breath. “That man of yours is complicated.”

  “Oh, you’re telling me,” she said with a smile. “I want to hear more about Reid. How did you go from secret lovers to husband and wife?”

  Before I could answer, the room went dark. The chicken I’d consumed churned in my stomach as Araneae and I reached for one another’s hand.

  “The blindfolds,” she whispered.

  That was the rule the man named Jet had given us. We could remove the blindfolds as long as
we put them on when someone entered the room. The turning off of the light was our warning.

  “Shit.” I stood, scrambling in the darkness.

  “They’re here,” Araneae said. “I put them in my jeans’ pocket.”

  I reached out in the darkness, feeling the piece of rough fabric. We both hurriedly secured the fabric over our eyes and resumed our seats on the bed. In the process, I stepped on the plastic plate as the plastic fork rattled against the concrete floor.

  The locking mechanisms clicked and the bottom of the door moved, scuffing the cement floor as it opened inward.

  Reid

  “They were supposed to be secured,” Sparrow said, sitting forward, peering through the window of the SUV as Laurel, Madeline, and Garrett came out onto the large porch. The ladies, their hair blowing in the breeze, stepped forward toward the railing on the porch, watching as our vehicle came closer.

  “I texted Garrett as soon as we entered the property,” Patrick said. “He knew it would be us.”

  As the driver brought the SUV to a stop, the doors flew open.

  While everyone got out of the SUV, consciously or unconsciously, Sparrow and I hesitated, staying back by the vehicle as Patrick and Mason hurried toward their wives. It was impossible not to appreciate their evident need to be with the one they loved. To see, touch, hold, and hear one another. They were my friends, my family, and I wanted their happiness. I was also keenly aware of the sensation of being excluded from the joy. The loss of Lorna’s and Araneae’s presence hung around Sparrow and I like a fog—on a clear, sunny day—a barrier keeping us from the others’ happiness.

  Yet before that cloud chained us in, both Madeline and Laurel came our way, Madeline first to Sparrow and Laurel to me. Their hugs wordlessly said more than I was ready to hear.

  “I’m so sorry,” Laurel, my sister-in-law, whispered, looking into my eyes. “I-I don’t know what happened.”

  “We’ll get them back.”

  The ladies changed places, Laurel going to Sparrow and Madeline to me. After her quick hug, I looked down at Madeline’s even larger midsection. “How are you feeling?”