Ranch Refuge by Virginia Vaughan

Author:Virginia Vaughan
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781488008634
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-15T07:00:00+00:00

SIX

Colton fed a dollar through the vending machine money changer, hit the button for a bag of chips, then bent to get it. When he stood again, he saw a man leaning against the doorjamb watching him. The man was tall and dressed in a neat suit and tie. His shoes shone and his hair did, too, from too much grease slicking it back.

Colton tensed. This wasn’t just some man waiting to use the vending machine. “Who are you?” he demanded.

The stranger didn’t flinch. “I’m here on behalf of Chuck Randall, Mr. Blackwell. I’m here to offer you a deal.”

Colton started to reach for his gun, then realized he’d left it in his truck. “What kind of deal?”

The man pulled out an envelope and held it out to Colton. The stranger opened the envelope and Colton saw a large stash of bills. The man flicked his fingers over the bills as if counting them.

“Mr. Randall is prepared to offer you a substantial reward for the return of Laura Jackson. I’m here on his behalf, hoping we can work something out. You see, we know she’s here. We could take her by force—”

“You could try,” Colton said as menacingly as he could.

“—but we would much rather end this peacefully.”

“I cannot be bought. You go back and tell your boss that.”

“Mr. Blackwell, we’re not looking for a fight here,” the man said, “but we are prepared to act if you don’t cooperate.”

“Again. You can try. You go back and tell your boss that Laura Jackson is under my protection.”

“We’re also willing to offer you free play in any of Mr. Randall’s casinos. That’s free for life.”

“Not interested,” Colton retorted.

He quirked an eyebrow. “Are you sure? That’s free gaming for life.”

“No. I’m not that guy anymore.”

The man set the envelope on the machine, then slowly backed away. “This is just a down payment. There will be more to come. All you have to do is cooperate.” He turned and sauntered down the hall to the elevator, then was gone.

Colton stared at the envelope of cash. He fingered the bills and realized it was several thousand dollars. That was a lot of money. Randall thought he could sway Colton with cash or free gaming, but he was wrong.

He stuffed the envelope into his pocket. There might be a way to connect Randall to this cash.

Yet right now he had to get back to Laura. He’d been gone far too long already and didn’t want her to worry. Colton retrieved two sodas and the bag of chips from the vending machine, telling himself he would convince her to at least eat a few chips if nothing else. He hadn’t given up on getting her to eat something nutritious, but for the time being it would have to do.

He walked into the waiting room. Laura’s spot was empty. He glanced around but didn’t see her. A woman in the corner approached him.

“The doctor asked to see her,” she told him.

His heart dropped. Had her father’s status changed?

“Thank you.

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