Bill’s ranch was thirty minutes outside the city limits. Kade was uneasy as they got out of the car. Military types were a bit too close to law enforcement for him to be one hundred percent comfortable. But Blane knew this guy, so Kade would trust his judgment.
“Man, it’s been a while,” Bill said with a wide smile when they knocked on the door. He wasn’t as big as Kade thought he’d be for a SEAL, his build leaner and narrower than Blane’s, though he stood at about the same height. Bill shook Blane’s hand and slapped him on the shoulder. “Come on in.”
“Time flies when you’re up to no good,” Blane replied, stepping inside the simple ranch-style house. Bill and Blane both chuckled. Kade rolled his eyes. Male bonding. Not his thing.
“This is my brother, Kade,” Blane said. “Kade, this is Bill Stiles.”
Kade forced his lips into a smile and shook Bill’s hand.
“It’s good to meet ya,” Bill said, a southern accent coloring his words.
“And this is Mannie.”
The midget pushed between Blane and Kade. Kade refused to think of him as a “little person” no matter what Mannie had said.
“Nice ranch,” Mannie said, sticking out his hand. Bill shook it.
“Thanks,” he said, glancing at Blane with a question in his eyes. But Blane ignored it.
“I appreciate you being willing to help us,” Blane said. “We’ve run into a bit of a…situation…involving a couple of kidnapped women and a nasty piece of work called Péng.”
“Péng,” Bill repeated. “You know, I’ve heard of him. And you’re right. He’s a nasty piece of work. He likes to stay out of the limelight, but there’s talk of stuff he’s been involved in. Made a name for himself in this town, that’s for sure, and not in a good way. How’d you get on his radar?”
Kade’s face remained impassive, but he stiffened slightly, hoping Blane wouldn’t spill his guts to this guy. The fewer people that knew Kade’s business, the better. He’d rather Blane had not even said they were brothers. Blane didn’t need the stain of Kade to tarnish his reputation.
“Wrong place at the wrong time,” Blane replied. “He pissed us off, then he decided to be a dick. Bottom line—a couple of innocent ladies are in a bad way and I’m not going to walk away from that.”
“Good man,” Bill said, nodding. “‘Bout time somebody put that fucker in his place anyway. The last thing we need is more Chinese interests in this town. He’s already gotten too big with that online shit. Rumor is he’s been searching for a way to hit the brick and mortar casinos and drive more business online.”
“Not surprised,” Blane agreed. “So what have you got that we can use?”
“Come on in back,” Bill said. “I’ll show you what I have.”
He led them through the house and out the back door. Following a paved walkway, they came to another small building. Bill held the door as they walked in.
“This is where we keep the weapons and ammunition,” he explained. “There’s also a shooting gallery.”
Two men were standing in front of a long counter, each with a disassembled gun in front of them, cleaning the parts. They were both huge guys, one white and the other black, wearing identical cargo pants and army green T-shirts. They glanced up to see the new arrivals.
“Hey guys, this is Blane, Kade, and Mannie,” Bill said by way of introduction. “Blane, this is—”
“Holy shit! Blane Kirk?” The white guy said. “You gotta be kidding me!”
“Tom? Tom McKinney, right?” Blane asked.
“You remembered!” Tom crowed. “That’s awesome! Can’t believe I’m seeing you again.” Coming out from behind the counter, Kade watched with raised brows as Tom folded his brother is a massive hug, slapping him on the back with enough force to make Kade wince in sympathy.
“You know each other?” Bill asked.
“What gave you the first clue?” was Kade’s dry reply.
Blane managed to extricate himself from Tom’s enthusiastic grip without it looking too obvious. Easy grin in place, Blane shook Tom’s hand.
“How’ve you been?” he asked. “When was your tour up?”
“Last one finished about a year ago,” Tom said. “A friend of mine told me about Bill starting this place, so I came out here.”
“That’s great,” Blane said.
“So how did you guys meet?” Kade asked.
Blane opened his mouth, but Tom spoke first.
“I wouldn’t even be alive today if it wasn’t for this guy,” he said, pointing at Blane. “Saved my life and three other guys, too.”
“I was lucky, that’s all,” Blane said. “We all were.”