by Wylder Stone
Owen nodded, proud to see a glimpse of the Trista he left behind. Tough, brave, and ready to fight.
4
It didn’t take long to get everyone together at Tyson and Becca’s house. It was like the reunion nobody looked forward to because it was laced in mystery and mayhem. Everyone was there. It was like a moment of déjà vu or reliving their worst nightmare. But this was what they did. They pulled together when they needed each other, and in this case, they needed each other more than ever before.
Owen made sure his brothers were there since they were collecting all the intel and a vital part of the surveillance, security, and tactical side to facilitate Mark’s takedown. While the children played in another room, the Forces brought everyone up to speed. This time, there was more reluctance because they all had so much more to lose.
“I don’t know…this is too much,” Becca said. “There’s more at stake now. Our families have grown, and we’ve welcomed more friends. Can we really do this again? Isn’t there anyone else who can get this guy?”
“I understand the concern. Believe me. That’s why we’re here,” Owen said, referring to his brothers. They had as much to lose as anyone else. “You don’t just walk out of prison without a chase. Several agencies are on him, and the feds even called in bounty hunters. That’s how bad they want him.”
“That’s good then,” she said. “They’ll catch him.”
Owen was leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees when he looked down, trying to deliver their reality gently. “It is good, but do you see any agents here? Feds, Rangers, US Marshalls…anyone?”
The room was silent while his point sank in. They were on their own, and the Forces were ten steps ahead of every other tough-guy agency that dealt with this type of thing.
“We’re dealing with a man who can and has outsmarted all of them,” Jackson added. “They won’t find him either. What does it say when the feds call in our cousins, the bounty hunters, to do their dirty work? That means they can’t find him and hit nothing but dead ends. They just work with leads. They don’t work outside the box and think ahead like we are.”
“You…you don’t know that, Jackson,” Becca pleaded, desperately wanting to prove him wrong and discredit their theory.
“We do know that,” Derek interjected, confirming his brother’s statements. “Owen trained him, so he knows him better than anyone. Mark’ll only be found if he wants to be found. Owen knows how to break this guy down and put the pressure on to get him to make a mistake. Think like he does.”
They were right, and everyone knew it. This one was on them.
“I wasn’t here for the Cesar debacle, but I’ve heard the stories. You guys handle all of my security, so I trust you on this. Anything you need – money, resources, connections – just let me know, and it’s yours.” Trey Boston was fairly new to Bear Springs and married to Leslie, who was now pregnant with twins. Boston had firsthand experience with the Forces and knew they were right to bring them all together. It didn’t hurt that the guy was a disgustingly wealthy business tycoon with endless resources of his own and willing to share all that he had if it meant keeping their town safe and capturing a criminal.
Another new member or, rather, returning member to Bear Springs was Pete Majors. He was a retired rodeo legend with his own heavy wallet and resources. These people had quickly become his family and Percy Shayne, his sweetheart. Pete would do just about anything for this family of friends. “Percy and I may be old, but we can help. I still got my ranch in Montana. We can get all the kids out of here, any of you too…there’s plenty of room. You just say the word.”
“I have my place on Catalina Island too,” Trey offered. “Use the jet if you need it. He can’t get everyone if we’re spread out. We can trip him up, then catch him while he’s following someone.”
Owen put his hands up to halt all the planning, which was more like organized chaos. “Whoa, let’s all take a step back. Running and spreading out just makes everyone more vulnerable and harder to protect. We’re stronger in numbers, which means you all are, too. If things get to be too dangerous, getting the kids out of here may make sense. We’ll let you know, Pete and Trey. Appreciate the offers of help because we may need them.”
“Owen’s right,” James added. “We can watch over all of you at the same time and see Mark coming before he gets anywhere. I have equipment going up everywhere so I can see everything. What we do need, though, is a command center. Mark knows where we were last time and where all of you live and work. I need a central location to work out of. Something he wasn’t privy to before and won’t assume now.”
Pete smiled and slapped his knee, happy he could offer a solution. “I got just the place. Broken Saddle Stables. That guy doesn’t know me because I wasn’t part of the trouble last time, and why would he look for y’all in a horse stable? You’re welcome to it, plenty of room, and you’re welcome to bed down there as well. We’ll keep you fed and bring you anything you need so you don’t get yourselves seen.”
“Sounds perfect, actually. We’ll follow you out there when we’re done here,” James said, gesturing to his brothers.
“Alright, I think that’s everything then?” Tayler asked.
When Owen nodded, Tayler nodded his head at his new recruit who had family ties and a military background. “Dante, I want you on Tyson and Becca. They’re your new assignment. You go where they go.”
“Leslie and Trent, I think you are the least at risk here. Your involvement was minimal, and…you didn’t shoot anyone. We’re assigning rotating units to cover your houses, but I trust you’re armed and ready anyway.” Both nodded at Tayler’s question, acknowledging his assumption was correct. Leslie was a trained law enforcement officer and able to protect herself well.
Tayler then looked at Billie, who was also very much involved, having been instrumental in taking out a part of Cesar’s regime, though not so much involved in Mark’s case other than eyewitness testimony. Tayler looked at her as if it pained him to say it, but he did anyway. “I’ll watch this one.”
“Great, a babysitter,” she replied, tone as hasty as her pained expression.
“I’m his number one target,” Owen said. “Mark’ll try to get to me or get me where it hurts, long before he tries to take me out. I’ll be at Trista’s. I think she’s going to be his first target.”
There was no loss in translation. Everyone heard him loud and clear. Trista was still his to protect and his to love. If Mark wanted to hurt him, Trista became the target because when he left Bear Springs, his heart stayed behind. Anyone who knew them – like Mark – knew that to be true.
“I don’t need a live-in bodyguard,” Trista protested. “Been there, done that. Dante will be next door, and Tyson…”
Becca knew her sister needed Owen but was afraid to let him in. She needed to stop fighting it and let him protect her. “Tris, it’s safer if—”
“If what?” Trista interrupted, feeling betrayed by her sister.
“I have to agree with Owen on this one. You remember last time? Next door is not close enough.” Becca’s voice cracked a bit, laying on the guilt.
After a long pause, Trista conceded, “Fine.”
“We have a plan then. Go about your lives, watch your surroundings, know you’re being looked over, and everyone stay in touch. We’ll be watching and following every lead. We’ll deal with him and put him away, once and for all,” Owen said as a final pep talk point.
“Perfect!” Trista looked directly at Owen. “Then you can leave again…once and for all.”
Trista left the room and found herself outside, standing in front of the frozen lake. It didn’t surprise her when she heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind, crunching against the frozen ground. Her eyes pinched shut, anger coursing through her.
“Why did you follow me? Is he hiding under the ice?” Trista knew she was being rude and bounderish, but that was the point.
“I followed you because you’re u
pset, and I know it’s my doing.”
“Now you’re concerned,” Trista chided.
Trying to keep calm, despite her relentless pushback, Owen attempted to justify their past. “Trista, I had to leave to protect you and Mason.”
“That’s what you keep saying, yet here we are in danger again. Good work.” It was a low blow, but there was truth to it, and it weakened his point.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen. I told you I had a backlist of enemies to clean up—”
Before Owen could finish, Trista struck again, tearing what she thought were excuses apart. “Apparently, that list is longer than you anticipated, and you aren’t done.”
“Will you let me finish?” He was frustrated, which meant she was winning. Getting Trista to understand was starting to look like a losing battle. “I had stuff to sort out and deal with so it couldn’t come back to haunt me or anyone I care for. I can look over my shoulder because it’s the life I signed up for. But I didn’t want that anymore. I didn’t want it for you. It took longer than I wanted, but it had to be done if I was going to have any kind of future…with you.”
All she did was nod. There were no more words to express how she felt or the anger his presence provoked. His claim, however, was almost believable. His story was good, thorough, and well-rehearsed. If he knew her at all, Owen knew she would have helped him bear that burden, even from afar. But Owen didn’t give her that chance. He just left and never said a word. Until now.
When Owen put his hands on her shoulders, Trista went rigid, which pained him more than her words of disbelief. He turned her around and made her face him so she would have to see the truth in his words.
“I retired. I came back. This is the last loose end, Tris.”
“Until the next one, right?” She wasn’t about to fall for that chiseled jaw or be charmed by his dreamy emerald eyes. Not this time.
“Not a day went by that I didn’t think of you, miss you, or need you. Everything I did was for you – for us. I’ve been here all along, watching from afar. I kept tabs, making sure you were still safe. It pained me to see you and not be able to talk to you. I left Bear Springs, but I never left you.”
Trista wasn’t an emotional person – hadn’t been since her life changed so dramatically two years before – but somehow, when it came to Owen Force, she was. As much as she wanted to push him away, Trista also wanted to pull him closer. She wanted to believe him, every word, but that didn’t mend a broken heart. It couldn’t be that easy for him. Trista couldn’t let him in like no time had passed, even if that was what she wanted.
“So you’ve been stalking me? You couldn’t call, write, text…but you’ve been watching?” Trista wanted to lighten the mood because truthfully, confrontation like this wasn’t her style. It made her uncomfortable and agitated. “No wonder I feel like I’m being watched and constantly looking over my shoulder. That’s really creepy, Owen.”
Though light-hearted and somewhat joking, her words struck a chord and brought instant worry. Owen didn’t like what Trista just said, not one bit. “What do you mean?”
“It was you watching me, especially at night. I notice it most then,” Trista admitted, not realizing she was revealing something sinister had already begun. “Do you know how many hours of sleep you owe me?”
Owen simply nodded while he thought about what she’d said. There was no reason to point out that it most likely wasn’t him she was sensing, especially at night. “That part’s over now. I’m not leaving you again. You don’t have to worry anymore. Not while I’m here.”
Trista nodded and walked with him up the steps and back to the house. She was still hurt by him but willing to give him a chance. A very guarded chance.
Owen mulled over her words. Feeling watched, followed, especially at night. That sense of worry that he had been carrying around just got heavier. The danger had been here for a while, lurking in the shadows. He was as sure of it as Trista was sure she was being watched.
He would fix it. Owen would bring Mark Thomas down so he could finally be where he was meant to be. Right where he stood with Trista. Home.
5
After their meeting, the group went straight to eating and gathering as they often did together. Despite a looming threat, they made time for each other and enjoyed the company, catching up like no time had passed at all.
Mason was outside playing with one of Tyson’s rescue dogs as the crowd thinned and began to leave. The remaining guests were standing on the porch, watching Mason play with the awkward dog.
“Mama, I really want a dog,” he said.
“That’s too much dog for such a little boy. Maybe we should start with a fish.”
Disappointment crossed the little boy’s face as he continued to play. The dog was eager to chase and return whatever Mason threw for him. The dog appeared to be smart and know what he was doing. It was second nature for a dog to chase and retrieve, instinctive. What wasn’t as expected was the obstacles before him as did normal dog things like running into a snow berm left from the last heavy snow, running headfirst into a tree as if he didn’t see it, or tripping over his own bulky feet like he’d just learned to walk, but he kept playing, nonetheless. The two were enjoying each other.
Owen watched the dog with a furrowed brow and his head cocked to one side, confused by the dog’s behavior. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing. He’s just…clumsy,” Tyson replied with a shrug, leaning against the porch pillar.
“Clumsy? He just ran straight for a tree and ran into it. Didn’t slow down, try to swerve, just…hit it,” Troy noted.
Tyson nodded and sighed. “Yeah, he does that sometimes.”
“Sometimes?” Derek interrupted. “As in, more than once? This wasn’t the first time…sometimes?”
Tyson nodded again, hands in his pockets. He felt a little bad for the pooch. “He’s just different, I guess.”
“And you’re sure nothing’s wrong with him?” Derek questioned again because the dog chased a stick but came back with a boot that he grabbed from the porch at some point. “He has my damn boot!”
“Yeah, he does that, too. He’ll bring it back. He always does.”
“Nothing wrong with him, my ass.” Jackson laughed, watching the dog trip over the boot.
“Well, he did flunk obedience class,” Tyson recalled.
Owen kept his eyes on the dog. Something about it had him interested. “Ehh, that just could’ve been the instructor.”
“Umm, eight…eight times.” Tyson had to clear his throat to get the truth out. If this dog was going to find a forever home, the potential owner needed to know it all.
“Oh,” Owen said with disappointment but still watching him.
“He’s really sweet, and great with kids and with other animals. He just has a hard time…listening,” Tyson added.
Owen took a few steps down the porch where the dog stood with Derek’s boot, which he tossed his way. Then the dog went back to playing with the boy.
“What kind of dog is he? Besides huge?” Owen asked.
“No clue,” Tyson admitted. “He’s the size of a small horse and looks as awkward as he acts…kind of a homely guy, but perfect for someone.”
“Homely…right.” Owen stood by Mason and watched the dog and how he interacted with the boy. There was a connection there. He didn’t understand it, but that dog was Mason’s and vice versa.
“Mama, can I come play with him tomorrow?” the boy asked with a sullen tone.
Trista tilted her head and frowned at the sad face Mason was making. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Mama? Can he play at my house?”
She chuckled at the pout and sad eyes Mason was working. “Not a chance, but nice try.”
Mason told the dog to sit, and the dog sat on command. Even while sitting, the dog was still a good six inches taller than Mason was standing. Mason wrapped his arms around the dog, giving him a hug while the dog just panted, completely
content. When Dante walked by and tussled the little boy’s hair, the dog growled and snapped at the man’s hand, causing him to quickly pull it back.
Dante kept walking, telling the dog to go easy and sit, to which the dog stood and followed Dante slowly, still growling.
Owen stood in front of the dog and told him to sit, to which the horse-sized pup listened and went back to his happy panting. “You know, I’ve been wanting a dog.”
Troy laughed at his brother and questioned the thought. “You? A dog? Where are you going to keep a dog that size?”
“You better rethink that. You’re staying at my house, and the dog is not,” Trista interrupted before the idea got any further.
“I don’t know…he seems to be pretty protective of Mason. That’s actually to our benefit.”
Trista guffawed at the reference to protecting her son. “Awesome. Still a no – not happening.”
“Man, he would tear your apartment in Santa Monica up. He’s too big for that kind of living space,” James added, always the voice of reason.
Owen never took his eyes off the dog and Mason, completely taken aback by how this dog operated and only listened to him and a four-year-old. “There’s a dog park across the street from the building and grass on the rooftop deck. He’d be fine. Maybe it’s time I buy a house if that doesn’t work.”
“Seriously, man, the dog has a real hard time minding. Not sure he’s cut out for a dog park,” Tyson interjected.
Owen put the dog to the test, giving him several common commands, all of which the dog was obedient. Mason laughed when he too gave the same commands, and the dog followed through on each the first time.
“Looks like you’re getting a dog,” Jackson said to Trista, laughter coursing through the group.
“No, I’m not,” Trista said.
“He seems to mind Mason and me just fine.”
“Isn’t he wonderful, buddy?” Mason said, looking straight up into Owen’s eyes before grabbing his hand.