Cowboy Bikers MC #2

by Esther E. Schmidt

  I nod in agreement. “What he said.” Damn. I think I threw up in my mouth a little when he blabbered out those details.

  Decker places a few more documents in front of us. “I called an old buddy of mine to run the name, he informed me that they have been trying to make a case against these two but nothing seems to stick. There’s always evidence missing or witnesses disappearing or refusing to come forward. But the whole horse thieves and slaughtering for meat keeps drenching their name in blood.”

  “Do you have a list of employees? People they’ve worked with? And when you say slaughter, they have a company involved or own it?” I think I remember Cassidy mentioning something about Kai owning a slaughterhouse.

  Decker simply shoves another stack of papers in front of me. “There’s more than enough details as to why and how, but like I said, all the evidence doesn’t stand up in court. It’s the reason this has been going on for years. Horses stolen and never to be heard from or seen again and they are all connected with a visit from Daisy who was there a few days before to buy a horse. But no other connection whatsoever.”

  “Pay for one, scout out the place and steal the rest. I want a prospect guarding the security feed twenty-four-seven, understood?” Weston’s head swings my way. “And how the hell is your old lady connected in all of this?”

  My old lady. I don’t have to officially claim her as mine since he already knows how I feel about her and what she means to me.

  “Kai sweet talked her into believing he loved her and married her to steal her horse, the one she won World Champion barrel racing with. He finally found out where she kept the documents on their wedding night and snatched the papers so he could legally put the horse in Daisy’s name so she could compete with the horse. But she couldn’t handle the poor animal and she fucking killed him.”

  “That’s why Cassidy dodges horses and manages to let Harlene take those clients instead,” Weston muses. “It makes me wonder if Harlene knows anything about it.”

  “I don’t think so. And I don’t think she would have ever told a single soul either if it wasn’t for Daisy walking into our stables.”

  “Damn lucky Cassidy was there when Daisy came in to buy the horse. I fucking hate people who harm animals. And to think these vile people do it to earn a damn buck. Money. Killing healthy horses. Stealing.” Decker growls some more curse words while I add a few of my own inside my head.

  “We never would have known,” Weston mutters.

  Decker’s head bounces. “Not until they tried or hell, succeeded to steal the horses because we might have a good security system but this bunch are pros at stealing and letting those poor animals disappear without a trace.”

  “What about the herds in the pastures? I’m not liking this one fucking bit. Not to mention the fact that Daisy now knows Cassidy is connected with me. We had her removed from the property. With all the shit these people did in the past and up to now it’s safe to say the chance is mighty damn big that they are coming for us. For our horses, what-fucking-ever.”

  “You can’t let Cassidy out of your sight. These two are dangerous and now even more so since I did a financial background check and they have less than nothing. Kai made a bad investment a few months ago and the bank is going to take their house. If they want to prevent it from happening, they need to come up with at least twenty grand,” Decker informs us.

  Weston places his forearms on the table and leans in. “I want everyone updated the second we walk out of church. There’s no time for a meeting. You’re going to send a text to everyone with a short recap of what’s going on along with the pictures of those two and anyone else working for them if we can find it. What we need is round the clock security, and we need it right fucking now. And dammit, what if they take you, Roper? Do they know you have millions to your name? Did you give this Daisy woman your real name? I think it’s a safe guess they can kidnap and squeeze some money from you. It’s easier than stealing horses. Hell, they could indeed take Cassidy for revenge and make you pay to get her back safely. See? Too many fucking options.”

  I give a shake of my head. “You know I never give my name to anyone. All Daisy mentioned was the fact that the Iron Hot Blood Ranch breeds and trains the best quarter horses and she wanted to buy one that was bred and trained by me.”

  “By you specifically or us as in the ranch where they are bred and raised?” Decker questions.

  I release another string of curses. “Me specifically. She heard I was the one training them and she wanted the best one I raised in the last few years. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but when she arrived, she started flirting her ass off. It fucking annoyed me.”

  “It’s not well known but if someone does a little digging, they will easily find out the name of the only living son who comes from the oil magnate. Not to mention you made your own money by becoming a World Champion Bull Rider and training horses. There aren’t many billionaires in this part of Texas, Roper.”

  I shake my head at Weston’s words. “I don’t think they targeted me. She never used my real name, I would have remembered. She only asked about horses and how many we had.”

  Weston’s head turns to Decker. “I’m still not buying the horses only angle in this if you mention the whole financial down to nothing with these two.”

  “There’s a reason they say better safe than sorry. Eyes on the horses, Cassidy, and Roper at all times,” Decker agrees.

  Weston smacks his flat hand on the table. “Good. Decker, make and send a text to everyone so it’s known what the fuck is going on and to have everyone alert. And you.” His eyes land on me. “Tell Cassidy what’s going on. And I know she’s a vet and has work to do but she’s going to have an extra pair of hands nearby since she’s not to be alone. And neither are you. Understood?”

  I know a fucking order from my president when I hear it. “Understood.”

  The door swings open and Alfie bursts in. “Prez. Sorry to disturb you guys, but one of the fences must have gave way since one of our herds isn’t in the pasture.”

  “Please fucking tell me it’s a Longhorns herd that’s missing,” Decker growls.

  Alfie’s head swings his way. “How did you know?”

  Decker stands. “Because it’s either the Longhorns or horses. Longhorns to distract or horses because that’s their main goal.”

  “Get everyone on duty. I want men everywhere and not head for one place,” Weston snaps.

  “Who’s main goal? What the hell is going on?” Alfie questions.

  Weston points at Decker. “Send the text. Right now.”

  “On it, Prez.” Decker takes his phone and lets his fingers fly over the screen.

  “I’m going to talk to my old lady.”

  Weston steps closer to me. “I need you two to stay here for now. Let us handle it.”

  Another fucking order. I give him a tight nod and head for my room. The anger is still vivid in my veins with everything going on and not being able to head out and do something. But the second my eyes land on my bed, everything going on in the outside world is forgotten.

  Her light brown hair is splayed all over the pillows. Her eyes are still closed and there’s a look of utter relaxation displayed on her face. I release a deep breath and trust my brothers to handle the cattle because my focus right now is Cassidy.

  I hate waking her up but she needs to know what’s going on. I sit down next to her on the bed and let my fingertips trail over her cheek, clearing away some of her silky hair.

  “Wake up, sweetheart,” I murmur, and she doesn’t even stir.

  I take my time to let my hand trail over her soft skin. The floral tattoos covering her upper arm and some of her shoulder and onto her back are a colorful addition.

  I’m still tracing the pattern when she croaks, “You’re dressed. Are you going somewhere?”

  This woman has been lied to, robbed, left alone, and had her feelings stomped on while they ripped her heart out. No way will I lie or keep thin
gs from her. Honesty, that’s what she’ll always get from me, even if it hurts.

  “I had a meeting with Decker and Weston.” I take a deep breath and hope she doesn’t freak out on me or get angry because I checked up on her ex and that bitch from her past.

  “Decker is former FBI and still has connections. I asked him to check out Daisy.”

  Cassidy surges up and anger washes over her face. I brace for impact since she looks like she’s going to rant, reprimand, hell, I don’t know what to expect but I know it’s going to be bad.

  “She’s a mean bitch, Roper. She doesn’t care about animals at all. You’re right to check her out but please, don’t sell her any horses, you can’t...it won’t end well. I’ll buy them instead. I have little saved but—”

  “Dammit, woman,” I growl and take her gorgeous face in my hands. “There’s no way I’m selling her anything. And you sure as fuck don’t have to pay for any horse I own. What’s mine is yours, sweetheart. You’re my old lady, everyone knows, including you because there’s no denying the fact that we belong together. And I had Daisy and Kai checked out because I needed to know about the people who hurt my woman. And what Decker found out? I’m pretty damn sure our herds are in danger. Hell, you could be in danger because that bitch and her half-brother are insane.”

  “Half-brother?” Her forehead scrunches up and I now realize she doesn’t even know that the guy she was married to—well she managed to get an annulment due to the whole fraud, reasons, motives for marrying her to steal the horse Daisy wanted to compete with—is in fact related to Daisy.

  I can’t help but cringe when I tell her, “Kai and Daisy share the same father.”

  “Oh, ew,” Cassidy gasps and is now the one cringing. “I can’t believe I gave him my virginity. And he wasn’t very good either. Yikes. I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “Decker informed us how they run a scheme with buying horses. They head out to buy one and scope out the place, and then they come back to steal all others later and slaughter them for the meat to sell on the black market. And if they have anything left they just mix it up with beef so nothing gets wasted.”

  Her eyes go wide and she grips my leather cut right at the vice president patch. “We have to go. We need to check on the horses and make sure everything is secure. She can’t have the horses. Oh, God. Boulder. Here I mourned one horse while all along they slaughtered many more.”

  I wrap her tightly in my arms but she starts to struggle and snaps, “I’m serious, Roper. We need to go and check. Even if nothing’s wrong, I need to see for myself if they’re okay.”

  “You’re such a sassy pants with a big heart. But my president gave me a direct order to stay here. Before I came looking for you, I was in church, discussing things with Decker and Weston when Alfie stormed inside. Seems like a herd of Longhorns escaped from their pasture. My brothers are handling it since at this point we don’t consider it a coincidence. Decker said it must be a distraction if someone deliberately broke them free. Everyone has been informed about Kai and Daisy, let the MC handle it, they will update us when it’s clear what happened.”

  “They know what happened to me?” she whispers and her cheeks flame up.

  Fuck. How can she be embarrassed by what happened to her years ago?

  “What happened wasn’t your fucking fault. And the only ones who know what happened to you are Weston and Decker, but they won’t repeat a word of it. Well, maybe Weston will rattle his mouth to his old lady. Weston won’t ever keep things from her and the same goes for us.” A sigh rips from me. “Sorry. I don’t know if you told Harlene about your past, and if you didn’t…I think it’s good she finally knows. I keep repeating it but that shit wasn’t your fault and talking about it would have lightened the load of guilt you’re feeling. And it is guilt because no woman with a love for horses would stop riding and avoid the very animals they love without good reason. And that reason for you is guilt, and that ends now.”

  A lone tear slides over her cheek. “I miss riding so damn much.”

  I brush the wetness away and tell her. “Then when you give birth to our baby you’re going to get back in the saddle.”

  Her eyes narrow. “You did not just say that.”

  The corner of my mouth twitches. “I believe I did. We’re not risking our kid.”

  “Our kid?” she growls. “I haven’t even peed on a freaking stick yet and you’re already telling me what I can and can’t do?”

  “I only mentioned the one thing you can’t do, but do I need to make a list?”

  She starts to sputter at my words and I can’t help but bark out a laugh.

  “I’m kidding, Sassy. I wouldn’t dream of laying down the law for you. I want you safe and healthy but I’m pretty sure you’re a good judge of what your body can and can’t do. But you do need to pee on a stick, and we’ll head out to get a pregnancy test as soon as we can. Though it wouldn’t make a difference since I plan to knock you up real soon if you aren’t carrying my kid yet.”

  She stalks to the refrigerator and takes out a bottle of water. Bending over. Fully naked.

  “Fucking minx. Keep it up and I’ll never let you leave my damn room ever again.”

  Her giggle is music to my ears as I stroll over and give her a hard kiss. Seeing as we were ordered to stay here, we might as well enjoy ourselves.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  — Cassidy —

  I stroll into the stable and see Harlene working on a horse. It’s been sixteen days since Roper and I got back together again, and it’s the same amount of days since we’ve last seen Daisy. The Longhorns that were missing were found a few miles away and they’re not sure how the fence gave way.

  They fixed the fence and added extra security, though we haven’t heard from Daisy nor Kai. Roper keeps telling me Decker and his contacts have it under control and how the proper authorities are working on putting them behind bars.

  He also never lets me out of his sight. Unless we’re at the ranch, surrounded by his MC brothers and all the security I’m allowed to roam around on my own. Another thing he’s mentioned, how he wished for them to come here so he can kill them himself. Though, I’d rather have them behind bars because I don’t want Roper to risk his life or to be the one ending up behind bars.

  Yet, I don’t think we’ll hear from either one because it’s been years since I last saw them and after what they did to me and Boulder. But I trust Roper and know he’s overbearing but it’s also sweet the way he puts me before anything. Okay, maybe a little too overbearing when it concerns my health, mainly if it involves the little baby growing inside me. Sixteen days ago we took a pregnancy test and I indeed turned out to be pregnant.

  I never gave one thought in my life to becoming a mom. It’s easy enough not to think about raising a family because I didn’t even want a boyfriend since I don’t trust anyone to begin with. But that all changed when Roper came into my life.

  Good thing we have months before the baby is born but Roper already seems prepared with all the books he ordered online. Including a baby names book. The arguing over a name has started and it’s safe to say we’re both equally excited about starting a life together.

  “What are you doing in here? I would have thought you’d be hanging around the riding arena,” Harlene says while her eyes go back to the horse in front of her.

  “I’ve seen Roper train his horses for days now and all it does is make me drag him off the horse and into the bedroom,” I grumble while Harlene laughs.

  She reaches for the horse’s leg which is covered with blood—from what seems like a nasty looking gash—as she says, “Don’t start. I have the same reaction when I see Weston either riding a horse or his bike. Those men shouldn’t be all sexy all day, every day. Us women need to work from time to time and they make our heads go straight into the gutter with all the power they have between their legs. Pun totally intended and all.” She leans in to get a closer look at the wound and mutters, “I’m gonna sut
ure this but leave it open so it can drain.”

  I can’t help but snicker and step closer to glance over her shoulder to see what she’s talking about. “Did he get kicked or nicked himself on something?”

  “They weaned the foals this morning,” Harlene says and assesses the wound with her fingers.

  Poor thing. There is always a bit of a fuss when they take the foals away from the mares. Roper and I talk a lot about everything and we recently had a long discussion about weaning. He breeds and trains horses and it’s refreshing to hear his outlook on these things. He never checks age but knows each and every animal on this ranch and assesses their development. Either social, physical or mentally, he always observes and acts on what’s best for the animal itself.

  “Sounds like you don’t need any help after all.” I give her a smile and rethink my activities. “I’m going to head for the riding arena.”

  “Why don’t you saddle a horse and enter the riding arena yourself instead of gawking over your old man? Turn the tables and let him gawk instead.” Harlene shoots me a challenging look along with it.

  “Is this another intervention? You’re missing Joaquin who joined you last time.” I scrunch up my nose and shoot out my tongue.

  She shrugs and simply says, “You needed the intervention we gave you about your past and needing friends to talk to. Now you know. But no, this is about you getting back the pleasure of riding because those assholes took that from you as well. And I know damn sure you can saddle a horse and ride it because you never forget how to ride.”

  I chew on my bottom lip and come up with a cheesy excuse. “Roper doesn’t want me riding. He’s scared something might happen to—”

  “Oh, shut it,” Harlene snaps. “Every second something can happen in life that makes time stop and rips souls away from this planet. That doesn’t mean you have to stop living. You’re an experienced rider, years apart or not, you know how to handle a horse. And look at this foal here, he thought the world was falling apart this morning, being torn away from his mom and getting hurt. But I’m going to stitch him up, the wound will heal, and he might carry a scar with him for the rest of his life, but he’s still breathing, still gonna run around and do foolish and fun things. Live, Cassidy. Besides, you on a horse makes Roper gawk at you and then there’s the hot and steamy...win, win, my friend.”