by Piper Stone
“You’re nothing! You’re nothing!” Screaming over and over again, his face turned red, his mouth frothing.
As she began to pass out, she thought about the first moment they’d kissed. Sweet. Gentle. Loving.
Monster.
Shuddering, Stasha gripped her neck, gasping for air and staggering into the dresser. Blinking, tears slipped down her cheeks. Boone was different. Boone was special. Boone was… Oh. My. God. How could he accept her? How could he tolerate damaged goods? She clenched her eyes shut, willing the ugliness to disappear. This wasn’t going to happen now. Not again. Not ever.
She counted to ten then opened her eyes. The face staring back at her held anguish. Sniffing, she brushed her hands through her hair and grabbed her clothes. Boone was never going to know. Never. Making a promise to herself, she walked into the bathroom to freshen up, grabbing his tube of toothpaste. Every move perfunctory, she managed to look half way decent.
Planting a smile on her face, she walked out into the living room. “Boone?”
There was no sound other than the creaking of the refrigerator.
The kitchen was also empty, but the coffee pot remained on, a note and an empty cup placed beside.
Help yourself to a cup. Training. Come join me…
A real smile crossed her lips and she poured a cup, finding cream. After taking a few sips, she ventured outside. She remained on the porch, admiring him from a distance. He was working with Blaze, no doubt taking him through his normal paces. The way the man moved on a horse was powerful, just as controlled as he’d been the night before. The man could ride.
She sipped on her coffee, her thoughts drifting to what the sheriff had said the day before. There had to be some reason that she’d been threatened other than just because of her words at the rodeo. But what and why? She knew few people in town. Perhaps she would do a bit of investigation on her own. Maybe Tom Withers had held a grudge.
Time was ticking, and she needed to get to the clinic, but she couldn’t resist watching him up close. She sauntered toward the corral, admiring his form, his lithe body handling such a masterful horse. As she hung over the railing, she sighed and couldn’t imagine life without him. Maybe she was just fooling herself, but she adored him.
Swinging the rope, Boone maneuvered Blaze around a series of turns before snapping his wrist. The coil swirled before opening up fully then snagged the mannequin like form with ease and flair.
“Woo-hoo! Four point six!” she called.
Boone turned Blaze around in two circles as he tipped his hat. “Well, thank you, pretty lady.” The twang exaggerated, he winked then rode closer, sliding off the horse. “I might have to keep you on my team.”
“Very funny. I might be your only team member.”
“Oh, cold!” Jumping up on the fence, he grabbed a quick kiss. “How did you sleep?”
“Like a rock but not enough. I need to leave. I have babies to feed and a clinic to run.” Stasha shrugged her shoulders.
“I understand. Maybe we can catch up later.” He frowned before jumping over the fence. “We do need to talk about a few things.”
“You mean like the fact you went to the ranch and found a bullet?”
Boone huffed before laughing. “And how did you know?”
“The sheriff came to see me.”
“Why the frown?”
“I think he knows more than he’s telling.”
“And what did he tell you?” he asked as he folded his arms, leaning against the railing.
“Just that he’d run the ballistics. He cautioned me to be careful. I could tell by his expression that he wasn’t telling me everything.” Stasha thought about the way the sheriff had said the words more than what he didn’t say.
Boone nodded. “Did you grill him as I know you can?”
“Very funny and I didn’t get the chance since some smokejumper seemed to be missing in action.” Touching his face, the same tingling shifted all the way down her spine. “Whew. I should go before I get myself into more trouble.”
He gripped her wrist. “Let this go for now. What I didn’t tell you was about the fire. Whatever is going on I think is bigger than the rodeo so I’m serious.”
“As in obey you?” Grinning, she batted her eyelashes.
“I’m serious, Stasha. The Carter ranch was burned to the ground and it happened in a matter of minutes. He lost several of his horses and several others were burned. The horse we found was one of the owner’s prized possessions.”
“That sounds like revenge.”
“Maybe. We have no idea because we aren’t lawmen. I don’t want you messing around in this. Maybe the perpetrator thinks you know more than you do. There’s a lot of money in horse theft. I know what I’m talking about. Happened in Texas when I lived there.”
She could see utter fear in his eyes for a split second. “I won’t do anything, but you need to hear this. Whoever is threatening me was in my clinic.”
“What?” Boone’s grip became tighter. “What did you say?”
Nodding, she wasn’t certain what to make of his mood swing given his snap to anger. “You’re hurting me.”
Letting go, he planted his hands on his hips. “You can’t do this kind of thing. Did you tell the sheriff this bit of news?”
“I didn’t have time. Shannon came to tell me about you.”
“Well, you’re gonna make the time!” Boone huffed. “I’m sorry. I’m worried about you. The gun used to shoot at you was a sniper’s rifle, the bullets specially designed to rip apart anything it comes into contact with. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?”
Swallowing, she searched his eyes. A sniper? “I do. I just… I don’t want to be forced out. I finally have a home that’s all mine.”
He shrunk back and opened his mouth then intertwined their fingers. “No one is going to push you out, but these assholes are serious. This isn’t the only fire or theft of some horses. A couple cases in Billings already. I have a terrible feeling this isn’t over.”
“Why? Why steal horses?”
Boone exhaled before speaking, his thumb rubbing back and forth across her fingers. “Been asking myself that question. Have a call out to a buddy of mine who might be able to shed some light onto what’s going on. Don’t ask any questions just yet. Let me hear what he has to say.”
“Boone. Whoever is after me might be from—”
Music began to play, interrupting her admission. Stasha bit her lip as Boone rolled his eyes, dragging his phone from his back pocket.
“I have to take this. Call me later?” Boone asked, giving her a quick kiss.
“Absolutely.” She chastised herself for even the thought of telling him about Drake. God, she hadn’t said his name in at least two years. Her heart was heavy as she walked back to the house to retrieve her things. One thing she knew for certain, if Drake was involved, he’d stop at nothing to get her back.
Including murder.
Boone huffed as he answered the phone. There was something off about Stasha and they needed more time. He also knew she was going to go off half-cocked, tackling this thing head on. “Spence. That was fast.” The nickname had been used since he could remember.
“I heard about yesterday. I don’t even know what to say, buddy except I’m glad you’re all right.” Spence huffed.
“Yeah, it was a shit day, but we survived. What did you find?”
Spence chuckled. “Same old friend. You don’t care about your welfare. You jump right in with both feet. I did find out a few things. Most of it is hearsay but you need to listen to me and not get involved. Let the authorities take care of this.”
“What do you know?”
“What I know is that we have new players on the circuit or I should say old players.”
“The Dreyfus family?”
“How the fuck did you figure that out? I thought you were way beyond what was going on in the rodeo world,” Spence said then laughed.
Boone walked toward th
e house. “I have a friend who knows everybody in town. He let me in on the Dreyfus family edition of bullshit.”
“Bullshit isn’t the word. They have connections going all the way to California. Powerful. Rich and trust me, they have friends. One of the sons is back in the loop and he’s a scary dude. Haven’t met him but from what I’ve heard, he’s buckin’ to take back presumed control as well as daddy’s money and influence.”
“How’s he doing that, stealing horses?”
“Okay, you didn’t hear this from me, but he has a partner and this man is from oil.”
“Texas?” Boone sat down on the porch steps, trying to understand what he was being told.
“Uh. No. Texas oil ain’t nothing compared to this dude. We’re talking Saudi’s.”
“Saudi Arabia? Are you shitting me?”
Snorting, Spence whistled. “I wouldn’t kid about shit like this. Everything is a big fat rumor but I’m telling you, there is some truth given a lot of regular players on the circuit are running scared. They’re backing out of the upcoming events like flies. Drugs are used in certain circumstances. There are some bad dudes trying to force ranchers into selling and if they don’t sell, they take. You get what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, I hear you. They’re taking the cream of the crop then pushing the other ranchers out of business. No wonder I was offered an opportunity to compete. No one else wanted to.” The news was interesting.
“Maybe so. I’d stay away from this, as in keep a wide berth. There’s already talk and a lot of it. If you ask too many questions, they’re going to notice. They don’t take kindly to strangers and these recent fires are kids play. A couple of people are missing as in presumed dead. They will get what they want.”
“The guy at the ranch.” Boone shook his head. What had they stumbled onto?
Spence exhaled. “Some guy was talking in a bar recently, bragging when he was drunk. Disappeared the next day.”
“And you’re just a park ranger?” Boone teased. As soon as he said the words, he heard what sounded like a glitch in his buddy’s voice.
“A park ranger with a sense for danger. Stay out of it, Boone. As far as you can get. As far as your veterinarian friend, there’s some connection. I don’t know what or why but that’s what I heard.”
A connection? How in the hell could she have some connection? Boone exhaled and rubbed his mouth. “Noted. I’ll let the authorities handle it.”
“Right. I can hear your wheels churning from here.”
“What’s this kid’s name, the Dreyfus son?”
Colton hesitated. “The more I tell you the more I know you’re going to jump in. Again.”
“Just tell me. Her life has been threatened. I can at least tell the sheriff.”
“Fine. His name is Bo, but some call him Monster. His employees call him Mr. Smith. I guess he thinks that’s funny. From what I heard, there’s plenty of reasons to be terrified of the asshole. Slick as a whistle but will cut you down in a dead ass heartbeat. He’s back in town and from what I’ve heard, using his siblings to do his dirty work.”
“Brothers. I heard that.” Boone clenched his fist.
“One brother, but there’s a sister too. She’s off kilter. Stories are she’s a hellion with a gun and an enjoyment for violence. I don’t know anything about her. Just keep your ears to the ground.”
A sister. Boone’s mouth was suddenly dry. Maybe one had shot at Stasha, even the horse. “Thanks for the info, buddy. We need to get together.”
“Just not by way of a fire. Damn sorry about Quigg Peak. I used to love going there as a kid.”
“Yeah, me too. We’ll talk later.” After hanging up the phone, he held it to his head, processing. Worrying. Bo Dreyfus. At least he had a name to go with a concept. He rose to his feet and just as he was about to enter the house, he heard the sound of crunching gravel.
When the sheriff’s car pulled up, he shoved the phone in his pocket and walked out to meet him.
Sheriff James cut the engine and climbed out of the car, slamming the door. “Boone. Nice morning. Glad to see you’re up and around.”
“I am too. I wasn’t certain for a little while.”
He scanned the ranch, nodding toward Blaze. “Beautiful horse. Funny to use a thoroughbred for ropin’ steer.”
“He’s not race worthy. Why I bought him. Strong boy, though. Likes working with me.” The look the sheriff gave him was odd.
“Worth some money, though.”
Boone walked closer. “What are you getting at?”
“Just a question, but I’d just keep an eye on him given the number of horses who were stolen from the Carter ranch night before last.”
“Shit. I thought that would happen.” No, the man’s expression was almost accusatory.
“You seem to know or care an awful lot about this case, Boone. Anything else you need to tell me?”
“Nothing, Sheriff, but I guess I could ask you the same question. Did you find the truck with the two guys?”
“I found two guys in a truck fitting the description, but they have alibis. They were in the area though.”
Boone knew the sheriff wasn’t going to give him anything else. “I know you were at Dr. Parker’s place yesterday asking questions.”
The sheriff lifted his hat, rubbing his forehead. “Yeah. That’s my job. She wasn’t very forthcoming.”
“She doesn’t like authority all that much. I suspect she has her reasons.”
“Yeah, she does. Tough lady.”
Boone thought about Stasha’s comment. The sheriff did know more than he wanted to let on. “So, what can I do for you, Sheriff? Just a friendly visit to see how I am?”
“Afraid not, Boone. Found out the identity of the man dumped on the ranch. Was an extra for the rodeo. They don’t stay in places very long, but he had a family. They disappeared, which is probably why they left the puppies behind.”
“Who was he?” This had to be the guy blabbing in a bar.
Sheriff James sauntered closer. “Bobby Jennings.”
The sheriff was fishing. “I know Bobby. He used to ride a long time ago. I didn’t know he moved up here.”
“Yeah. He did and from what I can tell, only about a year ago. My guess is he rented the place.”
“Guess. No paperwork?”
“None I can find yet. A lot of people make deals under the table, especially for transient types. We’re trying to locate the wife and kid now.”
Boone held his tongue. He knew he should provide the information he’d learned from Spence, but the sheriff seemed off, not his normal self. “Damn shame. Bobby was a good guy.”
“Heard he got in with the wrong crowd. I just wanted you to know.” He held out his hand, smiling yet his eyes were questioning. “Glad you’re okay, Boone. You’re a good man. I would hate to see you getting involved in any illegal activity.”
“What does that mean?” The visit was nothing more than a fishing expedition. Boone was seething but kept his cool.
The sheriff gave him another once over. “Not a thing, Boone. I just know the power of money.”
“Thank you, Sheriff. I appreciate you coming all the way out here, but there’s no amount of money in the world that could coerce me into criminal activity. You don’t know my background.”
“No, I don’t, son, but I’m glad to hear that.” He nodded then turned to go, stopping short. “Oh, and if you see that doctor again, let her know I still need to talk with her. I went back to the clinic yesterday and she wasn’t there.” This time, the sheriff grinned.
“She was with me all night. I’m certain she’ll be happy to talk with you.” The tension was suddenly palpable.
“Glad to know. Take care now, Boone.”
“One more question, Sheriff. How did Penny know about the puppies?”
Sheriff James shrugged before looking over his shoulder. “Penny knows a lot of people. Might just ask her.”
“Yeah, you do that.” Boone stood where he
was, his eyes pinned on the sheriff’s car until it rolled down the driveway. Whatever was going on had several people on edge. Just how powerful was the Dreyfus family? He was going to find out.
One way or the other.
Back on track, at least to a point. He eased out of bed and grabbed his robe. The scent of sex and blood remained in the air, the best smell to start the morning. Hearing a slight whimper, he huffed then walked into the kitchen. The slut could wait.
Glaring at the empty kitchen, he snorted then pulled a container of orange juice out of the refrigerator. Good help was hard to find. He took a gulp from the carton as his phone rang. He eyed the display and allowed it to get to the fifth ring before answering.
“What do you want?”
“That’s a nice way to speak to me. You aren’t even supposed to be here.”
Mr. Smith snorted as he took another gulp, wiping his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. “This is my home.”
“Not for the last ten years.”
He heard the glitch and laughed. “You just do as you’re told, and everything will be fine.”
“I don’t have to follow your directions. You’re nothing to me.”
“Bullshit!” His anger increasing, he gripped the carton with enough force juice sloshed out of the top. “You will do as I say.”
“Or what? What are you going to do to your own flesh and blood, eh brother?”
Sucking in his breath, he blinked as he tried to calm his rage. The last thing he needed to do was lose control. He was in over his head but no one, not a single fucking soul was going to know. “What did you find out?”
“Find? Nothing. He knows nothing.”
“Right. Just keep digging.”
“You owe me, brother and don’t you dare forget it. Father didn’t put you in charge for a reason. You’re worthless!”
Click!
Hissing, his body began to shake, his fingers crumpling the carton. As the juice ran down his arm, he could only see blood.
Wham!
Tossing the carton against the wall, he shook his arm and studied the way the pulp slithered down the wall. Family he didn’t need.