Triple H Ranch [Slick Rock 13] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  Max finally removed his hand from her nose but kept it clamped tightly over her mouth. She drew in breath after breath, filling her oxygen-depleted lungs with blessed air. She tensed when he dragged her away from the door and headed toward the sliding glass doors that led to the secluded patio and fenced-off pool and spa. The arm he had wrapped around her waist released her, but the gun was once more pressed against her temple.

  “Open it.”

  Her fingers shook as she fumbled with the latch and then she pushed the door open, wishing that her men weren’t so fastidious about having a clean house because if they hadn’t been, maybe the door would have made some noise as it slid on the runner. But what good would that do her since there was no one else in the house?

  Max moved the gun from her temple to the middle of her back and shoved her forward with the barrel. She stumbled but managed to stay on her feet as she placed one foot in front of the other. She glanced from side to side, searching and hoping someone would see her and her crazy assed uncle, but the blue-tinted corrugated tin fence used to screen the barn and driveway from the pool and spa was too high, and she couldn’t see anyone off to the sides, either.

  Cat decided the only avenue of escape was to make a run for it, but she knew if she did that she would end up getting shot, but maybe it would stop others from getting hurt. She wasn’t sure if Max had a silencer on his gun, but was she willing to take the chance?

  When she heard the crunch of tires on gravel, she knew that time was up. It was do or die.

  * * * *

  “What did you want my help for?” Hank snapped as he scooped up another load of soiled straw from the stall before dropping it into the wheelbarrow. “Surely you could have handled this on your own?”

  David glanced at Hank from the corner of his eye. He had a feeling Hank thought they’d all forgotten it was his birthday. His older brother was going to have to eat crow once he found out he was keeping him out of the house for a reason. He decided to have a little fun at Hank’s expense.

  “What crawled up your ass? I thought you’d be happy. Cat finally admitted she loved us and let us claim her together.”

  The scowl left Hank’s face and turned into a dreamy smile. David chuckled. He knew exactly how his brother felt. Content, happy, and in love. He’d never seen such a sappy look on Hank’s face before and had no doubt he probably looked just as foolish, but he didn’t care.

  “Where the hell is Barry?”

  David shrugged and tried to hide his smirk, quickly turning away to break open the fresh hay bale. He laid down fresh straw, and by the time they’d finished, he heard a car coming up the driveway. He hoped it was Barry back from his run to town.

  “Are we expecting anyone?”

  David shrugged again and slowly walked toward the entrance, Hank on his heels.

  “It’s the Wendalls and they’re loaded down with food.” Hank glanced at David before striding toward Sabrina.

  “Hank, happy birthday.” Sabrina smiled and relinquished the large pie plate to Hank’s hands before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek.

  David waited until she’d finished greeting his brother before he swooped in for a hug and kissed her forehead. “Hey, Sab.”

  “Hi, David. Where’s Cat?”

  “Inside.”

  Sab nodded and rushed to open the door so that Trick, Tristan, and Trent could enter since their hands were full. Hank and David followed.

  “Wow, she has everything ready.”

  “I guess you all didn’t forget after all. Did you?” Hank asked.

  David punched him in the arm. “As if.”

  “So who else is coming?” Hank walked toward the fridge, opened the door, and turned to look at David over his shoulder. “It’s full of food.”

  “That’s what usually happens when you invite a heap of people over for a barbecue,” Sab said facetiously.

  Smack.

  Sabrina squealed and spun to glare at Trick. “Hey!”

  “Hey, yourself, baby.” Trick smirked before pulling Sab into his arms.

  “The beers in the fridge on the verandah,” David said.

  “Do you think Cat would mind if I looked for her?” Sab asked.

  “She’s probably getting changed in the master bedroom.” David pointed.

  “Thanks.” Sabrina smiled and hurried from the room.

  “Come on out to the deck.” David led the way to the open glass door and headed straight to the glass-doored fridge, which was full of beer. He just passed the last one to Tristan before getting one for himself when he heard Sabrina scream, “Help!”

  * * * *

  Max covered her mouth when he heard the car and kept the muzzle of the gun hard against her temple. No matter how hard she tried to stop the tremors wracking her body, she couldn’t stop shaking.

  Tears welled and spilled over her lids when she heard Hank, David, Sabrina, and the Wendall men talking. She wondered if she would ever get to see any of them again. She wanted more than anything to tell them one last time how much she loved the Heritage men, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever get the chance.

  Their voices drifted away as they moved toward the front stairs and into the house. As soon as the door closed, Max released her mouth, fisted her braid, and shoved her around the fence screen and off the side of the driveway. She expected him to guide her up the long drive, but he didn’t. He forced her toward the fence and the east pasture. When she got to the wire fence, he stepped through the metal strands, still holding her braid and pointing the gun toward her.

  The moment he was through and upright, he gave her hair a vicious tug and dragged her over the fence. Fire burned along her hip, and she bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood. It was the only way to stop herself from screaming in pain.

  Her knees buckled, and she would have fallen if Max hadn’t had a hold of her hair. She managed to get her feet under her, her knees locked, and she took a step just as she heard a loud piercing scream.

  Heedless of the pain of turning her head since Max had such a tight grip on her braid, her gaze snagged on Sabrina standing at the edge of the screen fence. In her periphery, she saw her uncle’s arm moving as he raised his arm pointing the gun toward her new friend.

  Anger surged through her body and hazed her vision. She didn’t stop to think, she just acted.

  Cat slammed her arm up under Max’s as hard as she could. His arm jerked just as he pulled the trigger. The gunshot was so loud near her ear she ended up with a ringing in her ears and then nothing at all, but that didn’t stop her.

  She twisted her body into Max’s, grabbed hold of the wrist, the one with the gun in his hand, and she dug her nails into his skin as they fought. Fury gave her added strength, and she was able to flip her father’s brother over her back as she bent forward, but she ended up falling and landing on top of him. Cat had made a grave mistake. She’d forgotten he still had hold of her hair. Pain seared the tender skin under her chin when the gun was pressed hard against her flesh. Her uncle’s eyes were crazed, but they were also as cold as ice, and she had a feeling she was looking death in the eyes.

  * * * *

  Hank’s heart stopped when he heard Sabrina scream. He dropped the bottle of beer and sprinted toward the master bedroom, then out the open sliding glass door when he saw it was empty. Loud footsteps pounded behind him, and he knew his brother and friends were following. His shoulder banged into the doorway, but he ignored the pain when he saw Sabrina standing by the fence screening the spa and pool from the barn and yard.

  The horrified look on Sabrina’s face nearly had him going to his knees and while he was still moving, his heart pounding in his chest and fear searing him to his soul, he felt as if he was moving in slow motion. He didn’t stop until he was standing in front of Sab, shielding her with his body, and turned to where her gaze had been.

  Time seemed to stand still when he saw that Cat was in the clutches of her uncle. Her arm came up hard against his
arm when the gun was pointed in their direction and then she was fighting for her life.

  He sprang into action, careless of the fact he didn’t have his gun strapped to his hip, nor that he could end up getting shot. All that mattered was getting to Catalina and saving her life.

  * * * *

  Barry saw Cat and her uncle as he pulled into the driveway. He pushed the accelerator to the floor, and when he was close enough, slammed on the breaks, and skidded to a halt. He didn’t even bother turning the engine off, just pulled the hand brake on, and jumped from the truck, before running toward the back. He unlocked the gun safe, removed his scoped rifle, and took aim. He cursed when he couldn’t get a clear shot, but he was patient, and the moment he had a clear view, the fucker was dead.

  * * * *

  David’s legs were trembling as he ran after Hank. When he saw that Cat’s uncle had her in his grips, he had to lock his knees in place. Adrenaline and fear coursed through his veins, pumping his muscles up as the fight-or-flight hormones took over, but there was also anger, anger that his woman was danger from her greedy sick relative. The bastard rolled over on the ground until he was on top of Cat and then he got to his knees and feet, taking her with him. She ended up with her back to her uncle and the gun to her head.

  His hand moved to the holstered gun at his hip, thankful he’d automatically secured it that morning even though it hadn’t really been necessary. When Hank turned his head David’s way, he nodded as he drew his gun. The sound of tires on gravel drew his attention, and he smiled in satisfaction when he saw Barry stop with a skid and jump from his truck. Of all of them, Barry was the best with a long-range rifle, though he and Hank weren’t slouches with the weapon either.

  Hank signaled that he was going in. After looking over at Barry once more, David saw that he already had the rifle aimed toward Cat and Max, but he knew he wouldn’t take the shot if it meant putting their woman in danger.

  David moved forward but panned out to the opposite direction to where Barry was, making sure he didn’t get too close to where his brother was aiming. The last thing he needed was to get shot if a bullet went through Cat’s uncle. He held his gun in a loose grip at his side, ready to aim and fire as he slowly moved closer.

  “Why don’t you let her go?” Hank asked in a calm voice as he drew to a halt near the fence. “There’s no way you’re getting out of here.”

  “Yes, I am,” Cat’s uncle screamed, pressing the barrel of the gun hard against her temple.

  David could see fear and pain in her eyes, and although he wanted to check over the rest of her body, he didn’t. If he was distracted, he could end up getting Cat killed. He shifted his gaze from Cat to the man holding her at gunpoint. There was a crazed look in his eyes, but there was also cold, hard determination. That was the moment David realized the fucker would kill his own niece without a qualm.

  “I have money if that’s what you want,” Hank stated. “How much do you need?”

  “Two million dollars.”

  “If you let her go, I can drop the cash off wherever you like.”

  “Do you think I’m fucking stupid?” Max screamed. “If I hand her over, I have no leverage.”

  “If you don’t, you’re going to die.”

  “Not while I have her I’m not.”

  David wished there was a way to get behind Cat and her uncle, but there were no trees in the paddock, nowhere to hide. He knew that the Wendall men were behind him and Hank and knew they would have called the sheriff, but he had a feeling if the fucker saw the law, he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot Cat.

  His heart was pounding in his chest, but he breathed deeply, managing to keep that steady at least. They were in a standoff, and he wasn’t sure what to do next.

  * * * *

  Cat knew there wasn’t anything her men could do. They wouldn’t shoot because of her. There was no way to sneak up on the bastard and take him out. It was up to her to find a way to give her guys a clear shot.

  From her peripheral vision to her right, she could see Barry holding a rifle against his shoulder and his finger was already on the trigger. Hank wasn’t armed and was trying to talk Max into letting her go, but he was a desperate man and in a desperate situation, which made him even more dangerous.

  David had fanned out from Hank and was on her left, but since his hands were down by his sides and she couldn’t see them, she didn’t know if he was armed.

  Max was shaking and panting, but she wasn’t sure if the reason was because of fear or if he was just plain loopy. Or maybe it was because she was shaking so much. She could see the Wendall brothers in the distance. Trick was on his cell phone, no doubt talking to one of the sheriffs. Tristan was holding Sabrina in his arms and it looked as if she was crying, and Trent, she couldn’t see.

  “This is your fault, you fucking cunt,” Max whined. “Why did you have to run?”

  Cat didn’t respond. She didn’t want to goad him into losing more of his shit. When she looked at Hank, her heart flipped. She glanced from the corner of her eye to Barry and then David. The fear in her heart changed in an instant. None of this was her fault. It was her uncle’s. He’d murdered her parents for money of all things, and he was going to kill her.

  She couldn’t let him win. She’d only just found the loves of her life. Just accepted that they were meant to be together. She wasn’t going to let him take that away from her.

  I love you, she mouthed, not sure if any of her men had seen her declaration.

  She let her ire build and the trembling in her body ceased. Blood pumped through her veins, to her muscles, filling her with strength and confidence. The only way she was getting out of this was to fight her way out. Just because she’d failed once already didn’t mean she’d fail again. All she needed was to distract her uncle long enough to make her move.

  “Why did you kill my parents?”

  “Shut up, cunt,” Max growled.

  “You know they had more than enough money to help you. If you’d told my dad you were in trouble, he would have given it to you.”

  “You don’t know that, bitch.”

  “Yes, I do. Family was everything to my mom and dad. You murdered your own brother and sister-in-law. For what? Greed? You’re a pathetic piece of shit,” Cat goaded. “You’re going to rot in jail for a long, long time.”

  “I said shut up!” he screamed.

  “Do you know what happens in jail? You’re weak and will end up as some inmate’s bitch. Won’t that be fun? You’ll have no say over who uses your body in a cell.”

  Max roared with fury. The hand holding the gun moved away and as he spun her around by her shoulder, she brought her knee up as hard as she could into his groin before diving away from him, hitting the ground hard.

  Three gunshots sounded almost simultaneously, and as the reports echoed away, she drew in a deep ragged breath. Cat tried to roll over onto her back, but she was quaking so hard, her muscles so weak, she didn’t have the strength to move. Tears welled and spilled over, and although her hip hurt where the barbed wire had torn her flesh, urging her to move off of it, she just didn’t have the energy.

  Loud noisy gasps assailed her ears, and she tried to see where it was coming from, but she was so tired, so bone weary her brain felt as if it was disconnected from her body. Her vision was hazy and dark spots pranced in front of her eyes as the darkness beckoned, and while she tried to fight the wooziness, this time she was fighting a losing battle.

  * * * *

  Hank jumped the fence the second he heard the shots and sprinted toward Cat, not sparing her uncle a second glance. He didn’t need to because he knew the fucker was dead. He fell to his knees and groaned when he saw that her eyes were closed but sighed with relief as he saw her body rise as she took a breath.

  “Is she hurt?” David asked as he knelt beside him.

  “Turn her over,” Barry ordered as he reached for Cat.

  Between the three of them, they carefully turned Cat onto her side in the
classic coma position and ran their hands over her body.

  “Fuck, she’s bleeding.” Hank’s heart started to pound again.

  “Roll her onto her back,” David said.

  “Damn it!” Barry growled. “The skin near her hip is torn.”

  “We need to get her back to the house.”

  “Is she all right?” Trent asked as he jogged over to them.

  Hank wasn’t sure, so he shrugged and then met Trent’s gaze. “Thank you.”

  “Hey, you helped us keep Sab safe.”

  “I think your shot killed him.” Barry nodded at Trent.

  “All three shots were kill shots,” Trent stated.

  “Yours was dead center in the middle of his forehead,” David said.

  “Yours was to his heart.” Trent smiled before looking at Barry. “And yours was through his temple.”

  “Who cares who killed the fucker,” Hank snarled as carefully lifted Cat into his arms. “We need to get Cat to the hospital.”

  When he got to the fence, he gently passed her over to Barry after he’d jumped the wire strands. He wanted to demand her back, but he knew that his brothers needed to hold her and be reassured that she was going to be okay, too.

  “I called the doctor,” Trick said as he held the door open for Barry so he could carry Cat inside. “He was on the neighboring ranch and will be here any minute.”

  Hank nodded his thanks and rushed to the sofa where Barry gently placed their woman. Cat moaned and gasped just before her eyes sprang open.

  “You’re safe, darlin’.” David placed his hand on her shoulder in case she tried to sit up.

  “Are you all right, sweetheart?” Hank carefully lifted Cat’s legs and sat on the cushion before lowering them over his lap.

  “I’m okay,” she whispered and shivered as her eyes frantically searched the room. “Where…”