by Bellus, HJ
Granddad lets out a chuckle. “Looks like it went damn good.”
He stands to his feet. “I couldn’t be prouder of you two. You never gave up on each other and now have the rest of your lives to reap the benefit of it. I’m going to take a nap.”
“Love you.” Ella smiles back to him as I nod in his direction.
“Stand up.” I tug Ella’s hand until she’s standing and then sit in her chair and pull her down on me.
“How’s my babies this morning?” I raise her shirt up and kiss her belly.
“Happy.”
Sitting back up, I turn and meet Ella’s lips. It never gets old feeling her sweet skin on mine and drinking in her taste. I cover her cheek with one palm as I dip my tongue in her mouth, slowly pull back and then slowly land several light kisses on her lips.
“Thank you for loving me, Ella, and believing in me.” I rub my nose against hers. “And giving me everything.”
“We were always meant to be, Maverik. Thanks for not giving up on me.”
I’ll never let her forget just how much I need her in my life. Not one day will pass without me being thankful for her. My lips seal to hers again. Ella nibbles on the tip of my tongue before entering my mouth and sweeping her tongue across the front of my teeth. I pull back because the action gets me way too excited way too quickly.
“Ella, my dear, I do believe we just endured the rules of the ride together.”
We rock in silence in the morning sun, enjoying each other’s company. I watch Mav as he unsaddles both horses, combs them down, and even fetches each of them a bucket of water. Then he pulls his rope out and starts roping a bale of straw. Throw after throw, he catches the corner of it.
I kiss the top of Ella’s head knowing I need to get up and get back to work but just can’t find the motivation to leave my girl quite yet. Merek and Challis pull up in their truck. Challis jumps out and starts throwing loops with Mav as Merek walks my way.
“What’s up with the barn being padlocked?” I ask Merek.
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
Ella stirs in my arms. “Baby, wake up and go inside and take a nap on Granddad’s couch.”
Merek helps her up and holds the door open for her before taking a seat next to me.
“That fucking barn door has a lock on it. We tried to get in to unsaddle the horses.”
“What in the hell?” Merek takes his hat off and scratches his head.
“Do you have bolt cutters in your truck?” I ask him.
“No, what in the hell, do you think I’m a crook?”
“I’m going to grab the cutting torch from the shop.”
Merek follows me down to the shop.
“Do you think…” Merek starts.
“No way.”
The torch is a bitch to get lit, but once I get it going, it only takes three passes before the metal melts away and the lock hangs loose. The metal is so hot, you can smell it. Merek puts on his gloves, removes the lock, and pushes the doors open.
“This shit smells like Saint.” I cringe when the words leave my mouth.
“It does.” Merek agrees as he flips on the lights.
Everything in the barn is in the right place with nothing touched or out of line. We both stand stupefied as to why someone put a lock on the barn door.
“Call Marvel and see if he knows what in the hell is going on.”
Merek pulls his phone from his back pocket. “It’s probably his paranoia getting the best of him.”
Merek dials his ass up and puts the phone to his ear when a whinny from a horse startles both of us.
“What in the fuck?” Merek ends the call. The barn is supposed to be empty.
We both march down to the last stall.
“Son of a bitch.” I throw my hat to the ground.
“He didn’t.”
It’s number twenty-one, the fastest and most athletic colt we trained for Saint.
I pull my phone up and dial Marvel’s number over and over again.
“He fucking stole the horse from Saint.” Merek slams his fist into the gate.
“Go get Challis and Mav inside now and get Granddad up and his gun out. Someone will be after this colt.”
“Fucking stubborn ass Marvel.” Merek takes off in a full sprint.
I check all the stalls, making sure Weston or Marvel aren’t hiding out somewhere. I try his number a few more times with no answer. Each time he doesn’t answer, horrible thoughts begin to sink in.
I meet Merek in the middle of the dirt lot.
“I got them all in. Told Granddad what happened and he said we need to find Marvel.”
“He’s not answering.”
“Let’s pay Saint a little visit.” Merek crunches his knuckles together.
“We don’t even know if he knows.”
“He has to, Maverik.”
Reluctantly, I agree with Merek. As he turns his engine to life, a cloud of smoke rolls down the driveway.
“It has to be Marvel,” I whisper.
We both hop from the cab, and as the truck draws closer, I notice a gooseneck trailer behind it. The roar of a diesel engine pulls up feet from us, skidding to a stop. It’s one of Saint’s company trucks. The driver and passenger doors open at the same time. Saint and one his giant goons walk toward us.
“Where is he?”
Merek and Saint have a past of their own. Merek never backs down to anyone, even if his common sense was screaming at him.
“Who the fuck you talking about?”
I notice two other men crawl from the back seat and head for the barn.
“Where’s my colt?”
“Where’s my brother?” Merek steps right up to Saint.
Saint’s wicked laugh is deafening. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
Merek squares up to Saint and spits in his face. I try to pull him off the slimy bastard but fists are flying before I have a chance to do anything. Merek takes him down fast, raining hell on his face, but Saint’s goon is on Merek. I cold cock the giant from behind, stunning him briefly and then try to drag Merek back.
A gun shot goes off from behind us, not just one but three of them. We all freeze and turn to see Granddad with his shotgun pointed up in the air; he swings it down and reloads it.
“Merek, Maverik, over here now.”
Saint spits out blood as he tries to sit up. “Listen to your grandpa, little boys.”
Merek reacts, but I’m quick enough to pull him back by the arm before another fight breaks out.
“Get off Silver Star, now,” Granddad hisses. “You take anything from my ranch and I’ll let this gun do the talking.”
Saint’s men help him to his feet. “Your grandson stole one of our colts. I’m here to get it back.”
“You’re not taking the colt or leaving here until I know where Marvel is.”
“You’re not going to shoot me? You’re probably as spineless as your son.”
Granddad pulls his shotgun up to his shoulder and pulls the trigger, sending several bb’s into the tire of the truck.
“Guess you don’t have a choice now, do you?” Granddad’s voice is full of venom.
Merek and I both eye each other with shock.
“The cops are on their way now. They’ll sort through this shit.”
Saint grins. “You know I own the department.”
“What you don’t know is that there’s been a rebellion. Everyone is sick of your fucking games.”
“Grab the gun from him if you get the chance,” I whisper to Merek. The longer Granddad argues with Saint, the more irritated he becomes. I don’t want him doing anything stupid.
“Cute, real cute, you think you actually have a chance against me.” He leans back against the grill of his truck and folds his arms. “Oh, and you’ll never find your grandson. I don’t handle thieves very well.”
The shotgun is nested back up in Granddad’s shoulder. I reach for the barrel right as he fires it and am able to flip it high en
ough so the shot shatters the top of Saint’s front window.
Then all hell breaks loose with everything happening at once. Merek is on Saint again as Granddad collapses to the ground. I hear the front door open and see Challis give Ella the phone and race down the sidewalk.
“House, now,” I yell at Ella. “Lock the doors and go down to the basement until I come for you two.”
Challis has Granddad cradled in her arms crying and screaming for help. I start swinging, trying to knock Saint’s men off of Merek and pull him back. There’s too many of them as they easily handle us. A shiny blade catches my attention. It’s aimed right at Merek’s arm.
“Stop, fucking stop,” I yell. “Take the fucking colt.”
I throw my hand between Merek’s riding arm and the knife. The blade easily ruptures through my arm. Sirens come racing up the lane, causing Saint’s men to back off. They hop in their truck and fire their engine. Merek’s possessed as he jumps through the passenger side window, lunging for Saint’s throat.
Four deputies surround us, pulling the men from the truck. I hear one call for an ambulance. The voice on the other end of the radio relays there’s one on the way.
“He needs help.” I point to Granddad, who lies on the ground. I recognize the sheriff and know he’s a good man and not on anyone’s payroll. He sends one of his deputies over, who starts performing CPR on Granddad.
“What’s going on, Maverik?” the sheriff asks me.
I shake my head, not knowing where to begin. “I think Saint did something to Marvel. We can’t get ahold of him.”
“Start at the beginning.” He pulls out his notepad and then hollers to some new officers who just arrived on the scene. “Keep those four handcuffed and get a god damn ambulance here now.”
Saint looks over at me and smiles. “He’ll die before an ambulance gets here. I do know I have enough pull there. Paid them off big never to respond to a call on Silver Star.”
This time I lunge for the devil but am stopped by the sheriff who takes care of Saint for me by landing a punch to his jaw and then stuffing him in the back of a car.
“I’m taking him in,” Challis yells as she dashes for her truck. Several officers help lay Granddad in the back seat as the deputy continues to perform CPR. I go to climb in the truck but am stopped by the sheriff.
“I can’t let you or your brother go.”
I nod in agreement but know Merek will have to be restrained. “My brother will go ape shit crazy.”
“Then I suggest you do your best to calm him down, so I’m not forced to arrest him.”
Merek is tense as he listens to the whole conversation. I see him on the verge of losing his shit.
“C’mon, Maverik, I need you right now.”
“The faster you answer these questions, the quicker you can go to your granddad’s side.”
An officer begins applying pressure to my arm with a large wrap. “I came in from a ride this morning and the barn door was locked with a padlock. Merek and I used a cutting torch to get it off. One of Saint’s colts was in a stable. We think…”
“We think Saint planted it there being a dick,” Merek interrupts.
I continue on. “Then shit went down when Saint pulled up demanding his colt back. Granddad told him no and to wait for you guys. He also said he wanted to know where Marvel was. Saint told him that we’d never find Marvel again and that’s when Granddad shot out their tires and window.”
I mentally note all the little white lies that I fill my story with to cover Marvel’s tracks.
“Okay, but I’m confused. Why would Saint do anything to Marvel?”
All the pieces would fall in place for the sheriff if I told him it’s Marvel who stole the colt.
“We trained these colts for Saint to pay off some of my dad’s debt. Marvel and Saint have been at war through the whole thing.”
“I’ll be back.”
The sheriff goes over to Saint’s crew and gets their account. Merek’s phone goes off in his pocket.
“It’s an unknown number.”
“Answer it,” I demand.
“Hello.” Merek puts the call on speakerphone.
“Merek.”
“Challis?”
The voice on the other end is hysterical.
“They just pronounced him dead. Granddad is dead.”
“I’m coming, Challis. Wait there.”
“He’s dead,” she screams from the other end.
“Sheriff, we need you over here.” I signal him with my hand. “Challis just called and…”
I fight to say the fucking words as he walks up to me. “He’s dead. Granddad passed. Please send Merek to the hospital with a deputy. She needs someone.”
“Go ahead.” He nods to one of his officers.
Only one cop car remains in the lot. “I’m almost finished up here, Maverik, hold tight.”
I send up several silent prayers as I pace the gravel that Challis was mistaken or overreacting. There’s no way, just no way. He just had his heart fixed. No fucking way.
“Okay, Maverik, I’m sending the colt home with Saint. He claims Marvel stole it from him. He has the brand papers to prove ownership.”
The slow burn of rage and irritation erupt in me. “Where in the fuck is my brother, Saint? You told us we’d never find him.”
Saint has the audacity to shrug his shoulders back at me.
“You worthless motherfucker.”
“Maverik, calm down. He’s only trying to get you wound up.”
“My brother isn’t answering his phone and has been missing since last night. I highly fucking suggest you look into it.” I thump the sheriff on the chest with my finger.
One of his officers grabs my arm, ripping it behind my back when their radio goes off and silences everyone, including Merek who was about to jump in his truck.
“Code black. One dead on arrival and a bus code 3. Mile marker one forty-seven on highway forty. Calling all available officers. Two men in their twenties. Blunt trauma to their heads and wounds on neck.”
“I was wrong. I guess you found him.”
THE END
Book #3 in The Silver Star Ranch Novels
Branding A Legacy
(Marvel’s book)
November 2015
Discover the back-story behind Marvel’s fatal decision.
www.hjbellus.com
Acknowledgments
What a crazy ride! The Silver Star novels have been so much fun to write. It’s crazy how the characters have developed and the ranch took on a life of its own. None of this would be possible without the love and support from readers, bloggers, and close friends. I have so many dedicated and caring people behind me that it overwhelms my heart with joy. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to continue chasing my dreams and writing.
I can’t wait to bring you the FINAL installment of Silver Star. It has far been the toughest to write and also the most intriguing with twists and turns around every single corner.
Always to my sweet family, Tim, Libby, and Gus who put up with a grumpy and stressed author. You give me the strength to carry on and smiles to cherish. I love you three like crazy.
Playlist
Texas Tornado – Tracy Lawrence
Texas Was You- Jason Aldean
Home – Blake Shelton
Faster Gun – Little Big Town
If I Drink This Beer – Nashville Cast
Tattoos On This Town – Jason Aldean
When Will I Be Loved – Karla Bonoff & Vince Gill
Over When It’s Over – Eric Church
Guys Like Me – Eric Church
Kiss This – Aaron Tippin
Burning House – Cam
Like A Wrecking Ball – Eric Church
Homegrown – Zac Brown Band
Drink to That All Night – Jerrod Niemann
I’m to Blame – Kip Moore
Smoke Break – Carrie Underwood
Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
>
Me and Johnny Cash – Rainey Qualley
Gunpowder & Lead – Miranda Lambert
The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16 – Keith Urban
Dirt – Florida Georgia Line
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Holding Her and Loving You – Clay Walker
Things You Don’t Think About – Little Big Town
Social Media Links
Website: www.hjbellus.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHjBellus
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7079478.H_J_Bellus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HJBellus
Contents
Copyright
Dedication
1. Maverik
2. Maverik
3. Maverik
4. Maverik
5. Maverik
6. Ella
7. Maverik
8. Ella
9. Maverik
10. Maverik
11. Ella
12. Maverik
13. Ella
14. Maverik
15. Ella
16. Ella
17. Ella
18. Maverik
19. Maverik
20. Ella
21. Maverik
22. Ella
23. Maverik
24. Ella
25. Maverik
26. Maverik
Untitled
Acknowledgments