Page 60 of Savage Rancher
And I'm alone in the booth, staring at my cold coffee and unfinished lunch. I push the plate away and reach for my purse.
Cole's business card sits on the table, pristine and professional. I pick it up, turning it over in my hands. Cole Turner is dangerous—not because he's crude or obvious like Eli, but because he's intelligent. Because he knows how to make threats sound like opportunities. Because he understands that fear is more effective when it's wrapped in civility.
But here's the thing: Jake will see through that. Jake will recognize Cole as a threat, and Jake will eliminate him just like he eliminated Eli.
I can't let that happen—not if there’s a safer way.
The key is my dad’s file. I wonder if there’s anything there that’ll be enough to put Cole away without bloodshed. They got Capone on tax evasion, after all.
I'll tell Jake about this encounter, but I'll downplay it. Make it sound like Cole was just being a typical businessman, nothing to worry about. Nothing that requires Jake's particular brand of problem-solving.
I pull out my phone and type a message, keeping it light and casual.
Headed home.
To Blackthorn.
J
Good.
Meet you there.
I stare at the screen, my thumb hovering over the keyboard. I could tell him now. I could warn him about Cole.
But I don't.
Instead, I set the phone down and gather my things. I'll tell him in person. I'll make it sound like nothing. Just another day, another minor inconvenience.
And maybe, if I'm lucky, Cole will get bored and move on to easier targets.
Maybe this will all just fade away.
I can hope.
58
JAKE
The drive back to Blackthorn is quiet.
I've been running perimeter checks on the north pasture, assessing fence lines and checking the new motion sensors Mason installed last week. Operational tasks. The kind of work that keeps my hands busy and my mind sharp.
Shadow perches on the passenger seat, his head hanging out the window, tongue lolling. He's settled into ranch life better than any of us expected—follows Mason around like he's found his person, sleeps in the barn most nights, and only occasionally tries to herd the nonexistent cattle.
My phone buzzes in the cupholder.
I have my phone read it to me through the Bluetooth speakers in the truck.
Ace
Installation complete at Circle H. System's live.
Good. I exhale, the relief tangible. I may not like Emma being over there alone, but at least now I can rest a little easier.
I focus on the road. The ranch comes into view—ten thousand acres of Montana wilderness that's supposed to be our future. With horses now. Our way out of the life we left behind.
Mason, Luke, and I will have to discuss what we want to do about Hendrick’s offer, but I have a feeling we’re going to do it. I have Emma, and Mason has his horses now. But Luke? Luke left bored causes destruction. His nickname is Riot after all.
