Page 95 of Savage Rancher
"Main road," Luke says from the back. "We don't have time for tactical advantage."
I take the turn hard, tires biting gravel. "Agreed."
Mason doesn't argue. He knows. We have no idea how long Emma’s been gone. We only know two things with certainty: that Emma doesn’t have the experience to go up against a man like Turner, and our extraction window is closing fast.
My hands tighten on the wheel. I amterrified. I’ve never felt this scared in my life.
The road narrows. Trees close in on both sides.
I see the ridge ahead—dark silhouette against the night sky.
"Two minutes," Mason says.
I kill the headlights.
We go in dark.
96
EMMA
Smoke's hooves thunder against the earth. My thighs burn from gripping him, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
Instead of going back the way I came, I decide to head straight for the highway. It’s dark, and I don’t want to chance Smoke getting hurt. Besides, it’s closer, and there are a lot of cars on it this time in the evening.
Safety in numbers. I hope.
Then I hear it.
An engine. Behind me. Getting closer.
97
JAKE
The ridge crest reveals everything.
Staging area below: two cargo vans, three pickups, scattered work lights illuminating figures moving cargo. At least six men visible. Maybe more in the shadows.
"Contact," Mason says quietly. "Multiple hostiles, active operation."
I'm already calculating angles, exit routes, threat vectors?—
Movement catches my eye. Fast. Coming through the tree line from the north.
A horse. Rider low against its neck, pushing hard.
My stomach drops.
Emma.
Behind her—headlights. Blazing. Closing in fast.
"Fuck," Luke breathes from the back.
No time for approach. No time for strategy.
I gun the engine and cut the wheel hard, positioning the truck perpendicular to the access road. The tires bite gravel, kicking up a cloud. I kill the engine but leave the truck running—ready to move.
