Page 97 of Savage Rancher
EMMA
“What the fuck is he doing?” I yell, struggling to get out of Luke’s arms. “They’re bearing down on him.”
Luke tightens his arms around me as he strides away from Jake. “Listen to me, Emma. I’m putting you in the truck, and you’re going to stay there so I can concentrate on helping Jake stay alive. You got it?”
“I got it.” I press a hand to my head, staring at Jake over Luke’s shoulder.
This is my fault.
101
JAKE
The engine roars. Headlights blazing. Forty yards.
I don't move.
Thirty yards.
My hands hang loose at my sides. My breathing is controlled. Every muscle in my body is coiled, ready.
Twenty yards.
The driver sees me.
I watch the exact moment it registers—a man standing in the middle of the road, feet planted, staring directly into the headlights like he's daring them to hit him.
Fifteen yards.
The engine pitch changes. Brake lights flare red.
Tires scream against gravel.
The vehicle fishtails, sliding sideways, kicking up a cloud of dust and rock. The driver overcorrects. The truck lurches, skids, and slams to a stop ten feet from where I'm standing.
The dust settles around me. The headlights illuminate my face, my body—a silhouette carved from violence and absolute certainty.
Behind me, I hear Luke murmur something to Emma. Keeping her back. Keeping her safe.
Above, on the ridge line, Mason has his rifle trained on the vehicle. I don't need to see him to know. He's there. Waiting for my signal.
A cell phone lights up the interior of the car.
I count four men inside. Built, wearing dark clothes. That’s all I can see—for now. I’ll get up close and personal when I drag them out of the truck.
I flex my hands, ready. I’m going to enjoy teaching them what happens when you threaten what’s mine.
The truck goes dark again. Its engine revs, the tires spinning without traction for a second before they grab, and it lurches forward. Turning sharply, it runs into a small, downed tree before it races erratically back the way it came.
“What the fuck?” Mason’s voice cuts through the comms.
“Did they just run away?” Luke joins in.
I shake my head. “Emma?”
“Secured,” Luke replies.
The taillights disappear into the darkness.
