Page 172 of Unleashed
"Ace." Colten's voice is behind me.
I don't turn around. I can't. Because this fucking hurts.
"Who?" I ask. One word. All I can manage.
"We don't know yet. Xander found him twenty minutes ago. He was doing a sweep and saw tracks but no rider."
"This isn't Paulie's horse."
"No. He took one of the mares. She's about a quarter mile south."
So whoever did this came on foot. Knew the fence line. Knew the routine. Knew Paulie would be out here alone at dawn, the way he always was, because that was his job and he never missed a day. Not once in twenty years.
This wasn't random. This was a message.
I stand up. My legs hold. I don't know how, but they hold me upright.
I turn to Colten. His eyes are red. He's not crying. Colten doesn't cry. But the redness is there, and the way he's gripping Seven's reins says everything his face won't.
"Get Hunter on the phone," I say.
"Already done. He's on his way."
"Nobody touches him until Hunter gets here. Nobody moves him. Nobody pulls that knife."
Colten nods.
"And get me a name, Colt. I don't care how. Get me a fucking name and let me fucking kill them."
He nods again. Puts his hat back on and turns the horses. This is Colten's speciality, tracking, hunting.
I stand there. Yet again, someone else I loved is ripped away from me. And I can’t do a single thing to change that.
I don't cry. Not yet. There'll be time for that later, in the dark, in my room, when nobody can see. Right now, I need to be what this ranch needs me to be. What my brothers need me to be. What Paulie would want me to be.
Ready to end whoever did this.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Harper
Samantha's jaw nearly hits the floor when I walk into the office, dropping my purse on my desk like the last few weeks haven't happened.
"She returns," Samantha says, rounding her desk with wide eyes.
"She does. Not for long, though." I keep my voice low. The office is quiet this early, but walls are thin, and ears are everywhere.
Her face drops. "Oh no. He hasn't already fired you? Like the last girl?"
I shake my head. "No. He hasn't. I'm quitting."
I say it with enough confidence to convince both of us.
"Nooooo." She sets her coffee down and presses her hands together like she's praying. "You're the only person I like here, Harper."
I lean in closer. Close enough that nobody else can hear. "Then quit, Sam. Honestly, this place is only going one direction, and it’s no good for anyone who works here. You’re better than this."
She needs to go somewhere that sees her potential.
