Mustang: A Rough Romance (Montana Bad Boys Book 3)

by Piper Stone

  Maybe I didn’t want to settle down, to plant roots as my mother would say. Maybe I wasn’t entirely certain I could remain in Missoula, the memories too intense.

  Yep, I was still one big mess.

  I stole another glance at the moon, drinking in the scent of a roaring fire coming from Hawk’s house. It smelled like snow even though the stars were shining brightly. I hated the night, the darkness always driving me to the ugly memories. I had a feeling tonight wasn’t going to be an exception.

  Hissing under my breath, I shifted toward my truck. A sudden cry came out of nowhere, the animal in obvious pain. I opened the door to my truck, retrieving the weapon I carried with me at all times. While the last thing I wanted to do was cause an animal harm in any way, if it was an injured cougar or mountain lion, I had to be prepared for the creature’s attack. There was nothing worse than an injured beast. I snagged a flashlight and eased the door closed. Turning the light on low, I moved toward the sound.

  The cry came again as I walked around the side of the barn, the pitiful howling yanking at my gut. I took cautious steps until I narrowed down where it could be coming from. There were several bushes planted along the back edge of the barn and the second I flashed the light into the center, two eyes stared back at me.

  “Shit.”

  Another howl, even more intense than before sent a pang into my heart. I inched closer, keeping both the flashlight and the gun pointed at the bush. When the animal didn’t lunge or try to run away, I took a chance and hunkered down. Then I heard a tail thumping hard against the ground. What the hell? I moved a portion of the shrub, shining the light. The injured baby crawled forward until its head could clearly be seen.

  A dog.

  Fuck.

  “Oh, puppy. What happened to you? Come on, boy. Can you crawl to me?” Fisting my hand, I reached toward him, remaining unmoving as he lifted his head, searching my eyes. Whatever the dog had gone through, I could tell he or she was in significant pain. After a few seconds, the dog finally crawled a little bit closer, licking my hand.

  “That’s it. Come on.” I eased back a few inches, trying to encourage him to come forward as I flashed my light over his body. His entire hindquarters were covered in blood. My thoughts drifted to the shots I’d heard being fired. The coincidence was one I couldn’t ignore. The pup managed to crawl a couple more inches then collapsed. “Stay right there.” After locking the safety, I shoved the gun into my pocket and rushed into the barn, grabbing one of the horse blankets.

  When I returned, I gingerly eased him onto the soft material, taking a few seconds to find out what I was dealing with. Definitely a male. From what I could tell, he’d either been mauled by a wild animal or had been shot by some asshole. Either way, the baby was in severe distress, his breathing shallow. I had to get him some help.

  As carefully as I could, I lifted him into my arms, his cries barely audible. He was close to losing consciousness. I placed him into the passenger seat before racing around to the other side, jumping in and starting the engine. I had no idea about the location of a veterinarian. That wasn’t a part of my job. I roared down the road, the tires screeching as I made the sharp turn down the driveway leading to Hawk’s house. By the time I pounded on his front door, I was almost out of breath.

  “Come on. Come on.” I pounded again until I heard footsteps, taking several glances back at the truck. When the door flew open, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

  “Jesus Christ. What the hell? Are you okay?” Hawk asked, obvious concern on his face.

  “I found an injured dog near the barn. Do you have any idea where the closest vet is? The pup is in bad shape.”

  “Shit. They’re all about thirty minutes away,” Hawk responded. “What happened?”

  “Gunshot. Animal attack. Hell if I know, but I don’t think this pup has that long,” I retorted, watching as Bryce rushed toward the door. His fiancée had captured my buddy’s heart, likely the man’s true salvation.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked in little more than a whisper.

  “Injured dog. I don’t know which vet to tell him to go to,” Hawk huffed.

  Bryce glanced out the door, staring at the truck. “Um, from what I heard, there’s a new clinic that just opened up about four miles from here. Used to be Doc Forester’s place. I don’t know anything about the new vet, but I can tell you how to get there.”

  I listened to her directions. For some reason, the injured dog bugged the hell out of me. Maybe Danni’s accusations continued to weigh heavily on my mind. My instinct was never wrong, and it screamed at me that something was going on.

  “It’s late though. The clinic might be closed,” she said quietly.

  “I gotta take that chance. Thank you both.” I headed off the porch.

  “Let us know what happens,” she called after me. “I don’t like this.”

  Backing away, I noticed that Hawk scanned the perimeter, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Why did I have a very sick feeling in the pit of my stomach?

  As I climbed back inside, I pressed my hand on the pup’s head. At least his tail thumped a few times, although I could tell he was getting weaker. “Hold on, little guy. I’m going to get you some help.” I pushed down the accelerator and rolled, heading out of the ranch and toward the location. I only hoped that Bryce was right. The ride was bumpy, the dog crying the entire time. I kept the heater vent wide open, trying to make certain he was at least warm enough.

  What the hell was I doing? This experience would likely shove me into another dark cataclysm, dredging up the kind of memories I couldn’t afford to have. Swallowing hard, I eased my hand next to him, trying to give the pup some level of comfort. It was time to let go of the past.

  I kept the pedal floored, weaving my way along the curvy roads, thankful there was no one else out tonight. When I got closer to the address Bryce had given me, I finally noticed the sign for the clinic. The old owner’s name was still on the plaque. Doctor Benjamin Foster, DM. God, I hoped Bryce was correct. The trees were overgrown, the drive down the narrow gravel lane dark as shit. When I came up on the series of buildings, there was no sign of activity, not a single light highlighting the outside.

  “Fuck!” I slammed my hand on the steering wheel, cursing until I noticed the small house located off the side. And there was a vehicle parked on the side. As I drew closer, I could tell there was a light on somewhere inside. I threw the gear into park and rushed out, pounding on the door.

  When there was no movement for a full minute, I pounded again. “Come on. This is an emergency.”

  Finally, I heard footsteps as well as the rumbling bark of another dog. When the door was opened tentatively, a huge dog raced out, jumping on me immediately, his growl deep-throated, the outside light turned on.

  Then I heard a cry of surprise.

  And perhaps one of disgust.

  “Zorro. Whoa, boy. I’m sorry. He’s my guard dog. It’s obvious that I need one.”

  I would recognize the beautiful voice anywhere, but my gut told me this wasn’t going to be a pleasant exchange. “Danni. I’m not here on a social visit.” I continued to rub Zorro’s head, offering a smile even as my heart continued to race.

  “While that’s a damn good thing, I’m not interested.”

  “So you’ve said more than once. I need your help.”

  “Oh, this should be good.” As Zorro eased onto his haunches, Danni stood with her arms crossed, a mixture of animosity and curiosity crossing her face. “On second thought, maybe I should allow Zorro to eat you. He hates bad people. You can bite him if you need to, Zorro.”

  When Zorro wagged his tail, nuzzling against me, she rolled her eyes.

  “Look, I don’t know what the hell you have against me, but we can play games later. I have an injured dog with me, and I need some help. If you really are a veterinarian, I’m not asking for me. I’m asking for the pup huddled on my passenger seat who might be bleeding to death.”

  She s
hifted forward, glancing toward the truck. “Your dog?”

  “No, I found him at the ranch, but he’s hurt pretty badly. Maybe a wild animal attack. Maybe worse.”

  There was no more hesitation. She immediately raced off the porch in her bare feet, moving quickly toward the passenger door and throwing it open, blinking as the light highlighted what she was dealing with. She threw her head in my direction, grimacing. “Jesus. What the fuck happened?”

  I took long strides in her direction, watching as she carefully peeled away the blanket. “I wish I knew but if I had to venture a guess, I’d say he’s been shot.”

  “Who the fuck would do this?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Yeah. I just bet you don’t.” She shot me a hateful look then pointed to the other building. “If you really give a damn, take him to my clinic. I need to grab my keys.”

  Hissing, I watched as she bounded into her house. While I couldn’t understand the utter hatred she felt for me, I refused to allow her nasty attitude to interfere with the dog’s care. “Come on, buddy. Let’s get you some help.”

  By the time I’d carried him to the door of the clinic, she was already approaching, replacing her bare feet with tennis shoes, and wearing a white coat over her pajamas. In her hand was a set of keys. I couldn’t help but notice her hands were shaking as she attempted to find the right one, finally jamming it into the lock. She opened the door, immediately flooding the area with fluorescent light, moving quickly to another room and flipping on a switch.

  “You can put him down on the table inside the room. I need to gather some items.” Just before she headed toward a small hallway, she tipped her head, looking in my direction. “This is going to be a long night. I suggest you settle in. Or you can leave if you need to. I will certainly understand.”

  “I have no intention of leaving.” Damn, the woman could get under my skin. I’d never had a single woman challenge me the way she did. While a part of me appreciated her moxie, the majority of me wanted to require her submission. I’d always been a dominating man, but she brought out every concept of enforcing surrender that I’d buried deep in my psyche.

  “Have it your way.”

  Why in the hell was the ballsy woman determined to rile me? What in the hell had I ever done to her? Well, other than spanking and fucking her. I found it difficult to take my eyes off her long, copper-colored hair. Even in the ugly lighting, the blonde highlights excited my senses. Damn, my cock ached from the longing I felt for her.

  I walked into the other room, slowly easing the injured pup onto the table. His breathing was even more shallow, the poor boy no longer able to wag his tail. I was able to tell in the light that he was likely a yellow lab mix of some kind. I pulled the jacket from my shoulders and when I attempted to leave the room, the pup whimpered.

  “It’s okay, boy. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Within minutes she returned with various supplies in her hand, smiling as she peered down at the pup. “You’ve never seen this dog before?”

  “Nope. Can’t say I have.”

  She adjusted the blanket, her touch gentle as she examined the injury, hissing under her breath.

  “Well, he’s lost a lot of blood and by looking at his fur, this is no animal attack. The dog has been shot. This will be a close call. I hope you’re not squeamish because I’m going to need your help. I haven’t hired an assistant yet.” The look she gave me was one of disdain, but there was no doubt she was concerned about the dog’s condition.

  “Don’t worry about me, sunshine. I know how to handle myself. It seems you’ve already forgotten that I was in the military. I’ve seen a hell of a lot worse.”

  Her eyes flashed, more out of an understanding of what I was saying than her frustration at being in my presence. “Roll up your sleeves and go wash your hands. There is a pair of gloves in the box over there. You got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I moved toward the sink, doing exactly as she asked.

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m going to give you a sedative, baby. You’ll be asleep in no time and when you awaken, you’ll be good as new.”

  The pup lifted his head, scratching at her arm as he whimpered.

  “Help me keep him quiet,” she commanded.

  As soon as I touched the dog’s shoulder, using a gentle amount of pressure, he quieted immediately, allowing Danni to administer the shot. After a few seconds, the dog calmed down.

  “It seems you’re made a good impression,” she half whispered.

  “Well, at least I did on somebody.”

  She shot me another look before starting to clean the wound. “Someone did this on purpose. The shot came from close range and a small caliber. Jesus, I hate people.”

  My anger roared to the surface and for the first time since I’d met the feisty gal, I agreed with her. “Just take care of him, Danni. I don’t want him to suffer.”

  When she lifted her head, a slight smile crossed her face. “Don’t worry, cowboy. I haven’t lost a patient yet and I don’t plan on starting now.”

  As she began to work on the dog, another vision crept into my mind, one that I hadn’t experienced in months.

  “What do we have here? What a little baby.”

  I rounded the corner, hearing Snake’s cooing sounds, half laughing until I noticed what he was fawning over.

  A dog.

  The compound sprawled across a couple of acres, the security boundaries not even close to the sleeping quarters. How had the dog managed to get through the barriers?

  The dog lifted his head, his eyes glistening. The pup couldn’t have been more than a few months old, but he was skin and bones, his ribs showing. He was filthy from head to toe, flies buzzing around him. I was shocked that he was able to wag his tail.

  “Where the hell did he come from?” I asked as I walked closer.

  Shrugging, Snake gave me his usual exuberant smile. “He suddenly appeared just outside the door. Pretty little thing, if you can get through all the filth.”

  I knelt down, gently placing my hand on the pup’s head, my gaze falling to what appeared to be several old injuries. “He’s been abused.”

  “Yep. Bastards.”

  “What are you going to do with him?”

  Snake was the kind of soldier who’d never let any man down. He refused to follow the rules, determined to ensure that everyone had a chance to survive. I already knew the answer before he made the statement.

  “I’m going to nurture him back to health. What the hell did you think?” Snake brushed his hand over the pup’s muzzle, smiling when the dog crept closer. “And I’m going to name you Apollo.”

  As I gazed down at the beautiful dog lying on the table, his sleepy eyes penetrating mine, I knew there was no way I would allow him to suffer another day at the hands of the same monsters who’d abused him.

  He belonged to me.

  Just like the beautiful vet with the cold eyes would.

  Even if she fought me every single step of the way. She’d awakened the sleeping beast, the man who’d refused to believe he could ever give a shit about anything ever again.

  I would feast on her.

  I would take her often and without remorse.

  And I would own her.

  Chapter 6

  Mustang

  “Come on, Apollo. Get it, boy.”

  I watched as Snake threw a tennis ball, one of the requisitions that he’d been determined to make go through from the States. The connection between the recovered pup and a man who I knew was hiding so much pain behind his jovial persona was very special.

  “Snake is happier than I’ve ever seen him,” Reaper said as he flanked my side.

  “Yeah. Too bad there’s no way the pup can remain on the base,” I said under my breath. Major Wallace, the man who ruled the compound as if we were in constant threat didn’t take kindly to anything going outside his rules. That included no pets. As if the concept was even possible in the war-torn area.

  Rea
per chuckled. “You know Snake. He’s going to find a way to keep the dog. Trust me, buddy. Snake isn’t going to allow that dog out of his sight.”

  I hadn’t thought about Apollo since I’d left Afghanistan, the dog likely abandoned given Snake’s death. As I stood in the shadows, watching Danni remove the bullet, my blood ran cold. Not only was I enraged that someone would dare harm an innocent animal on purpose, I couldn’t imagine they’d leave the dog to die. I clenched my fists, trying to remember all the other ranches near Big Meadow. The dog couldn’t have gone far in his condition, which meant the offensive act likely occurred at one of the adjacent locations.

  The one where I’d heard the earlier gunshots.

  Or the pup had been purposely shot just outside our property lines. The question remained as to why.

  Fuck them.

  Whatever the case, I would hunt down the asshole responsible.

  Zorro padded his way closer, settling down by my side and placing his head on my boot. I leaned against the wall, my body remaining rigid and my instinct moving into overdrive. While I’d never been the soldier to buy into conspiracy theories, my gut told me that whatever Danni believed she was onto might hold some merit. I couldn’t take my eyes off the injured pup, his one paw twitching even though he was under anesthesia.

  When Danni made the last suture, finally placing her various instruments in a tray, she closed her eyes. I could swear she was saying a silent prayer, hoping the dog would survive. Removing the bullet had been more tedious than she’d originally thought. That had been easy to tell by her tense body and furrowed brow. Seconds later, she ripped off her surgical gloves, tossing them into the trash before turning to face me, her face pensive.

  “I think he’s going to be all right. If he survives the might, he has a fighting chance.” Her voice seemed as far away as my mind remained in the past. “I don’t even know his name. No collar. No chip in his fur. It seems no one cared about the dog. As I said before, I hate people.”