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

by Piper Stone

  “Wait a minute. I might have patients to see today and I don’t want to move Rattler.”

  He trudged closer, his jaw clenched. “No one is coming out in this until the roads are at least somewhat cleared.”

  “Then why are we leaving?”

  “Because it’s not safe here. I’m not taking no for an answer, Danni. They’re not going to stop until they get what they want.”

  “What do they want?”

  “That’s what I plan on finding out.”

  “It’s safe here,” I insisted.

  Inhaling, he moved toward me quickly, his massive body looming over mine. “Listen to me. The electricity was tampered with.”

  “What?” I shrank back, scanning the forest as my nerves shot into overdrive.

  “Someone smashed the panel box, Danni. This shit is getting serious.”

  I dragged my tongue across my lips, horrible sensations of being watched filtering into my mind.

  I had no intention, nor would it do me any good to argue with him. I gazed back down at the track then toward the driveway, suddenly chilled to the bone. “Then where are we going?” I realized I’d whispered the question.

  Exhaling, he rubbed his fingers across my cheek. They were frigid. He’d been outside for a long time.

  “My place. I haven’t advertised where I live, the only folks who know work at the ranch. You should be safe there, especially until I return.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He whistled at the dogs, both pups immediately shifting to his side. “That means this shit ends today, one way or the other.”

  “O-kay.”

  “Just get some things together. Then we leave.”

  I trudged back to the house, the dogs following, the same dread continuing to remain in the back of my mind.

  All I could do was pray.

  Chapter 15

  Mustang

  “Hawk. Where the hell are you? We need to talk.” I tossed the phone onto the seat next to me, huffing as I twisted both hands around the steering wheel. Everything was starting to come together, although I was yet to put the reasons why someone was obviously out to take down Big Meadow. My memory was fuzzy about certain aspects of the past, but I was certain this damn thing had gotten personal.

  “I love you.”

  Love.

  I’d heard the words Danni had muttered just before she’d fallen asleep the first time. I’d remained awake afterward, fearful that another nightmare would pull me into some kind of visceral reality, my subconscious categorizing her as an enemy. Or maybe I had no freaking clue what to think about the words she’d whispered. How the hell could she fall for a guy like me? I was damaged, mostly a shell of the man I’d been before.

  Goddamn it, I hungered for her, but not just the warmth of her body next to mine. I craved spending time with her, learning all her nuances. The notion of settling down had entered my mind more than once and I didn’t even know the girl.

  Any more than I did myself.

  I continued to stare into the rearview mirror, certain that I’d see headlights at some point. Whoever had returned was preparing another attack, biding his time until I left her alone. The snowstorm would be the perfect cover for however they planned on finishing this. Hell, no. I refused to allow anyone to hurt the woman I cared for, including me.

  When the phone rang, I knew instinctively Hawk was on the other line. “Tell me about Randy Harding from RH Holdings. Does that ring a bell?”

  “I’m curious. How the hell did you get that information?” Hawk asked, obvious exhaustion in his voice.

  “Danni was given a file by a friend of hers, implications made that either investors in the group are in on a fraudulent scheme involving duping some of the less fortunate ranchers or they’re just stupid as fuck. Funny how it mentions that Big Meadow is one of those investors.”

  “Fuck. While I didn’t know Big Meadow was on some list, that makes sense.”

  “How so?”

  Hawk hesitated before answering, pushing my continued anger to the edge.

  “I found some paperwork indicating Drake had been approached by RH Holdings about eighteen months ago. The investment opportunity must have appeared to be damn good because Drake invested a few thousand dollars. I hope you still have that file. My guess is we’ll finally be able to get some answers.”

  “Yeah, I’m bringing it to you right now. That’s why Big Meadow is on this list.”

  “Maybe,” Hawk huffed. “It’s apparent that Randy and Drake had a falling out, Drake accusing him of criminal activities. Drake left some pretty comprehensive notes. I had a brief but informative conversation with the sheriff this morning. While she was hesitant to say a damn thing, she did admit that she was responsible for investigating Drake’s claims. It would appear that Randy had his day in court after Drake’s accusations, including spending a few months in prison. I also talked with Tanner and he confirmed what happened, saying that Randy pushed hard, including issuing threats to Drake. Things got ugly, a few of Big Meadow’s cattle found slaughtered.”

  I thought about what he was saying. “Are you trying to tell me that this entire setup is all about retaliation?”

  “Randy was released from prison six months ago on good behavior. That was just about the time I arrived back in Montana and took over Big Meadow. Interesting coincidence? I don’t think so, although I’ve never heard of this guy. From what I heard, Randy lost everything, including a ranch left to him by his father, who’d been a prominent rancher for years until his untimely suicide. The ranch is in foreclosure, now owned by the bank. That’s as far as I’ve gotten, buddy, but if you put the pieces together, I have a feeling that someone is trying to implicate Big Meadow as being the primary investor behind RH Holdings.”

  My thoughts drifted to what Danni had told me. “The ranch he used to own has to be the place Danni mentioned. She was taken there to care for an injured steer. Then the same guy warned her to stay away. Why doesn’t any of this make sense?”

  “My gut tells me that whatever this shit is has more to do with you. You sure you don’t know this Randy Harding?”

  “No.”

  “Maybe you should talk to a man named Walt Gunner. From what Tanner told me, the old guy has been around the business for a long time, including working with Randy before the asshole was sent to prison. I found Walt’s address, but he seemed to disappear from the radar. It’s the only other lead I can give you until I talk to the bank and have another conversation with the sheriff.”

  “What aren’t you telling me, Hawk?”

  He sighed before answering. “From what the sheriff admitted, there is an ongoing investigation involving fraud, but the FBI has gotten involved. She refused to provide any details, although she suggested that I talk with the lead investigator. A lot of the ranchers are on edge, a number of cattle disappearing. Ah, fuck.”

  “What?” I asked as I gazed into the rearview mirror for the fifth time. Leaving Danni alone had been the last thing I’d wanted to do but necessary given Rattler’s condition. Why did I have a sick feeling that refused to go away?

  “Well, I see flashing lights coming up the driveway. Find Walt Gunner. I have a very bad feeling about this.”

  After Hawk gave me the address, I made a sharp turn, going in the opposite direction. The Harding name continued to ring a bell in the back of my mind, although I couldn’t put my finger on why. The roads were treacherous but not impassable and twenty minutes later, I finally found the address Hawk had given me.

  The battered old truck was a clear indication that someone was inside the cabin. As I made my way to the door, it was opened before I knocked.

  “You Walt Gunner?”

  As the man glanced up and down, a sadness swept through his eyes. “Yep and you’re Holt Wills. You’re the spitting image of your father.”

  “What?” The comment was totally out of the blue, catching me by surprise.

  He shook his head. “Your dad and I grew
up together. Best friends. At least until the incident.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Have you ever regretted something so much that it nearly destroyed your life?”

  My thoughts drifted to Snake, the mission, and the emotions that continued to rule my life. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but I need your help. You know Randy Harding?”

  Walt shifted from one foot to the other, obviously nervous. “Yeah. I’m sad to say that I work for the man just like I worked for his father. He took his mother’s maiden name after his father’s death, trying to get out from the shadows of the man’s suicide, I guess.”

  “Then you’re going to tell me where the son of a bitch is and why he’s determined to destroy my life.”

  “The reason is simple, son. Because your father destroyed his.”

  “I… What in the fuck are you trying to tell me?”

  “I was the reason your father invested his hard-earned monies all those years ago. He trusted me and I betrayed him, although I didn’t know it at the time. I bought the whole concept, finding almost every single investor, including your father.” He walked closer, his frail body shaking. He appeared years older than my father, although I had the distinct feeling that whatever guilt the man had been harboring had taken a toll. “I lost my friend because of it and to this day, I regret not figuring out that the entire plan had been nothing more than a get rich quick scheme. Randy’s father was Robert Cooper. Does that name ring a bell?”

  As soon as he said the name, additional pieces began to fall into place. Robert Cooper’s name was mentioned only once in my house when I was young, the argument my parents had something I’d overheard. Robert was the man behind the investment scheme where my father lost everything. All I knew is that he’d been a prominent businessman.

  “Robert killed himself before being brought to justice. He’d already spent the damn money, millions of dollars,” Walt continued. “There was nothing left for the victims.”

  “You were the one who called Dr. Brexton. Weren’t you? You tried to get her to join your team.” I could barely contain my anger.

  “While I did make the phone call to her clinic, I anticipated reaching Doc Forester. He’d been working with Randy for years. Heard later the man skipped town, likely to avoid prosecution.”

  “He was the one who signed off on cattle who weren’t fit for auction or anything else.”

  “Yes,” Walt half whispered. “I had no other choice than try and find some help. I was being pressured because Randy was close to securing at least two huge investors. That steer she helped was injured during transit.”

  “You mean after being stolen,” I hissed.

  “I’m not proud of myself, son, but Randy had enough incriminating evidence against me, something he threatened me with several times. As far as trying to get Dr. Brexton to come to work with us, hell, no. I called to warn her, but by then, she’d already started asking questions. I’ve never seen Randy so angry.”

  “That’s why there’s an ongoing investigation,” I said more to myself.

  He sighed, barely able to look me in the eyes. “Maybe so. All I know is that Randy sent in his goons to try and warn her, something that kinda surprised me. Dear God, I hope she listened. Randy is one dangerous man. He won’t stop at anything to get what he wants and Holt, he’s capable of murder. I’m finished with him. I’m packing up and getting out of town.”

  A part of me wanted nothing more than to exact my revenge, but the broken man standing in front of me didn’t deserve my full retaliation. Law enforcement would take care of that. “Where is Randy?”

  “I don’t know, son. He doesn’t have any real roots as far as I can tell.”

  “Where the hell does he live, old man? I’m through with being threatened. He’ll have to deal with me.” I took long strides, clamping my hand around his shirt and dragging him closer.

  “He’s likely with his partner, Holt. They have a big meeting tomorrow.”

  “Partner. Who the hell is that?”

  As he told me the rest of the story, a cold wave washed over me.

  “You better be telling me the truth. If I find out otherwise, I’ll be back.”

  No. No. I had no doubt Danni’s life was in danger. I had to get her to safety. Then I would take down the bastards.

  No matter what I had to do.

  As I pulled into the driveway, my sixth sense kicked in, an empty feeling pooling into every pore. There was a second set of tire tracks. I jumped out of the truck, racing toward the front door, finding it unlocked, the dogs barking furiously.

  “Danni.” There were signs of a struggle, furniture turned over, a lamp broken. But there was no sign of the woman I loved. As I yanked out my phone, dialing the sheriff, the dogs headed for the still cracked front door, Zorro managing to paw it open.

  “I need to report a break-in.”

  The second the dogs raced out, both snarling as they headed toward the forest, I dropped my phone, yanking the gun from my waistband and heading in the same direction. There was nothing but snow-covered trees and a blanket of white until I noticed the set of tire tracks had made its way through the forest. Fuck. Then I noticed two sets of footprints. The asshole had tried to follow her in his truck, finally taking off on foot.

  I scanned the horizon before following the animals, praying to God they would lead me to her.

  The dogs continued ahead, obviously following a scent of some kind. While every step was labored, I could feel her presence.

  Please God. Let her be alive.

  The commotion did little to hide the single scream I heard in the distance. With the gun in both hands, I pushed harder, moving deeper into the forest. Seconds later, I heard a shot, then a series of snarls.

  “No. No!” Danni screamed, her voice echoing.

  As soon as I cleared a group of trees, everything became a blur, the dogs going wild. “Danni!” My bellow was barely heard over the snarls and barks and I could see a string of blood.

  No. This wasn’t going to happen.

  “Stop him. No. No!” Danni called again.

  “Zorro. Rattler. Heel. Now!” As the asshole holding the weapon prepared to take another shot, I raised my arms, waiting for the right moment. While I had no way of knowing whether the dogs would obey, I had to make a choice.

  “You’re a damn good shooter, Mustang, the best in our unit, but you have to learn to make the shot when all odds are against you. No emotion. No hesitation. Then you have to make a choice whether to take a human life. It’s not something you should do lightly, buddy. That will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

  As Snake’s words filtered into the back of my mind, the gunman shifted his aim in Danni’s direction.

  And so, I followed Snake’s advice; however, there would be no regret.

  Pop!

  Danni

  “You’re certain about this?” Mustang asked as he shoved the gear into park.

  “This is something I need to do,” I said in a hushed voice. The last twenty-four hours had been horrific, a chill remaining and one that I wasn’t entirely certain I would be able to get rid of. Even though the big, tough Marine, a man I could now officially call my hero twice over had refused to leave my side, a darkness had settled into my soul. I was angry, bitter, but I certainly wasn’t confused.

  Greed and power. In my mind, both were akin to creating corruption no matter how decent a person.

  He took my hand, fingering my palm. “I know you do.”

  “Stop worrying. This will all be over in a little while.”

  Over. I had the distinct feeling we’d both suffer from nightmares for quite some time.

  “I’ll be right outside.”

  I turned my head, staring him in the eyes. “I know you will. You better be, or I will hunt you down.”

  His boisterous laughter was exactly what I needed.

  “I do love you, Danni Brexton, even if you are one hell of a brat.”

>   Leaning over, I gave him a quick kiss before opening the door, smoothing down my shirt after climbing out. I felt numb inside, uncertain if I was actually doing the right thing, but the truth had to come out.

  I plastered a smile on my face as I walked toward the door, trying to pretend this was just a normal day. After knocking twice, my stomach did a series of flip-flops. My days at being an amateur sleuth were definitely over. When the door opened, I almost panicked.

  “Hey. I didn’t know you were coming by.”

  A flash of memories from both the past as well as the present rushed into my mind, both creating a wave of sadness. “I’m sorry. I just thought I’d stop by, maybe have a glass of wine. You seem surprised to see me.”

  Sandra exhaled before ushering me in, but she looked over my shoulder as if expecting someone else. “I just thought you were working hard on obtaining clients. Hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere, right?”

  “I’m surprised you’re home. I went by the coffee shop.”

  “I know. I just decided to take a day off. I’ve been working long hours.” She walked toward the kitchen, her body tense.

  “Pretty dressed up for a day off,” I said, noticing the slim skirt and beautiful blouse. “Very professional looking, as if you’re going to a meeting of some kind.”

  “A meeting? For a coffee shop? I might just have a date later. Okay? You caught me.”

  As I waited, I gazed around the townhouse, realizing that I’d never paid attention to the fact she didn’t have any pictures displayed. Not a single one. What I did notice was her purse positioned on the dining room table as if she’d been prepared to leave.

  “Red’s okay?” she asked as she brought an already opened bottle and two glasses.

  “Absolutely. I’m the mood for something robust.”

  “Oh, does that mean you have exciting news? Maybe that hot cowboy of yours?” She laughed as she poured the wine, finally placing the bottle on the coffee table then walking toward me with a glass. She continued to search my eyes, a hint of fear in hers.