The Payment

by Mysty McPartland

  FORTY-NINE

  A week later Dane stood on the veranda keeping watch for Traye. His gut burning, he sensed something was wrong. He turned when he heard the footsteps behind him. “Dev I’m going out to look for Traye, he should be working over at the East boundary. Take care of India for me.”

  “I’ll go.” Devon volunteered.

  “No, I need to go.” Dane whipped the words out and raced to the barn, his gut telling him Traye needed him. If anything happened to Traye, he would never forgive himself. He prayed he was mistaken and Traye would be safe.

  Traye rode slowly as he checked the boundary fences. Suddenly his horse came up lame. Cursing, he slid from the saddle and bent to check his front right hoof. Knowing he could do nothing for his horse until he arrived home, he straightened up and cursed some more realizing he would have a good three-hour walk ahead of him.

  With a heavy frustrated sigh, he adjusted his hat on his head and began leading his horse home. Walking for around an hour, he stopped and wiped the sweat off his brow with the sleeve of his shirt. About to replace his hat he looking up and observed a rider bearing down on him. He relaxed when he recognized Dane.

  Dane pulled his horse up next to his brother. “Glad to see you all right little brother.”

  Traye grimaced. “Damn horse came up lame. I’m glad you came, saved me a long walk home.”

  With a chuckle, Dane was about to help his brother swing up in the saddle when he suddenly froze. He caught sight of a group of riders heading straight for them. “I think we have unwanted company.” He heard Traye swearing and agreed. “Keep your hand away from your gun Traye.” He warned.

  He did not want to but Traye heeded his brother's advice and stood waiting; his body alert and ready for trouble.

  King smiled with malice when he pulled up before the two Mathews boys. “Well now, what do we have here? Your Ma sure is going to be pleased.” He waved his hand giving one of his men a signal.

  Traye spun and fell to his knees when the bullet slammed into his shoulder. He cursed himself for not being prepared.

  Dane roared and jumped from his horse and fell to his knees at his brother side. He held Traye by his good shoulder and with hate and retribution burning in his eyes he looked up at King. “I’m going to kill you for this. You’ve gone too far this time King.”

  “Shut up, I owe the little bastard for threatening me. Tie them up and get them up on their horses.” King shouted to his men, he felt a shiver run up his spine from the cold murderous rage in Dane’s golden eyes.

  Dane struggled but out-numbered they forced him back on his horse. However, he did manage to get in a few good punches before they over powered him. Once disarmed and seated on his horse, his gaze went to his brother and sighed in relief when he observed Traye’s only injury remained the bullet wound.

  All the way to the King ranch, he boiled in rage. He silently promised to get Traye out of this, and then he would come after King. This time, there would be no warning, but blood. King’s blood.

  Traye forced himself to stay conscious even though his shoulder felt on fire; he knew if he gave in to the pain and blackness, he would only make things harder for Dane.

  When they reached the King ranch, Dane fought as they dragged from his horse. Before he entered the house, he watched as they roughly pulled Traye from the horse and followed him inside. They were stopped at the parlor door, not at all surprised by the occupants of the room. He stood with a hateful sneer on his face.

  Irene rose to her feet when she saw two of her sons being dragged into the room. “Well look what we have here. This should work out very well indeed.”

  Traye raised his head at the sound of a woman’s voice he never wanted to hear again in his life. His mother seemed to have aged a great deal, but he could see the evil still lived inside of her. “Dane, you never told us just how ugly she’s grown.”

  Dane turned to his little brother giving him a proud look before he turned back and glared with malevolence at his mother. “Sorry but I didn’t want to frighten you to death, besides, I always thought her ugly. She just won’t accept the fact.”

  “Shut up, shut up, I’ll teach you for disrespecting me; it should have been done years ago. Take them out to the barn and tie them up.” Irene screamed. She would show these two what happens when they insulted her.

  Paul sat quietly in his seat, as soon as he found the right moment he intended to slip away. Things here were getting too dangerous. He was starting to think Irene might be slightly insane. He doubted she would ever get away with what she planned. When they caught her, he did not intend going down with her. He escaped going to prison in England narrowly and by God, he would not let this woman drag him in to hell.

  John looked worriedly at the pale face of his daughter. Taking her hand, they followed Irene and her sons out to the barn.

  Irene stood just inside the barn and watched as both of her sons hands were tied above their heads and their shirts ripped from their bodies.

  When the men moved away from them, only then did she step forward and stopped beside them. “I’m going to teach you both to respect me. Afterwards you're going to do exactly what I tell you to do. I don’t care how long it takes, in the end I will get what I want.”

  Dane turned to face the evil face beside him and sneered his contempt. “Go to hell bitch. Just remember when this is all over I’m coming after you. If you dare lay your filthy hands on Traye I’ll put my hands around your throat and squeeze the evil miserable life out of you.”

  Irene could actually feel herself being afraid for the very first time. She grew even angrier when she found herself unable to stop the shiver of fear that ran up her spine. She pushed the fear and apprehension down and smiled with triumph. “By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll only have enough strength left inside of you to sign the ranch over to me. After that I couldn’t give a damn what happens to any of you.” When she saw him smile, she gave a frustrated cry and spun away, she would break him. She swore she would break every one of her unwanted sons. When she reached King and his daughter, she smiled. “We’ll leave them here for a while and let them contemplate what will happen to them.”

  When everyone left, Dane turned to Traye with concern etched on his face and in the tone of his voice. “Traye are you all right?”

  “Shit, Dane I have a damn bullet in my damn shoulder. How do you think I feel?" Traye snapped at his brother.

  Dane gave a quick grin knowing that Traye didn’t seem to be in any immediate danger. “You know what she has planned don’t you Traye?”

  “Yeah I know. If you can get away, go. I’ll only hold you back.” Traye felt the strength seeping out of him along with his blood. He tried hard and fought desperately, the little strength left inside him he knew would never be enough to stop the blackness coming up and engulfing him.

  His heart nearly stopping when he heard the strain of Traye’s voice, Dane searched his brother’s face with fear. “Damn it Traye I’m not going to leave you behind. Just hang in there Traye and I promise I’ll get us out of this somehow.” When he finished speaking, he realized his words fell on deaf ears. Traye was already unconscious and all he could do is pray the bitch would leave him alone. In his heart, though he didn’t hold much hope the woman cared about nothing but herself.

  FIFTY

  Devon grew worried when Dane and Traye never returned. After talking to Jesse and Reese, they agreed that he and Reese would go in search of Dane and Traye. Things looked bad when they never came across any sign of them as they searched the East boundary. When it grew completely dark on a hunch, Devon suggested they head for the King ranch. They hid the horses and made their way closer to the house under cover.

  Hidden behind a crop of trees they saw a small group leave the house and head for the barn, his gut knotted Devon grew apprehensive.

  “Dev if we don’t get to Traye soon I’m fearing it might be too late.” Reese couldn’t say how he knew, but he knew his twin to be in
a bad way.

  Dev turned a quick gaze to Reese, placed his hand on his shoulder, and squeezed. “We have to wait Reese. We can’t go blazing in there no matter how much we want to. They could kill both Dane and Traye before we were even close to them.”

  Reese cursed softly knowing Devon spoke the truth, they could do nothing but wait.

  The pain of having his arms stretched over his head started to become unbearable, but not nearly anywhere near as bad as his worry for Traye. Dane twisted, tugged and cursed trying to free himself. His wrists were rubbed raw and blood trickled down his arms. He became frantic with worry over the fact that Traye remained consciousness, and it frightened him. If he didn’t get help for him soon it might be too late.

  Once again, he tugged frantically at the ropes around his wrists. He stopped suddenly when the light from of a lantern lit up the barn. In panic, his head swiveled to Traye and he cursed when seeing his head hanging and the blood still dripping from his wound. His whole body tensed when he heard the evil voice behind him.

  “I’ll give you this one chance sign over the ranch and you both can go home. If I were you, I would take up my offer. Your brother doesn’t look at all well.” Irene said as she came to stand beside her oldest son.

  Dane stared at the woman who gave him birth with hate boiling and rolling through him, he never felt such rage or hatred in his life. He turned away and closed his eyes knowing that he would do what she wanted. What choice did he have, Traye needed help, and if he did not have it soon might die.

  Impatient Irene moved away and waved to one of the men she hired a few days ago. “Do it, perhaps once he’s tasted a few lashes, he will be more co-operative.”

  His face set in grim lines, his body tensed and tightened; Dane readied himself for the pain to begin. He let his mind picture his wife and thought of her beauty, her loving and how lucky he is to have her in his life. Suddenly, his body jerked and his mind writhed in pain as the lash struck like burning lightening across his back.

  Irene stood watching as the lash struck her son, she cringed slightly but other than that refused to show any other emotion. She would do whatever she needed to and nothing would stand in her way.

  John King winced ever time the lash struck Dane. He started to realize that Irene might be a little crazed. He now started having second thoughts about becoming involved with her and if Dane or his brother died, it would surely bring the law down on them all and no one would get out of this. He needed to find some way to save himself and his daughter before it became too late.

  Frustrated Irene watched the whip strike her son repeatedly. The damn stubborn idiot never cried out once. She moved her gaze from her oldest son to the other, still unconscious and useless. A smile crossed her face perhaps not so useless after all. “Stop, he’s too stubborn, let’s try the other one, maybe if he witnesses his brother being whipped it will stop him from being so stubborn.”

  Even through his pain, Dane heard the threat to his brother. Every protective instinct in his body screamed. His head thrust up and from somewhere deep inside of him, he found the strength to struggle at his bonds. “I’ll kill you bitch, I swear I’ll kill you.” He roared the threat.

  John King raced to Irene’s side and grabbed her arms in a tight grip. “For God sakes Irene you can’t do such a thing, you’ll kill him. I won’t let you do it.”

  Infuriated Irene struggled in the tight punishing hold on her arm and hissed in outrage. “Damn you, all right I’ll leave him alone for now.”

  Relieved John let go of her arm. “Let’s return inside, nothing can be accomplished at the moment. I think we need to rethink things.”

  Irene’s mouth thinned into a thin line, she knew King started to have a change of mind, and he now became useless to her.

  Even through the fiery pain riddling his back, Dane managed to smirk when he heard King’s words. The fool is just starting to realize how far his mother dragged him into hell. He heard the shuffling feet fade away as well as the light disappearing. With all the strength left in him, he lifted his head and turned and looks at Traye before the light disappeared altogether.

  What he saw made his heart plummeted to his feet. Traye didn’t look good at all and fear filled his heart, he felt such overwhelming guilt that he failed to save his brother and his head drooped and tears fell from his eyes.

  “I’m sorry Traye, God I’m so sorry for everything. India oh God India, please Lord look after my sweet wife and our babies. I love you India God, I love you.” He whispered before what little strength left in him evaporated, and he fell in to unconsciousness.

  “Come on Reese let’s go. Make sure you keep well hidden and don’t make a sound.” Devon whispered harshly in warning.

  In the darkness, Reese shot Devon a disgruntled look but did as he said and followed behind keeping to the shadows.

  Devon kept to the darkness as he cautiously made his way to the barn. When he reached the wooden structure, he flattened himself against the side of the building waiting for Reese. He smiled grimly when Reese reached him. “Listen Reese, we don’t know what we will find inside, you have to keep quiet no matter what we discover if we are all going to get out of this alive.”

  “I understand now let’s go.” Reese hissed, every minute that passed he felt Traye slipping away from him and he grew desperate to reach him before it was too late.

  Devon took one more look around then moved. He kept himself flat against the building until he came to the door. Unable see a thing he cursed under his breath as he stepped inside the barn. He grunted when Reese barreled into him and rushed forward.

  “Here Devon, hurry help me.” Reese by instinct went straight to Traye. “Traye, Traye are you all right?” He whispered in desperation, tears ran down his cheeks when no response came.

  Devon hurried forward led by Reese’s voice; he reached out and touched hot flesh. “Dane, Dane.” When he heard the soft moan, he felt somewhat relieved. “Let’s cut them loose and get the hell out of here.”

  Both men were grim faced and full of anxiety. They worked quickly and silently, when they freed both Dane and Traye they hefted them over their shoulders and made their way back to where they left the horses.

  FIFTY-ONE

  India knew everyone tried hard to hide something from her. She sat on the sofa looking aggressively at Jesse who now seemed to be the only one around; he stubbornly continued not to meet her gaze. She had a premonition that something terrible must have happened to both Dane and Traye. With the sudden disappearance of Reese and Devon, she grew even more certain.

  Jesse refused to meet India’s constant glare. He grew frantic and was having a hard time trying to hide it from her. He wished both Mason and Tye were still up. At least with them around it would be some distraction. Where in the hell were they and why didn’t they come home? His gut twisted in knots the longer he waited for everyone to return.

  Suddenly, he caught the sound of horses approaching. Jumping to his feet, he raced from the room. Pulling open the front door, he raced outside. He stopped on the edge of the veranda when Reese and Devon pulled up their horses. His gaze fell on two immobile bodies slung over the saddles in front of them.

  His heart stuck in his throat and his whole body trembled, in the distance, through the fuzz in his brain, he could hear India calling out, but he couldn’t move.

  “Quick Jesse, give us a hand getting Traye inside then we’ll come back for Dane.” Devon yelled and slid off his horse.

  Devon’s words sliced through his brain. Jesse bound off the veranda and hurried to his side to help with Traye. “How bad are they?”

  As they lifted Traye off the horse and carried him inside, Devon looked down at him. “I don’t know. Traye’s lost a lot of blood. Dane is unconscious but I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  India stopped her struggle to get to her feet and fell back in her seat. She smothered her gasp behind her hand as she watched Jesse and Devon carry an unconscious Traye through the room to the
kitchen. Tears fell from her eyes, with Traye hurt where was Dane? Terror filled her heart, opening her mouth to ask someone about Dane when Devon and Jesse came racing back through the room and outside again.

  Oh, God no please, please don’t let anything happen to Dane not now. Once again, she tried to push herself out of the chair, more determined than ever to find out. With one more push, she gained her feet; she heard the scuffing in the foyer and hurriedly waddled her way towards the doors.

  She reached them just in time to see Reese, Devon, and Jesse carry an inert Dane up the stairs, she sobbed softly. She could do nothing but stand here and watch them take him up to their room.

  Once they placed Dane, stomach down, on the bed, Jesse lit the lamp and cursed as he stared down at the destruction to Dane’s back. “Who, how, who did this to them?” He finally managed to bellow out.

  Devon came up and placed a hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “Calm down Jesse, I know how you're feeling but don’t lose it now. Go down and fetch India, she’s probably near hysterical by now. I’m going to town to fetch Jeff and send a wire. I promise you in a few days this will all be over.”

  Jesse could only nod. Taking one more look at Dane, he hurriedly left the room with the others. He hoped India would be strong enough to look after Dane until Chin Li finished with Traye. He glanced down the stairs and silently cursed when he saw the tears running down India’s distraught face. “He’s going to be fine I promise India. Now let me take you up to him. Do you think you’re capable of taking care of him?”