Clint: A Hidden Lane Ranch Cowboy Novel

by Sammi Starlight

  “I have to find Rachel,” I responded, not missing a step. “Wanna come?”

  He followed behind me, a concerned look on his face. “Sure, what happened?”

  I opened the door of the truck. “Get in and I’ll explain.” I sat down and started it, barely giving him enough time to get in and shut the door before tearing away from the house.

  “Whoa, why are you driving so fast?” he asked, clutching the door handle.

  I was holding the steering wheel so tight the whites of my knuckles were showing. “You know I don’t want Rachel leaving the ranch without one of us, right?”

  He nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Well this morning she was mad at me because she has some stuff to do for Eliza’s party in town and I told her I would take her later. I’ve promised her that a few times and we end up working too late to make it since everything practically shuts down around five. So after breakfast she told Ma she was taking a walk when she actually snuck out and left. Ma was too busy to notice and I didn’t until I came back to the house for lunch.”

  “Hmmm…I wouldn’t think her errands would take her that long,” he said, rubbing his jaw.

  “Exactly,” I responded tersely.

  “Do you actually have reason to think that her ex is after her? Has she gotten any threats?”

  I shook my head. “No, she smashed her phone right after she left and didn’t even get a new one until recently.” Most of my family thought I was being a little ridiculous with how I kept such a close eye on Rachel, but they didn’t know about the money she’d taken from him. They all thought he was a controlling asshole that hit her. Maybe it was time to tell them. “She took money from him. A lot of money.” I didn’t take my eyes off the road, trying not to speed too much. The last thing I needed was to be pulled over by the cops and be delayed even more.

  “What do you mean? What money?” He asked, confusion in his voice.

  I signed. “He lost his job and started hanging out with a bad crowd, eventually selling drugs. He’d built up quite an empire, becoming some sort of drug lord. She had nothing to do with it and he actually didn’t involve her at all. She was planning on leaving him and that’s when he lost it. He liked having her on his arm; she became more of trophy than anything.”

  “Shit man,” Wyatt muttered.

  “I know…She didn’t intend to take it when she left, but he pissed her off when he hit her and she wanted to get him where she knew it hurt the most - money. I told her a man like that wouldn’t let that much money get away from him without some sort of retaliation.” I turned to look at my brother as we rolled up to a red light on the outskirts of town. “I think he had some sort of tracker on her somehow. From what she tells me, he knew where she was at all times. He had to have a way other than just her phone. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s known for a while where she was but was just waiting for the right time.”

  “Wow,” Wyatt gasped, taking off his cowboy hat. “No wonder you’ve been so protective. Can’t say I blame ya, bro.”

  “I’m fucking freaked out right now man and I won’t relax until I’m hold her in my arms,” I mumbled, fighting back the emotion I could feel growing. I had to stay calm; she was probably fine and I was overreacting.

  “It’s ok, Clint,” he said softly. “We’ll find her.” We turned down the main drag of town and drove slowly, looking for her car. Neither of us said a word and panic grew in the pit of my stomach. What if we didn’t find her?

  I spotted Eliza’s truck and pulled into the empty stall nearby. Maybe she’d seen her. We both hopped out of the car and headed into the diner Eliza was in.

  My eyes darted around nervously until I found Eliza sitting in the corner booth with her laptop. She had a look of concentration and a pencil stuck in a bun on top of her head; no Rachel though.

  Wyatt and I slid into the seat across from her. She looked up with a grin. “To what do I owe the pleasure of both of my brothers joining me here?” We didn’t say anything and the smile fell from her face. “What’s wrong? Is it Ma?” She closed her laptop firmly.

  “No, no. Ma’s fine,” I quickly assured her. “We think Rachel came to town this morning but we can’t get a hold of her. She either forgot or left her phone at home and no one’s heard from her. I was hoping you’d seen her around here.”

  She shook her head and pushed her laptop away from her. “No, I haven’t. I’ve been holed up in here since my meeting. I decided to stay here and work for a while; I’m addicted to the coffee.” She motioned to her mug in front of her.

  “Shit,” I muttered and scrubbed my face with my hand. I pounded my fist on the table, causing the few customers in the diner to turn and look at me. “Where is she?”

  Wyatt put a hand on my arm. “We will find her. I promise.”

  “Why the panic? She can’t be far. You aren’t seriously worried about Seth, are you?” Eliza asked, confusion written across her face.

  I looked around; I didn’t want to talk about the money around all these people. “Are you ready to go? Come with us and I’ll explain.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly, packing up her laptop and grabbing her purse. “Why can’t you tell me here though?”

  I gave her a look of exasperation and Wyatt held up his hand. “Just come along and he’ll explain it all.”

  We left the diner and got into my truck; we’d come back later for Eliza’s vehicle. Before we left, I told her all about the money Rachel had stolen.

  “Fuck, Clint!” She said, her blue eyes as wide as saucers. They filled with tears. “What if he found her? What if he has her?”

  “Eliza!” Wyatt warned. “Don’t!”

  “It’s a valid concern, man,” I said quietly. It’s all I’d thought of since the moment I realized she wasn’t at the house. What if he did have her? What would he do to her? Something told me it would probably be more than just slapping her around. I pushed the thoughts from my mind. I was going to lose it unless I focused on finding her. I couldn’t even think about what I was going to do to him when I saw him. He would wish he stayed in Buffalo.

  “Let’s call the police,” Eliza said, her voice filled with panic. “They can help us.”

  I shook my head. “No. Not yet. Besides, she hasn’t been gone for twelve hours much less twenty-four, so I doubt they’d do anything. We have nothing to give them other than a ‘hunch’ anyway.”

  She slumped in the backseat. “Well what the fuck are we going to do then?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure other than driving around for a while. Maybe we will see her car…or something.” I wanted to throw something right now. I was so damn frustrated and felt helpless. I had a bad feeling deep in my gut though; I just knew I had to get to her soon.

  19

  Rachel

  “Where do you want me to go?” I asked, my eyes on the road, trying not to panic. Seth was sitting right next to me with a gun. I couldn’t help but think for a minute Clint had been right all along that Seth would come for me. Next time I’ll listen to him…if there is a next time. I bit my lip and fought back the tears at the idea that I may not see Clint or his family again.

  “Just drive,” he mumbled, taking out his phone. He looked up, squinting into the distance. “Get off on the next exit and go to the first hotel. I have a room there for us.” He grinned at me and my blood went cold. What did he have planned for me?

  “I’ll give you your money,” I whispered as I turned off the highway. “Please just let me go.”

  He laughed. “Oh no, my dear. You’re going to give me more than that money. You’re going to go back to that little farm you’ve been living at and get my money and all of your other stuff. Then you’re going to come home with me and become my wife.” I winced as he reached out to touch my hair. If he laid his hands on me I was going to be sick. “You know there once was a time you liked my touch.”

  “That was a long time ago, Seth. You’ve changed.” I replied. “We both have.”

  “You�
��ll love me again, you’ll see,” he said smugly.

  I shook my head, a tear falling down my cheek. “No, I won’t.”

  “Oh you will,” he sneered. “You will come home with me and love me or I will kill your cowboy along with his family.”

  I gasped and turned to look at him. I shouldn’t be surprised. He was a monster when I left; I guess I had no idea he would stoop so low. My body started to shake.

  “You wouldn’t,” I mumbled, wondering what would happen if I drove off the highway. Would we survive? It might be worth a try if it kept my new family safe.

  “Oh but I would,” he chuckled and nodded towards the hotel I was approaching. “Turn in here.”

  I turned into the parking lot, wondering how I was going to get out of this. I figured the only way was to go back with him. I couldn’t let him hurt Clint; I’d do anything to keep him safe.

  “You need to let me get back to the ranch, Seth. Clint will be looking for me. I’ll go get the money and bring it back.” My eyes were filled with tears. “Please don’t hurt him,” I whispered.

  His green eyes flashed darker with anger. “Let him come.” His finger ran along my cheek. “Maybe he’d like to watch what I plan to do to you.”

  “Seth,” I pleaded, my voice cracking. He was so different from the boy I first met, the boy that took me in and took care of me when my mom died. He never left my side that whole time and despite the way he was now, I would have been lost without him throughout that whole ordeal. “Please…for old time’s sake. Trust me.”

  He clutched his gun tighter. “Are you serious, you bitch? Trust you? You fucking left me and took my money! And I’m supposed to trust you? Fuck that.” He reached for the car handle. “Get the fuck out.” He opened the car door and got out, slamming it hard behind him.

  I took a deep breath and got out of the car. He’d come around to my side of the car and grabbed my elbow as soon as I stood up. He dug his fingers into my flesh as I winced. “Seth, you’re hurting me,” I managed to whisper.

  He laughed. “I haven’t even begun.” He led me to the hotel door on the side of the building and pulled his key out of his pocket. He unlocked the door with one hand, never letting go of the vise-like grip he had on my arm. Once he had the door open, he started dragging me down the hall, walking so fast I could barely keep up.

  My mind was going a million miles an hour. How had he even found me? When I got rid of my old phone I thought for sure he would never be able to track me. How did he know about Clint and the ranch? I had to get him out of here before he hurt him. I couldn’t let anything happen to him or his family. Even if it meant going with Seth back to Buffalo, I would; whatever I had to do to protect them.

  I took a deep breath as we approached the room at the end of the hallway. If I was going to get out of here, I had to keep my wits about me and not panic. I couldn’t let him see my fear; he would feed off of it and only torment me more.

  He unlocked the door and pushed me inside. “Get on the bed,” he ordered me, putting his gun back in the waistband of his pants. I crawled onto the bed and turned around, sitting up against the back. I gasped when I saw a couple of guys sitting at a table in the corner of the room around a pile of what I assumed to be cocaine. When I left him months ago, the only thing he’d been selling was pot; what else had he gotten into.

  He must have noticed me watching them. “Do you want to try some?” He sneered at me.

  I shook my head frantically and turned away from them. He came over to sit by me on the bed. “Maybe I will get you hooked on heroin and send you back to your cowboy. I bet he’d love to have a junkie girlfriend.” He put his hand on my thigh, gripping it tight when I tried to pull away. “Or maybe I’ll sell you off as a sex slave. I know a few guys that would pay some top money to do some pretty fucked up shit to you.” I swallowed hard, fighting back the bile that was rising in my throat. He laughed at my reaction and stood up. “Nah, I won’t do that.” He fingered my hair before pulling my head back hard to look up at him. “You, Rachel, belong to me.” He let go of my head and walked away from me, heading over to the table.

  I brought my knees up to my chest, hugging them tight and resting my forehead on them. I was torn; on one hand, I hoped Clint was looking for me, but on the other hand, I didn’t want him messed up with Seth. He’d clearly gotten more dangerous since I last saw him and there was no telling what he was capable of. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to him.

  I looked up when I heard the click of the door. The other guys had left, leaving me alone with Seth. My heart started pounding in my chest; now what?

  “I have to admit, Rachel, farm living agrees with you,” he said, walking over to grab his gun. “You look good.”

  “It’s not a farm,” I muttered.

  He waved his gun in the air. “Whatever.” He rolled his eyes.

  “How did you find me?” I asked.

  He grinned and sat down on a chair near the bed. “Rachel my dear, when you were home, I kept close tabs on you. I think you knew that.” I nodded; I’d had my suspicions. “In addition to checking your phone closely and having you followed most of the time, I had GPS put on your car.” I opened my mouth and gasped. He sat back and put his hands behind his head, looking pretty damn proud of himself. “I’ve known where you were all this time. I was just doing my homework and watching you, waiting for the right moment.”

  I tried to wrap my head around what he’d told me. All this time I thought I was safe here in the middle of nowhere and he knew the whole time. He’d been watching me and learning about Clint and his family. I swallowed back the tears.

  He stood up from the chair and kicked it back. “I think you should get undressed for me.” He leered at me and walked back over, standing near me. I could make out the outline of his erection through his jeans. “Or maybe I should make you suck my cock.” He reached down and rubbed himself over his clothes. “You always were a good little cocksucker.”

  I didn’t say anything; I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of reacting to his threats. If he wanted to hurt me that way, let him. He could do whatever he wanted to me as long as he left Clint and his family alone.

  He walked away, shaking his head. “No reaction, huh?” He turned back around. “I remember more than a few times you begged me to fuck you. Remember the night at the club when you were so hot you couldn’t even wait until we left. You went down on me in the ally and then let me fuck your ass right there. You lifted your skirt like the slut you are and begged me to stick my cock in you.”

  I shuddered, remembering the night. Seth and I had a pretty amazing sex life. We couldn’t keep our hands off of each other until he started the drugs and dealing. A lot of times he couldn’t even get it up to even have sex. We started to grow apart, having sex less and less.

  “Now you let that cowboy fuck you, don’t you?” I looked up at him, not saying a word.

  He snorted in disgust. “Figures, you slut. I bet you don’t let him fuck your ass though. Do you?” He glanced down at my legs. “Maybe I should remind you how much you enjoy it.”

  I made a sound deep in my throat and he smiled. “Later. Not here. When we get home I’m going to fuck you and do things to you so you won’t be able to get out of bed for days.” A feeling of dread came over me and I wondered if maybe I would be better off if he sold me to someone.

  He clasped his hands together, making me jump. “Now how are we going to get that money so we can get the fuck out of here? I hate all this nature.”

  “I’ll go tell Clint I’m leaving, that I can’t be with him. Then I’ll bring you your money,” I pleaded with him.

  He shook his head. “I don’t think so. There’s no way I can trust you not to tell him the real reason you’re leaving and him coming after you. I can’t have that. I have a feeling he won’t let you go so easily.”

  I shook my head, but deep down I knew Seth was right. If I told Clint I wanted to leave, he wouldn’t accept that. Des
pite our fight this morning, things between us had been really good lately. For me to just up and leave would raise suspicion. How could I get Seth what he wanted without endangering everyone I loved? There had to be a way.

  “Let’s go,” he said and pulled me from the bed, dragging me to the door.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, trying to sound calm.

  “To get my money. The sooner we get that, the sooner we can get the fuck out of here.”

  “What do you mean?” We walked back out of the hotel and out to my car.

  He looked over at me as he unlocked the door and shoved me inside the passenger side. “What the fuck do you mean ‘what do I mean’?” He looked down at me and grinned. “You’re going to take me to your cowboy’s ranch. You’re going to tell him you’re going home with me.”

  I shook my head and he slapped me. I brought my hand up to my face and fought back the tears. The asshole wasn’t going to see me cry. He slammed the door and stomped around to the driver’s side. He got in and started the car before turning to look at me. “You will not tell me what you are and are not doing again. Next time, I will do more than slap you.”

  I turned to look out the car window, trying to keep it together. He reached over and cupped my cheek in his hand. “Got it, bitch?”

  I bit my lip and nodded.

  He let go and backed the car out of the stall. “Good. This will go much easier if you do what I say.” He tore out of the parking lot of the hotel. “Let’s do this!”

  20

  Clint

  “I need to stop for gas.” We’d dropped off Eliza at her truck and Wyatt and I were heading back to the ranch. I was beyond frustrated at this point, finding no clues at all that brought us any closer to where Rachel was. Ma had called to find out if we had found her, only confirming that she wasn’t safely back home.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to call the police? I think at this point they would listen. It’s been hours.” Wyatt urged as we pulled into the gas station.