Branded by the Texans [Three Star Republic] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Branded by the Texans (lit)

  “Dillon?”

  “Just looked him over when Logan left for a minute. Doin’ good. He was startin’ to stir some. If Logan thinks he’s going to put the spurs to him and grill big brother, I ain’t lettin’ it happen.”

  Dono nodded, well knowing Dash’s determination. In these kinds of matters, he could be fiercer and more stubborn than a full-grown bull in gettin’ his way. Most of the time, Dono and Dillon stepped out of his way, as did those folks who knew him.

  “Dash, please, don’t let Logan do anything to Dillon.”

  Kylie’s soft plea took over Dash’s heart. Dono witnessed it flicker in his brother’s eyes. His chin jutted out even more stubbornly.

  “No one’s harmin’ Dillon.” Dash pressed a fast kiss on Kylie’s temple. Picking up the med kit, he rushed toward the pickup.

  Dono swept Kylie into his arms. Striding for the Tesla, he kept Dash in his periphery vision. His brother stowed the med kit, then hopped inside the pickup. The engine rumbled to life. Dono knew as much as they’d used the truck, it still needed minutes to power up for peak performance.

  “It’ll be a moment or two, darlin’.” Dono let Kylie gently slide down him, then tucked her to his side. “Gotta remember the exact code. Then, it’ll take a bit for Dillon’s baby to warm up to my voice. Okay, here we go. This is the code. Fox trot fever and forever stands the Republic.”

  “There were blue sparks flying off the Tesla,” she murmured.

  As if a blizzard wind blew through him, Dono froze. He waited for the Tesla’s energy shielding to diminish, then hauled the door open. Scooping Kylie up, he eased her inside.

  “Okay, sweetheart?” He set the jar of honey at her feet.

  She nodded. “Please, let’s just get out of here.”

  Dono didn’t bother saying anything, knowing when to keep his silver tongue quiet. Shutting her door, he raced toward the driver’s side, then paused observing Logan at Dash’s window. The man’s jaw worked as if he were chewing on some mighty fine tobacco. If Logan was that lathered up, he wasn’t taking any chances by waitin’ to follow Dash.

  Sliding inside the Tesla, he palmed the dashboard, letting the small control window read him. Quick as the amber dot of light appeared, he hummed the auto to life.

  “I know I’m not Dillon, Speed Critter, but we gotta get you home.”

  Eyeing the mirrors, Dono backed up, swung around, and slowly drove for the exit. He ignored Logan’s attempt to wave him down, then watched Dash take advantage of the situation, gunning the pickup after him.

  “Oh crap no, they’re about to block our way out of here,” Kylie uttered. “Why?”

  Dono glanced at her. She’d leaned forward, the lines of her body rigid with apprehension. “Wish I had a dang, for-real clue. Grab hold of something. We’re rollin’ fast.”

  Thumbing the warning horn, Dono hit the accelerator hard, aiming for the fast-closing space. One of Logan’s team maneuvered an equipment truck across the main exit.

  “No one corrals me this way,” Dono growled, his ornery nature taking over.

  Increasing their speed rapidly, he kept the horn blasting. Behind him, Dash blasted the rebel’s anthem. Touching the brake once, he altered course slightly and wheeled around the advancing truck and onto the road. From the pickup’s low roar tight on their rear, he knew Dash stayed with him.

  Once they cruised toward the highway, Dono touched the contact panel. “Well, hell and high water, they’re tryin’ to listen to us.” He shut off communication with Dash.

  “One Foot Hayworth.” She spoke in the silence that followed. “Maybe that’s why.”

  Once again, Dono became frigid inside and swore a humongous icicle formed right down his middle. “General Hayworth, Dillon’s Union nemesis. Yep, keep on rawhidin’ them doggies. It all makes too much sense now. No wonder Logan is in a serious racin’ lather. From the look of things, there had to be two full squads that snuck their way across the border.”

  “Felt like it…whatever all that means.”

  “Eat some more of that honey, Kylie. You’re lookin’ a bit pinker. You could still use some more color.”

  “You’re not looking so tan yourself.”

  Dono whipped his gaze to her, making certain she did what he said. Happy that his wife licked honey off her finger, he explained, “One Foot was never an enemy to be underestimated.”

  “Yeah, I can testify to that. The blue sparks bouncing off the Tesla, do you know what that was?”

  “I do.”

  “Something bad, huh?”

  Dono drew in a giant’s worth of breath, and gave her the answer. “They were trying to blow up the Tesla.”

  “Oh.” She’d spoken after a long moment. “Am I glad that didn’t happen.”

  “Dillon’s got her protected every way he can. I know that.”

  He heard her haul in a long breath. “What happened to you and Dash?”

  Dono hesitated but figured he should probably tell her. “Met with an ambush once we got close to Five Spurs. We didn’t know it was Union rascals chasing after us until I saw the way their trucks rode. The spring suspension is different.”

  “How many of them were there?”

  From the corner of his eye, Dono watched her eat more of the honey, and felt relief flood clear down to his toes. “Six we know about.”

  “That must have been a wild chase and shootout…like the movies on my Earth. If it was anything like…”

  She didn’t finish, and Dono sure as hell didn’t tell her they had their shootout all on camera, at least, from the truck’s view.

  “How did you know? I mean, how did you know me and Dillon needed help?”

  Dono rubbed the top of his woman’s thigh with the tenderness he felt for her. “I had one of my visions. I saw Dillon being ambushed.”

  Covering his hand with hers, she lightly rubbed with her palm. “I think I’ll be listening to your visions from now on.” Shifting a bit toward him, she squeezed his hand. “Thank you. Dono, thank you.”

  Dono had gladly played the gallant for ladies before. He’d never regretted it, despite the troubles it had caused in some instances.

  Yet, he’d never felt as heroic as he did in this moment. It was all because of her. Only because of her. His beautiful little wife.

  “Like Dillon said, you’re my heaven. My mermaid come to life, the one I get to love with my heart and be husband lovin’ to.”

  “Oh, Dono.”

  The utter softness of her voice, her hand as she clasped his, then the lacing of their fingers, filled Dono up to the brim. His heart swelled, and he silently spoke another prayer of thanks to the Almighty for her, his wife. His Kylie.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Pure Brotherly Love

  Dash thumped his steering wheel in growing frustration. There was no way of contacting Dono. Not yet.

  “Hellfire burn their ugly butt cracks,” he growled, cursing their Union bushwhackers.

  Following after the Tesla, he knew everything was okay. Still, he wanted to know and hear Kylie was alright. Damn, the truth, he wanted to hear her speak, hear the feather-brushing softness of her voice that changed him to hankerin’ goo.

  After another check of his rearview mirror, he tossed a glance at Dillon. He stirred like a bear who smelled the first signs of spring. So far, he wasn’t thrashing enough to do himself any harm.

  Hoping it would bring his big brother back to consciousness sooner, he spoke to him, normal as if they worked the ranch. “Dillon. Dillon, you’re doin’ okay. Our wife is fine. We’re headed home, big brother.”

  “One Foot.”

  Dillon’s slurred words stopped Dash’s heart, then drummed it fast and hard. “Hayworth?” he asked after a couple of quick breaths.

  “Yup, Hayworth. Is Kylie okay?”

  There was less slur in Dillon’s voice, and Dash shifted his gaze sideways. Dillon had propped himself up on the side of the door, his head steady enough. “She’s doin’ fine. Ridin’ in
the Tesla ahead of us with Dono. How awake are you?”

  “Awake enough to feel like swingin’ a fist into your jaw.”

  “Good.”

  “What’d the hell you do to me? A full-growed stud clampin’ down on my shoulder wouldn’t hurt this much.”

  “You’ll heal faster the way I did it.” Dash set the pickup’s auto speed to match Dono, since he needed to devote his attention to Dillon.

  “Yeah?” Underlying his growl, Dash heard his brother’s acceptance.

  “Yep. Had to suck a whole wagon load of toxin outta you. You shoulda been on the stiff side of a board after that zinger flame went to work on your shoulder.”

  “What? And miss all that shoot-the-varmints’ fun. Betsy would never forgive me. Where is she?”

  “Pried her out of your grip when Dono was calmin’ Kylie. She’s in the med kit.”

  “I’d feel better if she was in my grip right now.”

  Dash didn’t resist his funny bone. “Kylie or Betsy?”

  “Ha ha,” Dillon grouched. “Both.”

  “Why’d you take her? Kylie, not Betsy.”

  “Wouldn’t be here, if I hadn’t.”

  Like the quiet before the wind-screaming approach of a cyclone, silence took over. Dash digested his brother’s words, not liking the way they went down, at first, but knowing he spoke the unvarnished truth. As Dillon usually did.

  “By your power-drained rifles, I’d say you and Dono were ambushed by One Foot’s military talent.”

  “Yep, on our side of Five Spurs. Six truck phalanx. To start. Logan is ridin’ our asses like a bronc buster over this. Must be ‘cause he knows it’s a hardcore Union infiltration.”

  “He’d know. I’ll deal with him, once I’m more on the mend, and get my mind straight on all the facts.”

  “Probably best. I got our skirmish on the pickup’s cameras.” Dash eyed his brother as he settled a bit more comfortably. “Got some of that blue Arnica gel. That’ll take most of the pain away.”

  “The stuff Dono uses on his race horses?”

  “Yup, works on me and Dono, too.”

  “After usin’ the extractor?” Dillon sounded dubious.

  “Ran into some bad contamination from the border wars that hadn’t been found or cleaned up yet, when Dono and me was outside Dallas lookin’ at horseflesh last fall. After the extractin’ that Arnica stuff worked like a charm.”

  Dillon grunted. “I’ll try anything. Don’t want Kylie worryin’. How’d you and Dono know to come rescue my ass? More important, rescue our wife?”

  “Dono had one of his visions. Saw you being ambushed.”

  Dillon gave a stiff nod. “I’ll have to thank him. How come he ain’t on the horn with you?”

  “Logan’s been tryin’ to listen in with his tech gadgets.”

  “Ain’t none of his business till I talk to him. If he wants real answers, he better get his butt and team up to the border and see what or who screwed up.”

  “Tried to tell ‘im that when he said they was all Union military. I think he got his hatband stretched over this. He didn’t think it could occur.”

  “Yep. I got mine stretched, even though it was One Foot. Truth is, Dash, from what Arnie told me, and some other intel I know about, we might have a tornado-brewin’ problem on our hands.”

  “The Union’s never stopped tryin’ to bust our chops, one way or ‘nother.”

  “Yep, that’s the reason I stayed involved. Damn, this hurts like a mother. Thanks, for doin’ such a good job, though.”

  “Pure brotherly love,” Dash ribbed, and meant.

  Dillon covered a groan with a large heaved sigh, and straightened in the seat. “One Foot would’ve been too smart to attack the ranch, itself.”

  “His yellow bellies would be starin’ at the gates of hell and his days in this life would be numbered.” Dash flexed his gun hand.

  “Looks like we’ll have to be extra careful in lookin’ out for our Kylie. Hayworth will figure she’s our weakest link, now.”

  Dash thought over Dillon’s words. “At some point, it’s lookin’ like we’ll have to take that mean-tempered bull by the horns and put him out of our misery. Unless, someone else takes him out.”

  “I hear ya, Dash. First, we gotta focus on havin’ a good relationship with our wife. Then, get the ranch real solid in all its operations. Then we’ll make careful plans.” Dillon paused, harshly rumbling a chuckle. “Or, send Dono in the Katydid.”

  “Dono would get there, alright. It’s the gettin’ back that could end his handsome hide.”

  “Yeah, smarter to bait the trap. Make One Foot step in. I’m thinkin’ one of those rusted traps we found on the ranch in the early years.” Dillon barked a short laugh.

  Dash chortled, joining in. The image of Hayworth stepping into an old-fashioned bear trap with his one good foot mightily tickled him. Sure enough, their dark humor had helped keep them sane during the border wars and all the bad times.

  “Looks like Logan gave up monitorin’ our communication.” Dash figured he’d let Dono contact first, though. The Tesla’s system was superior for detecting interference.

  “Good. Pickup okay to go faster?” Dillon’s voice had strengthened and Dash heaved an internal sigh, relieved his brother kept improving.

  “Yep. But not her fastest.” Dash glanced at Dillon. His hand worked, wanting hold of Betsy. “You feelin’ something else?”

  “Nope. Not anything immediate. Just anxious to get home.”

  “Home. That never sounded better now we got Kylie.”

  “Yep, you’re right about that.”

  “Dash.” Dono’s voice cut through the cabin. “You hear me?”

  “Yeah, I gotcha. Everything okay?”

  “Sailing along right fine. Dillon?”

  “He’s grumpy as a banged up bear,” Dillon answered.

  “Dillon.” Kylie’s sweet voice filled the pickup. “Are you okay?”

  “Can’t wait to get you cuddled next to me in bed. We both need some rest.”

  Dash cracked a grin at his brother’s gravelly croon. It appeared like their wife was his best medicine.

  “I know I’ll be exhausted later. You certain you’re okay?”

  The deep concern in Kylie’s tone had Dash’s heart flipping like a fish out of water. She truly cared down to her heart. She was going to love them, love them all.

  “I’ll be better once we reach the ranch, and home, sweet thang. Dash has got some gel he claims is gonna fix my shoulder.”

  “The blue stuff?” Dono asked. “It works.”

  “Yep,” Dash replied. “I’m thinkin’ of some other salves we got, too. I’ll cook up some broth, put in the healing herbs.”

  “Take care of the ranch first,” Dillon growled.

  “I’ll do what I want. What needs doin’,” Dash shot back quick.

  “Is this where I’m supposed to wrangle my cowboys into cooperating with each other?” Kylie sassily, yet seriously demanded.

  “We’re cooperatin’,” Dillon rumbled, his tone subdued.

  “You want me to increase the speed?” Dono asked. “Wasn’t sure how much the pickup was hurtin’.”

  Dash scanned his dials. “She’s plucky for another twenty miles per hour.”

  “Balls to the walls, boys,” Dillon commanded in that over-dramatic way he enjoyed at times. “Just keep an eye peeled for Bonnie.”

  “Signin’ off,” Dono announced. “Need to keep a steady rein on Dillon’s baby here.”

  “Right behind you, Dono. Signin’ off.”

  Dash kept an eye on his systems as the pickup automatically kicked up to a higher speed. In minutes, they’d passed Five Spurs. The amount of traffic had lessened, and the sun made a beeline for the highest mountaintops, about to disappear from view.

  “Damn, Dillon, I’m glad you’re in one piece.” Dash flashed a glance at his brother.

  “The Almighty does move in those strange and mysterious ways of His. I’ll make certai
n I ain’t out long so you and Dono don’t have to shoulder all the ranch chores.”

  “You know, I been thinkin’ for a while now, it might be time to look at hiring on a few good menfolk, especially for the cattle. There’s more than enough work for the four managers we already got. Heard tell down at Lyle’s place that there are cowboys wantin’ that kind of opportunity, since the population has growed.”

  “Been thinkin’ along the same lines. We’ll all want more time with Kylie.”

  “Yep, we will. Once things settle into a routine, I’ll set up some interviews.”

  “Might be time to start enjoyin’ life more and doin’ those things a wife likes. What Kylie likes.”

  “You ain’t gettin’ too civilized on me, are you, big brother?” Dash poked in good fun, though he’d been thinking along those same lines and makin’ plans in his head as he did chores.

  “Hell, no. You know me better. All us Vega brothers got a wild streak wide as the Rio Grande.”

  Dash surreptitiously studied Dillon’s face from the corner of his eye. His brother was still gray around the edges, concerning him, again. “You remember mom sayin’ that?”

  “Half the time she’d be rufflin’ our hair and sayin’ that. The other half she’d be chasin’ us with that whackin’ broom she kept handy.”

  “Yup, or whatever she could grab. I got the skillet hard a coupla times. She had one hell of a good swing. Heckfire, our wife can sling bars of soap like a regular baseball pitcher.” Dash’s cock gave a remembering twitch.

  “Dono mentioned her good throwin’ arm. I gotta be envious of what he didn’t say. Though, my sweet thang did hurl her garments…Guldurn, my privates ain’t up for thinking about that.”

  “Mom woulda liked our Kylie.”

  “Dad, too.”Dillon sucked in a breath and resettled himself. “God, I still miss them.”

  “You haven’t mentioned a dream where you talk to ‘em recently.”

  “Nope. You have one?”

  “Dad was takin’ a look at the pickup with me. Laughin’ at me and makin’ suggestions, both.”