Page 7 of Austin’s Answer (Shifter Ranch Mates #4)

SEVEN

Emily

My mind filled with conflicting thoughts as I drove up the driveway to my family home. I understood Austin walking away from me, thinking I wasn’t his mate, but I still couldn’t get past the way he chose to do it. The hurt he caused.

My heart wanted to guard itself, but it also still held those dreams of a future with Austin. Trusting him again was a giant leap I wasn’t sure I was prepared to take.

I parked my SUV next to Vince’s truck and headed for the house. I entered through the back door to avoid his office, not ready to deal with him. I’d stop by after and get an update on Dad’s condition.

Dad was sleeping when I got to his room, but I sat by his bed and flipped through the nurses’ notes. He was sleeping a lot, apparently. Too much. I did some research on his medications, but nothing accounted for it. I’d need to make time to get a full update from his doctor.

Dad stirred, and I leaned over to check on him. His eyes blinked open and focused on me. It took a minute for his confusion to clear, and when it did, he got agitated, trying to speak. But it came out garbled. I took his hand, trying to soothe him. “It’s okay, Dad. Everything’s okay.”

He shook his head, still trying to talk. Frustration filled his eyes.

“Give it time. I’ll talk to the doctor first chance I get and find out what’s going on.

See what he says about your recovery.” I squeezed his hand, frail in mine.

“I’m sorry I can’t be here more. Doc Johnson needed me to help with a case at Shifter Ranch, so I’m staying there for a few days. They have some poisoned horses.”

His eyes widened, and he squeezed my hand, trying to speak again. He eventually flopped back against his pillows, exhaustion evident on his face. His eyelids began to droop, and he slid back into a restless sleep.

I waited a few more minutes before leaving. I still needed to stop at the vet clinic, and the horses needed to be checked soon. I also wanted to talk to Vince. Hopefully, he’d be more receptive today than the last time we talked.

The office door was cracked open, and I heard low voices coming from inside. I was about to knock when Vince’s voice rang out, “I didn’t agree to this.”

I froze, fist outstretched, before slowly lowering my hand, curious.

“It’s too late to back out now. This is the best way to shut them down.” I recognized Ray’s voice. “A guest gets hurt thanks to a damaged saddle, they’ll start losing reservations.”

My breath caught. It sounded like they were talking about Shifter Ranch.

“Nobody was supposed to get hurt.” Vince sounded angry. “It’s bad enough we went after those horses.”

Ray scoffed. “It’s hardly the first time. Each of those women living there now got caught up in your grudge. You think the law will care if you meant it to happen?”

Ice filled me. Vince was responsible for the sabotage? And if I understood them right, someone else was going to get hurt. I fumbled for my phone, hands shaking as I typed a quick text to Austin. URGENT! You need to double-check the saddles.

I started to type more, but the right words to explain everything escaped me. How could I tell him that my own brother had caused all the trouble his family’s ranch had been having? My heart pounded loud in my ears. I needed to find Austin.

I shoved my phone into my pocket and turned to leave.

“Well, now, look who’s here.” Ray’s hand fell on my shoulder and spun me around. “Going somewhere?”

I tried to shrug off his hold, but his hand clamped down harder. “I was just visiting my dad. But I need to get going. I’m expected back soon.”

“Is that so?” Ray dragged me into the office. “You can’t leave without saying goodbye to your brother, princess.”

Vince stood up when we entered, eyes darting to Ray’s hold on me. “Emily? I didn’t know you were coming by today.”

“Caught her listening in.” There was a dark tone in Ray’s words.

“I wasn’t.” I twisted, trying to loosen his grip, but his fingers dug into my skin hard enough to bruise.

“I heard voices and didn’t want to interrupt, so I figured I’d leave.

I didn’t hear anything.” Every instinct inside me was screaming to get out of this house.

I couldn’t let them know I’d overheard them.

“What would it matter, anyway? This is my family’s ranch, too. Why can’t I hear about plans for it?”

“Let her go, Ray.” Vince sat down and scrubbed his hand over his face.

“She’s bluffing.” Ray let me go but stood blocking the door. “She was right outside. No way she didn’t hear us.”

Vince studied my face. I was a lousy liar. Always had been. But now something was riding on it. I fought to keep my face calm, but my pulse leaped, blood racing through my veins. “What? Were you talking about something private?”

Vince swore and pounded the desk with his fist, and I knew he knew. “You shouldn’t have eavesdropped, Emily.”

“I didn’t.” My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and Ray snatched it. “Hey! That’s mine.”

He ignored me. “It’s that shifter. The rodeo one.”

“Check the phone.” Vince sounded tired.

Ray unlocked the screen with my face, making me regret setting up that feature. He scrolled through my messages. “Looks like she warned him about the saddles. Says nothing about us, though.” He shoved the phone into his pocket. “What do you want me to do with her, boss?”

“Do with me?” My gaze darted between the two. “I’m your sister, Vince. You won’t hurt me.”

“She’s just going to run back to those shifters and tell them everything.” Ray crossed his arms. “She always had the hots for one of them.”

Vince dropped his head in his hands. His shoulders rose and fell with his breath as we waited for him to speak. When he lifted his head and didn’t meet my gaze, my stomach dropped. “Take her to the cabin. I’ll hide her vehicle.”

“You’re not serious.” I stepped closer to his desk and laid my hand on his. “Vince, this isn’t you.”

“Big brother has changed, princess.” Ray snorted. “Now, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

Vince shot a glare at Ray. “Don’t hurt her. I just need her out of the way while I fix this.”

“Of course, boss. Wouldn’t dream of hurting her.

” Ray grasped my upper arm and dragged me out of the office toward the back door, his hands rough against my skin.

I fought him, and he swore when my foot caught him in the shin.

He slammed me against the wall with a force that stole my breath.

He leaned closer as I tried to fill my lungs back up with air.

“Your brother may not want you hurt, but I don’t care.

Behave, or I’ll knock you out.” He chuckled.

“Might do it anyway. It’d be easier for me if you were out. ”

He tightened his grip and pulled me along next to him. My eyes darted around, searching for a weapon. Anything to get me out of this. I needed to warn Austin and his brothers.

We were in the kitchen now. My eyes landed on the knife block. The timing needed to be perfect.

As we passed the counter, I slammed my heel on his foot and his hold loosened, just enough for me to twist out of it.

I lunged for the knives, my hand bumping the block and tipping it over.

I trembled as adrenaline coursed through my body and reached for the closest handle, but before I could grab it, Ray was dragging me backward.

A cry flew from my lips as his fingers caught in my hair, pulling a few strands loose.

“So, we’re gonna do this the hard way, huh?” Ray laughed, a dark sound that echoed through me. “Sounds like fun.”