Page 28 of Falling For Her Cowboy (Silver Creek Ranch #9)

Chapter Seventeen

R idge wasn’t far behind them. He could hear a male’s voice up ahead. He kept a slight distance behind them to remain hidden. He didn’t want them to know he was trailing them. Whoever this fucker was sucked at moving unnoticed.

He was loud, too talkative, and didn’t believe in hiding their tracks.

Either this person was stupid or just cocky enough to think no one would go looking for Melah.

That’s where he’d gone wrong. His actions would cost him dearly. Coming onto the Silver Creek Ranch was the worse decision this person could have made, and by taking Melah—he’d just signed his death warrant .

Melah was well liked by all of the former soldiers on the ranch. She was like a sister to most of them. Ridge had heard nothing but good things about her from the others and knew once they found out she was missing, they’d be on the hunt for her.

He felt for his phone and sent a text to his brother.

She’s missing. I’m tracking her now.

He slid his phone back in his jeans and continued on. He’d bring her home where she belonged. She was his, and the person who’d taken her was going to pay for putting their hands on her, and if she was harmed in any way, only God could help them.

Ridge remained silent, and from the voice that echoed through the air, it would appear to only be one male.

“Keep going, bitch,” the voice growled.

A muffled response was faintly heard. Ridge’s hands balled into a tight fist. Was Melah gagged? He practically saw red with the thought, but he had to remain cool. He couldn’t lose his focus. He had to save her and ensure she was safe.

The woods were thick at the base of the mountain.

There were countless caves one could hide in.

He knew from experience. They’d camped in a few when he was younger.

His father always believed his boys should feel at one with nature.

It gave them a better understanding of life, and Ridge appreciated everything his father had instilled in him as a young man.

It may have even attributed to his love of helping animals.

About a half a mile up the mountain there was a large cave that was usually abandoned. In the wintertime, some of the wild animals used it to get out of the storms. From the direction they were headed, Ridge assumed that’s where the unknown male was taking Melah.

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking of this day. You ruined me, bitch. You know what prison does to a man?”

Theo English.

So the fucker had tracked Melah down. Ridge felt the warmth of Melah’s weapon on the small of his back. He’d tucked it in the back of his jeans to keep his hands free. He wouldn’t need the gun to deal with Theo. His bare hands were all that were needed.

His time in the Navy may not have been extremely long, but there were some things he’d been taught.

Hand-to-hand combat had been one of his favorites.

Those skills were ingrained in him. Months turned into years.

Ridge utilized all of the skills he had been taught.

When he’d gotten out of the Navy, he’d promised himself he’d be something other than what they’d trained him to be.

He’d follow his passion. Went to school on the government’s dime and made something of himself. He’d used the system to become the man he wanted to be, not who the Navy had wanted him to be.

One thing about deployments, someone was always trying to kill you.

And Ridge had become very proficient in insuring he was the one who lived.

“What did you say? Let you go? Not a chance,” Theo let out a harsh laugh.

Ridge quickened his pace. He remained silent as he approached them.

He paused behind a wide tree and glanced around it.

Through the brush, he spied Melah, and his breath was snatched from him.

She was gagged with her hands bound behind her back.

Her hair was a tangled mess, there was dirt on her clothes, but the anger brimming from her eyes told him all he needed to know.

“I lost so much time, now it’s your turn. While I was in prison, you got to live your life.”

She was strong—a survivor. If looks could kill, Theo would be six feet under .

Ridge’s gaze flew to the male gripping her arm.

He was a few inches shorter than Ridge’s six foot two and was on the lean side.

His dirty-blond hair was slicked back. He wore fatigues and boots.

There was a wickedly large blade strapped to his waist. Ridge didn’t even want to imagine what he was planning to do with that weapon.

Ridge narrowed his gaze on the man. This was the man who’d caused his woman so much pain.

Put his hands on her. Forced himself on her.

Ridge inhaled, and his entire body trembled.

She’d never have to deal with this Theo again after today. Ridge would ensure it.

Theo guided her out of the wooded area. Ridge stayed back.

There was an opening between the woods and where the mountain began.

The path up this part of the mountain was rough and rocky.

The terrain was not friendly at all. It was harsh, and Melah would have a hard time going up if she didn’t have the use of her arms.

“Maybe once I’m done with you, I’ll go and visit your good ol’ daddy. Make him pay for the sins of his daughter,” Theo threatened.

Melah spun on Theo and rammed her shoulder into his stomach.

He fell back a few steps in surprise then roared.

He shoved her away from him, then advanced on her and drew his hand back.

Ridge froze in place for a brief moment.

Theo’s palm connected with the side of her face and sent her flying down on the ground.

Enough was enough.

Ridge moved.

Theo was his.

Falling to the ground was just what Melah needed.

She landed on her ass with a thud. She brought her legs up and slipped her arms over them to bring them in front of her.

Her face stung, but it had been worth it.

She’d needed to piss him off enough for him to shove her down.

The slap hadn’t been expected, but at least she was able to get on the ground to get her arms in front of her.

She reached down for her pant legs while keeping her gaze locked on Theo.

“You bitch. Fuck my plans. I’ll just end you now,” he snarled.

He snatched the large blade from its sheath on his waist and strode toward her. She snagged the hem of her jeans and dragged it up. She gripped the small blade she kept strapped to her ankle and brought it out. She rolled onto her knees .

“That little knife is not going to help you.”

A crashing sound came from the woods. From the corner of her eye she saw a figure burst from the thicket of trees.

Ridge.

“Back away from her,” Ridge snapped.

Her heart fluttered. Theo glanced at Ridge and threw his head back and laughed.

She, in the meantime, worked on cutting the ties that bound her hands together.

With a few swipes of her blade, the binding fell off her wrist. Relief filled her at being free.

Her wrists had been going numb from how tight the binding had been.

She snatched the binding and the cloth from her mouth.

“You think you can save this bitch? I should have taken you out when I had the chance the other night,” Theo threatened. He got down in a defensive stance and motioned to Ridge with his blade. “I’ll deal with your boyfriend, Melah. I’ll gut him while you watch.”

Ridge’s gaze was narrowed on Theo. Melah pushed up from the ground and tightened her grip on her knife.

“You can’t take both of us on at the same time.” She wasn’t going to allow Ridge to fight her battle for her. This was her fight. Theo had come for her, and she’d be damned if Ridge got hurt in the process.

“Stay back, Melah,” Ridge warned. His eyes didn’t move from Theo. His face was devoid of all emotions.

“Such a gentleman. Doesn’t want his woman in a fight. Don’t you know, she’s a fucking soldier?” Theo snickered.

“I’ll never forget it, but she doesn’t need to get her hands dirty today.” Ridge advanced on Theo with a confident stride.

Melah’s gaze flicked between both of the men. Ridge had more height and weight on Theo, but she knew from experience that Theo never fought fair. One of his training highlights had been for them to get dirty and use any means necessary to win in hand-to-hand combat.

“Ridge—” Melah paused at the sight of Ridge’s hand slicing down in a hard motion.

He was shutting her down. She stood with her heart in her throat as the two men circled each other. Theo clenched his blade and dove at Ridge. She bit back a scream, but there was no point. Ridge expertly dodged the attack and sent an uppercut to Theo’s jaw which landed.

Theo stumbled back and grinned, revealing his blood-coated teeth. He turned and spat out the dark-crimson fluid. He shook his head.

“Lucky hit. Won’t happen again.” His smiled disappeared.

He struck toward Ridge again. This time the two men were engaged in a heated fight. Melah swallowed hard around the lump in her throat. She felt so damn helpless watching Ridge battle Theo, but it was soon revealed that Theo had bitten off more than he could chew.

Ridge at first allowed Theo to get a few moves in.

A pure assessment of Theo’s fighting skills which were lacking compared to his.

Ridge then went in like a storm blowing in.

His movements were swift and precise. Theo swung his knife at Ridge, but he blocked the move.

He brought his fist down on Theo’s arm, disarming him.

The knife fell to the ground. Ridge somehow kicked it out of the way.

Melah dove down to grab it. She didn’t want to chance Theo getting his hands on it.

She crawled away. The love of her life faced the man she hated.

She slid her small dagger back into the sheath on her ankle and gripped Theo’s hunting knife.

It was large, serrated, and perfect for doing damage to flesh.