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Chapter Twenty-Five
RED
Four weeks later
I kiss my new wife on the forehead as I get ready to go out, and tend the animals. She stirs awake and opens her gorgeous amber eyes.
“What time is it?” I chuckle as I read the clock.
“My grandpa would say the ass crack of dawn. Go back to sleep. I’ll see you at breakfast.” She yawns and rolls over, gracing me with a glimpse of her perfect ass poking out of her little nightie.
I’ve had this woman on every surface and position known to mankind, and still, I want her like no other. I smile as I rearrange my cock in my jeans.
She’s my wife now, and part of her present to me was a very detailed free-use policy, which I have happily taken advantage of during our honeymoon.
If she’s not knocked up, I’ll need to see a doctor to check my sperm count ‘cause I’ve made damn sure to keep her full of it.
I make my way to the barn to wait for Colton. I’m brushing Jett getting him ready for my saddle when he comes in grumbling.
“Fucking hell,” he makes his way to Marigold’s stall in a huff.
“Colt, you grew up on this ranch. Why on earth are you still so grumpy in the morning?” He glares at me, but even that can’t wreck my mood.
“Don’t start with me, Red. Rising before the devil puts me in a bad mood.” I ignore him and let him get about his business.
“There’s my good girl,” His mare chuffs as he rubs her nose.
Then his fucking cell phone goes off, echoing in the barn.
“Shit,” It takes him twice as long as it should to fish the fucking thing out of his jeans.
“Who the fuck is calling you at this hour?” I throw my leg over Jett and rub his neck.
“Don’t recognize the number.” I growl at him when he goes to shut it off.
“Only one reason to call anyone before dawn.” I let my words sink in as he sighs and answers the call when it starts ringing a second time.
“Hello?” he sounds hesitant as he holds the phone to his ear.
I watch as he frowns at me, trying to understand what’s being said in his ear.
I lean forward, trying to make out the voice I can just barely hear.
“Jacobs?” Why does that name sound familiar?
Then it hits me. His college roommate. The one who took the fall for him during the bar fight in his third year. Colton wouldn’t be a lawyer today if the guy hadn’t told the cops he hit the police chief’s son.
He shakes his head in confusion as he listens, and it annoys the fuck out of me that he didn’t put it on speaker. All I’m getting is a lot of one-way conversation.
“What?”
“Bruce, I’m not sure how you want me to help.”
“Ok.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose for the rest of the silent-on-his-side convo before he hangs up and then opens a text.
I snarl at him when I’ve lost my patience with the whole scenario.
“WELL?” He finally looks up at me from his phone.
“Bruce’s sister is missing.” He blackens the screen before I can see what was sent to him.
“Why call you?” He shrugs at me.
“I don’t know, but I aim to find out.” He makes this phone call on the speaker, and I hear our brother Kooper sigh in annoyance.
“Who’s dead?” Colton rolls his eyes.
“No one, but I need to speak to Abel.” I curse under my breath.
Colton laughs at my reaction, but he wasn’t there when the whole shit went down, and he only knows half the story.
Plausible deniability, he called it.
“Why you need that asshole when Lacey can do his job ten times over?” I arch an eyebrow cause he’s got a point.
“Kooper, please,” Colton sighs.
“Fine, but she’s going to be pissed that you went over her, which she’ll take out on me. Which means -,” Colt nods with a grin on his face.
“You’re going to take it out on me. Yes, I know.” He hangs up and turns in my direction again.
“Do I want to know?” He shakes his head.
“Why do I get the feeling that you ain’t riding up to Pasture Four with me this morning?” He pats Marigold’s nose.
“Sorry, girl.” I don’t like the tone in his voice.
“Cause no matter what Clay says, you’re not as stupid as you look.” I snort when he finally answers me.
“I’ll tell him that when I dump a bucket of cold water on him since he’ll be taking your place.” His phone rings again, but before he answers, I call after him.
“Whatever Bruce asked you to do, make sure you stay safe.” He nods, and then he’s gone.
I sigh as I ride along the fence to check for breaks. I decide to call Clayton to give him a heads-up, but when he doesn’t pick up and texts me instead, I frown.
Busy.
It’s barely dawn.
What do you want Red.
Colton may be in trouble.
Aren’t we all? See you at breakfast.
Well, if that wasn’t clear as piss.
As the sun rises over Pasture Four, I can’t help wondering what this day has been brewing for the rest of my family. One thing I know for sure is that there’s never a dull moment at Justice Ranch.