Page 45

Chapter forty-five

Anchors won't stop us

Mason

It doesn’t take much encouragement for Hank to run. But my spurs prod his sides, urging him faster. Ford does the same, nearly matching my speed.

The screams from Trevor and Cash dragging behind grow weaker with every rock and tree truck they bounce off of.

There’s an old gravel pit ahead, and I point to Ford.

We’ll come back for the girls once I know the fuckers who took them aren’t going to be able to hurt them again.

“Please! Stop!” Gurgling cries come from the end of my rope.

“No!” I roar, bending over Hank’s neck for balance.

His ears flatten at my words, but he knows my legs are telling him to “go.”

Racing out of the thick trees, we hit the flattened quarry at full stride.

The lines buck and roll behind us as our cargo gets knocked against the boulders.

They need to suffer. We watched them for the last few miles once we caught their trail.

It was smart what the girls did, leaving the markers for us to find. We just needed the direction, Ford knew the spot they were aiming for, all we had to do was wait.

I didn’t expect Lori to try and call at that very moment.

Hank’s flanks have a sheen of sweat when I finally rein him back.

Ford trots up next to me. “I think they’re done rode out.” He juts his chin behind him.

Climbing down, Trevor’s face is bloody and broken. I can hardly recognize him.

“What the fuck do you think you were doing? You think you could touch my family and survive it?” I kick his shoulder, rolling him onto his back.

“It’s a shame how dangerous it can be when you fall off your horse and get dragged.” Ford spits onto the ground next to Cash. Ford hops down and loosens his lasso around Cash’s torso, and cinches it over his boot. His mouth twists before he turns and dry heaves again. “Shit. Wrong day to get that fucking drunk.”

“You got enemies, Mason. Bigger than me. I just wanted on the winning side.” Trevor coughs a ribbon of blood.

“Who the fuck hired you?” I kick him again, harder.

He groans, turning away from me.

Ford leans over and pulls the cord from around Trevor and loops it around both of his feet. Then he takes the other end and ties it to his saddle.

Both assholes are set to drag their way back.

The slick of blood around Trevor’s neck makes it hard to get a grip, but I manage.

Tightening my fist, I land two hard blows against his mangled cheek. “Tell me!”

“You’re going to fall, Mason. You and your family.” Trevor groans and tries to raise his hand, but his arm falls limply to the dirt.

There’s a dull crack as Ford kicks Cash in the side, mirroring my movements.

Cash just cries out, his words are unintelligible.

Doesn’t sound like either of us are getting any answers.

Ford steps up to me and grabs my elbow. “I’ll drag ‘em back. Tie up their horses for me so they can bring them down the hill.”

He climbs back into the saddle and waves me away. “Go get the girls.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.