Hank. She bent down to pat his head, and he licked her hand. The dog darted outside.
“Shit,” she said, watching as the dog ran outside. Of course, he needed to relieve himself. Marshall could help her find him later, because there was no way in hell she was going to do some nighttime farm exploration. Not while a murderer was on the loose.
Satisfied the house was empty after a thorough exploration, Colette made her way to the guest house. She could spend the night there while she waited for Marshall to return. She had packed an overnight bag for this exact reason. Curl up on the sofa and wait for him to call. Lord knew she had left him ample texts and missed calls on his screen. He would see them soon.
Wanting to remain unseen, Colette opted to sit in the dark and kept her eyes on her phone for a call. If Jarrett could have lured Jack to work against Marshall, who else could be on his payroll?
Her head shot up as she heard the familiar sound of gravel crunching beneath tires. She had no fucking clue why he wouldn’t have called her back, but Colette breathed a sigh of relief.
Marshall was home.
The familiar sound of Hank barking excitedly at his owner’s return caused a knot of tension to release in her chest. Standing, she watched as the lights in the main house came on. Her brows gathered as she waited for Marshall to notice her calls, her messages. Still, the phone remained dark.
Her eyes caught on the dark silhouette of someone emerging from the main house. Cloaked in darkness, it was hard to make out his features, but she couldn’t imagine who else would know she was here.
He was on his way to her.
Why would he bother to call when she told him to meet her in the guest house? Colette walked up to the door, pulling it open as the phone in her hand began to buzz.
Confused, Colette read the words on the screen.
MARSHALL
The person headed toward her was not on the phone. Her heart picked up its pace in her chest as she began to realize that maybe she wasn’t watching Marshall walk up to the guest house. Her gaze bounced between the phone screen and the person in front of her. She flicked on the front outdoor light.
Shit.
Her heart stopped.
In a flash of movement, she attempted to slam the door closed and answered the phone. She needed to lock him out.
“Marshall,” Colette began as she picked up the call. “Help me. He’s here. Your—” her sentence was cut off by her body being slammed against the wall as the door smacked her in the face. She hadn’t moved fast enough.
“That was close,” Jarrett King, Marshall’s own uncle, said as he pushed his way into the darkened home. “You’re not spilling any secrets tonight, sweetie. I’ve got too much to lose.” He reached out to seize her by the neck and pushed her up against the wall. He grabbed her by the wrist with his other hand and slammed her hand against the wall, forcing her to drop the phone. It flew onto the living room carpet with a soft thud.
Pain flashed through her hand. She was cornered, Jarrett’s sour breath coming in heaving puffs against her face.
“I’m not the only one who knows,” she lied, her words struggling. “I’ve told everyone.”
“Bullshit. I followed you here because I knew you were running to tell Marshall. Well, guess what? Marshall wouldn’t know what to do with the information if it slapped him in the face. That moron isn’t good for much more than lifting a bale of hay. He doesn’t even deserve to be here.”
“He deserves it more than you,” she spat, struggling beneath his choking grasp.
“Please, it’s time for a new branch of the King family to take power. I’m clearing a path for my son and making sure Marshall gets out of the way. His incompetence will no longer be tolerated.” His mouth curved into a malicious grin as he gave a gravelly chuckle. “I find I am quite enamored with the seizing of power, by any means necessary.”
The pressure tightened around her neck, and Colette coughed. She clawed at his handsand dug her nailsinto his face. Her skin flushed as her lungs desperately sought air. With a sharp movement, she connected her knee with his groin. Her father’s wise words when she was a teenager came back to her.
If a man ever tries to grab you, get him in the balls.
Wise words, Daddy.
“Oof,” Jarrett grunted as Colette hit her mark. He doubled over, loosening his grip on her neck.
She debated between calling for help and making a run for it.
It wouldn’t take her long to make it to the bunkhouse.
In a fraction of a second, she shoved him away and ran to get out.
