“We’ll address it later. Right now, I’m concerned about Leslie and getting to them,” Owen said. “Does everyone have a weapon except for Wyatt?”
“Why do I not get one?” Wyatt asked, indignant.
“Because alcohol and guns don’t mix,” Owen said. “I didn’t think we’d need to point that out to you.”
“When we get back to the house, I’m doing a security sweep and figuring out where to put cameras,” Elias said, starting to make a list.
Owen silently agreed while a knot twisted in his stomach. The woman he loved, his son, and little brother found themselves in trouble. Instead of walking away, he knew he’d run to them.
CHAPTER 22
Owen ranto the other side of the van as Mason slid into the driver’s seat. As soon as the van stopped, the men ran up the trail to their childhood home. It felt like days when they made it in less than two hours.
Coming in from behind the house, Owen took a left as Dillon went right. Elias watched the back door. No vehicles sat in the driveway, and the house appeared empty. Owen breached the front door, clearing the rooms as he went. Whistling, he called for his brothers. Elias and Dillon entered and stared at the tossed house. Someone broke in and searched for something.
“I cleared the house. Mason, there’s a playpen in Wyatt’s closet upstairs. The boys can use it for a bed. I saw some of our old toys in the closet upstairs.” Owen said as Mason entered the front door with the twins. “See if you can pick this up while we’re gone.”
Dillon ran to the bathroom, grabbed some medications and alcohol, and threw them into his pack, which he left by the back door. Owen grabbed a couple of sheets from the closet, and Elias threw a few bottles of water into his bag.
Owen locked the doors as the three of them started up the trail to his family. His heart thudded in his chest as they took turns clearing the bends in the path and scanning the area as they made their way up.
They made it halfway up when Owen cleared the next corner to find a gun in his face while he held his on the intruder. He took a deep breath and lowered his weapon.
“Cade, you scared the shit out of me,” he said, relaxing his stance. “When in the hell did you get here?”
“Dillon texted and said you needed help. I see you brought the clodhopper again. I heard him from the moment you started the trail,” Cade said while he kept his eyes on the rocks. “When I arrived, I saw two men snooping around. I decided to follow them. They’re very interested in the trails for some reason. They left about fifteen minutes ago.”
“Why didn’t you stop them?” Owen asked. “We need to know what they’re after.”
“Stow it, Cade. I’m not the one prancing around in tight underwear to make my dick appear bigger.” Elias snapped.
“You wish,” Cade said, dismissing him. “I put a tracker on their vehicles when I arrived. At least we can see where they’re going. What has you running up the mountain and nearly getting yourself shot?”
“Tucker called. Someone broke into Leslie’s place. They fled to Dad’s, only to find two vehicles. Leslie took them to the secret cave. She’s sick,” Owen explained, going up the trail. “We have to get to them.”
Cade’s brows furrowed in concern. “Who’s all with you?”
“Wyatt, Mason, and his kids stayed at the house,” Owen said, leading the group.
“And you brought Elias instead of Mason? He can’t even walk quietly, much less shoot,” Cade said as he walked beside him.
“I worked with what I had. If I’d known you decided to join the party, I might’ve done something differently,” Owen explained. “You didn’t see anything else?”
“No. I followed the men and checked the trails. I wanted to see what kept their interest,” Cade said, as they made it to the final bend. Owen cleared it, and they rushed to the entrance of the cave.
Tucker and Conner sat by Leslie. Tucker removed a rag, and Conner replaced it with another. When they saw the men, Tucker started in surprise, and Conner ran to Owen and hugged him at the waist. He opened his arms to Tucker, letting them knowthey were safe. Dillon knelt at Leslie’s side, examining her.
“Did she wake?” he asked Tucker.
“For a few minutes,” Tucker reported as he watched Owen drop beside her head. “I gave her the acetaminophen, and she told us to go to the back of the cave. I hope she’s not mad when she wakes up because we did what you told us to do. We never left her.”
“You did a good job, son. We never leave anyone behind,” Owen glanced up at Tucker.
Dillon pulled out Leslie’s arm, examining it. “Did she say what she cut it on, Tucker?”
“The man attacked her. She hit him with a lamp and a vase. I heard the crashes and ran down with a bat. I hit the man in the shoulder, and Mom rushed for her gun. He ran out of the house. When she took us to her bedroom, I saw her bleeding. Conner took her hand as we walked up the mountain, and he felt it. I think she bled a lot. She didn’t want us to worry.” Tears filled his eyes as he glanced down at his mom.
“She’ll be fine. I want you to go with Uncle Elias and Uncle Cade. Uncle Dillon and I will bring your mom down,” Owen instructed. “We need a cool bath ready when we arrive. Can you get it ready for me?”
