“I’m coming with you,” Cade said as they each took a side and supported Wyatt.
“I’m not drunk,” Wyatt said. “They saw Leslie and ran after her. Help her,” he insisted.
“We’re getting you inside first,” Owen said, dragging him.
They laid him down on the couch, and Cade yelled for Mason. “Stop the bleeding.”
Cade and Owen ran out and headed toward the trails, and as they made it halfway up the hill, they heard Sheriff Dalton’s voice. Cade disappeared into the trees, and Owen climbed over the boulders.
“Where did your old man hide the map? I know you’re aware of what we found,” he said to Dillon. “You’ll be attending a lot more funerals in your future. It’s your choice if you want to become the guest of honor or only a guest.”
“I’m not telling you shit,” Dillon spat. “You and your cronies can kiss my ass.”
“It’s not only us,” Sheriff Dalton said. “I’m only the enforcer. They hired me to make sure you don’t stay, unless you’re six feet under. Leslie and those brats are gone. Your brothers will be dispatched in no time. You only have one chance, Dillon.”
Owen dropped onto the sheriff as Cade handled his crony. They wrestled for the gun as Owen pushedhim against a boulder. He slammed his hand holding the weapon against the stone, making him lose his grip. Owen struck him in the stomach. Throwing another punch, he sent the sheriff halfway down the hill.
“You son of a bitch, if you hurt Leslie or the boys, I’ll make sure you never see daylight again,” he said as he pummeled him. “Where did you take them?”
Cade’s strong hand wrapped around Owen’s arm. “Save it, brother. The other one already squealed. They’re in the old mine. The sheriff threw dynamite in the entrance.”
Letting go of Dalton, Owen glared at Cade.
Kicking the sheriff onto his belly, Cade tied his hands with his belt. Heaving him over his shoulder, he threw him down next to the beaten fake officer. “Call Gunny. Tell him what happened and bring all the manpower and equipment he’s got.”
Owen dialed Gunny’s number. As soon as the man answered, Owen said, “Sheriff Dalton and his officers attacked the house. I need men. He threw dynamite in the old mine, and Leslie and the boys are trapped. I can’t use anyone here. We don’t have anyone we can trust.”
“We’re on our way. We’ll bring a medical team with us, and I’ll call in a favor from a few towns over from you,” Gunny said.
Hang in there, son, Owen heard beforedisconnecting the call. Owen glanced at his phone, swearing he heard his father’s voice.
He ran to the old mine and fell to his knees as he saw the devastation. There’s no way Leslie and the boys survived the blast.No, hang in there, son, he heard again.
Climbing over the rubble, he started removing rocks from the entrance as he whispered a prayer his mother taught him. Or maybe his dad, as he told him about the bloody battles he witnessed and how the angels protected him. Now, Owen prayed they protected the love of his life, his son and brother.
CHAPTER 34
“Mom,”Tucker cried. “Please wake up.” Leslie moved her hand to her head, attempting to stop the throbbing.
“Mom,” Conner called out.
Leslie blinked, seeing nothing but darkness. “Boys?” she called out.
“I’m right here, Mom,” Tucker said, feeling for her hand.
“Where’s Conner?” she asked groggily.
“He’s on the other side of the wall. He’s scared,” Tucker confided.
Trying to move her leg, Leslie groaned as a beam lay across it.
“Conner, honey, I’m right here. Everything will be fine. Your brothers will search for us,” she told him, and hoped shetold the truth.
“The rocks came down and separated us,” Tucker explained.
“Can you see anything?” I can’t move. There’s a beam across my leg.”
“No. I can’t see anything,” he said. “Conner, can you see anything?”
