“Thanks.” I left my heels in the truck and slipped my feet into the oversized boots.
We set off up the hill, Davis checking his phone every so often to make sure we stayed on track. I knew the Taylor family was close, but never imagined they kept track of one another’s whereabouts with an app.
Davis had explained it was their mother’s idea. She’d insisted on it when they were younger, and the brothers had kept it up so they could keep tabs on one another. Whatever the reason, hopefully it would pay off.
The four of us cleared the top of the small hill and looked down at an old barn. Light streamed through one of the doors. Muffled yells and cheers drifted up the hill.
“You’re sure he’s in there?” I asked. Looked like there was some sort of party going on.
“I sure as hell hope not.” Mitchell’s jaw was set. Besides Jasper, he was the biggest of the brothers. If he felt uneasy, I ought to be shaking in my borrowed rubber boots.
“Shit.” Trent scrubbed his hands over his barely there hair. “Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is.”
“What?” I looked over the dozen or so trucks and SUVs parked outside the barn, a bad feeling starting to take root in my chest.
“Let’s not go making shit up. Jasper deserves the benefit of the doubt until we know for sure what he’s up to.” Davis slid his phone into his pocket. “I’m going closer.”
I made a move to follow. “You’d better stay here.” Mitchell put a hand out to stop me. Then he nudged his head toward me as he looked at Trent.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Trent put his arm in front of me, like that barrier would keep me from following the other two. “Let’s wait it out up here.”
I wanted to argue, but I also had enough sense to realize that if they thought it was bad, there was probably something horrible going on inside that barn. “What do they think’s happening in there?”
“I don’t even want to say.” Trent grabbed a tall piece of grass and focused on ripping it to small pieces.
I pursed my lips, my heart squeezing so tight, I couldn’t stand to be still. When Trent didn’t expand, I figured I’d have to take matters into my own hands and took off down the hill after Davis and Mitchell.
“Dammit.” Trent followed, cursing as he caught up. “Jasper’s going to kill me if you get hurt. Can you please stay back?”
“I’ll stop at the edge of the grass. How’s that?” I needed to see what was happening with my own eyes.
“I can see why he likes you so much.” He attempted a smile, but I could sense the worry underneath his grin.
I ducked down in the grass, my skin tingling with the sensation of bugs and other creepy things crawling all over me. Not wanting to find out if it was just my vivid imagination or if a variety of critters covered my skin, I shook my arms and tried to be quiet while I watched Davis and Mitchell edge toward the open barn door.
Mitchell moved fast, darting from the cover of the grass to press himself against the boards. He turned slightly, peeking into the barn. My pulse ticked up while I waited.
After what felt like eons, he scrambled across the gravel and squatted down next to us. “It’s bad. Jasper’s in there, along with about a dozen dogs, and a big group of huge assholes. I think we need to bring Bodie in on this. We can’t take ’em all, not by ourselves.”
“What do you mean Jasper’s in there with dogs?” I put a hand on Mitchell’s arm, drawing his attention.
“I’m sorry, you might not want to be here when this all goes down.” He cocked his head. “Davis, you want to take her back to the festival?”
“I’m not going anywhere until this is sorted out. Somebody better tell me what the hell’s going on before I head in there to see for myself.”
The brothers looked at one another, then shifted their eyes to the ground.
I had enough of everyone trying to protect me. I stood, hiked up the skirt of my long dress, and headed toward the barn. “Jasper Taylor! I know you’re in there.”
“Oh, shit!” Trent sprang from where he’d been hunkered down, wrapped his arms around me, and tried to pull me back.
“Let go of me.” I struggled against him, my elbow connecting with his gut. He let out anoof, and his arms fell away as he doubled over.
Two men came out of the barn. “Who’s there?”
I forged ahead, just one thought in my mind. I had to get to Jasper. He’d tell me what was going on.
Not even two minutes later I regretted my questionable act of bravery as I stepped into the light of the barn. Jasper stood in the middle of a ring of hay bales. Crates of dogs spread around the perimeter. The men around him stepped back, leaving him alone in the center.
