Page 107 of Branded Betrayal

But deep down, I knew I wouldn’t find her here.

The problem is, I have no idea where to look next.

“What happened when Savannah was up here?” I look at Wyatt. “Did she say anything?”

“She came in here spewing out a lot of accusations. Mentioned Dad was doing a lot of bad shit and got you involved with it, that he was involved in the explosion years back, how it was his fault her parents died. Then Dad pulled her outside to talk about something,” Wyatt says in a terse voice. “He disappeared after that. Neither of them has come back. B, what the fuck is going on?”

“He pulled her aside?” I pace the length of the room. “Fuck.”

“What the hell is your problem?” Colt says as he strides into the room and settles into a chair. “You got your ass in a twist over Savvie Carlson again?”

I lance him with a glare. “You smug fucking asshole. Do you even know what the hell is happening right under your nose? You think money and power are everything and that you can get it by sitting on your ass and rubbing elbows with the guys at the big boys’ table. But you don’t know shit about the business you think you’re running. You don’t know how you got your position or why.” My pulse rockets, nearly punching a hole in my throat.

Colt scoffs. “So fucking dramatic. I’ve got things under control. I don’t need you nosing into our business dealings. Find trouble somewhere else.”

“You don’t know anything,” I seethe. “You just sit there on your damn high horse, looking down on everyone around you. You never had to do the dirty work, did you? Never had to handle any of the shit.”

“I have to handle you, don’t I?” he asks, a nasty smirk turning up his lips.

I give him a hard shove backward. “Do you know anything about what’s happening behind the scenes with Wilkerson’s jobs or what kind of criminals Dad’s in bed with?”

“I know enough.” Colt’s nostrils flare, teeth bared like he’d love nothing more than to chew me up and spit me out. “Wilkerson has helped us out a lot, using our network and resources in exchange for cash. Dad’s business has grown and expanded because of him.”

“Trust me, you have no idea what his ‘business relationship’ with Dad is.” I stare at him for a long minute. Then I look over at Wyatt. Christ, I wanted so badly to protect them all those years ago. They were too young to be dragged into my father’s bad decisions. When Mom died, everything spiraled, and I was the only one who could hold shit together. I tried so damn hard to control things I couldn’t, to keep my brothers safe from the reality my father plunged us into.

But things are about to come crashing down around us. And keeping them in the dark puts them in the same danger me and Savvie are in right now.

“I don’t believe Wyatt’s accident was an accident,” I say.

Colt throws his hands into the air. “Are you fucking kidding me? What makes you the expert in bull riding?”

“It didn’t happen when he was riding the bull.” I look over at Wyatt. “A friend of yours showed up the day of the accident to check on you. I talked to him. He said something wasn’t right with that bull, that it was out of control before it even went into the chute. Everyone there agreed. I think someone might have done something to that bull to make it go nuts on Wy. Not to kill him but to hurt him. Bad. As a message.”

Colt doesn’t bother to stifle a snort. “You’re fucking paranoid, Blaze. Nobody thought foul play was involved.”

“But what if it was?” I ask, my voice low. “And what if I told you that since I’ve been back here in Whiskey Creek, a local crime boss has been threatening me to do work for him or else?”

“B, what are you sayin’?” Wyatt asks. “What crime boss? And why would he come for you?”

I take in a deep breath. “What I’m about to tell you is gonna be hard to hear. But it’s time you knew the truth and how it all links to Savvie, Nash, and you guys.”

“I don’t want to hear any of your bullshit,” Colt bites out. “You’re jealous that Dad would rather have me working by his side. So save your theories. We don’t need to hear them.”

“Colt, shut the hell up,” Wyatt growls. “If you don’t wanna hear, then piss off. But I’m tired of being kept in the dark. Tell us what you know, B.”

“After Mom died, Dad got caught up with some shady people. Led by Jack Wilkerson.”

Colt’s eyebrows fly up when I mention his name.

“Dad made some bad decisions and ran up a shit ton of gambling debts. Wilkerson agreed to lend him the money he needed if I came to work for him. Wilkerson had me running jobs, transporting drugs, smuggling shit. Wilkerson threatened to hurt Dad and you guys if I tried to get out from his organization. I had no choice.”

“Fuck.” Wyatt breathes out.

“Yeah,” I say. “I worked under him for years, and Dad continued to sink deeper into his black hole. Wilkerson had us both by the balls. He had Dad approach the Carlsons with a deal to make some fast cash. Told them we’d all make a windfall if they let Wilkerson use their propane-transport distribution trucks.” I pause, my eyes tangling with Colt’s.

“Wait,” Colt says. “So the night of the explosion—”

“Yes,” I say, cutting him off. “That night. It was Wilkerson’s job. A rival crew caught wind of it and ambushed it. Nash was there by himself. There was a firefight. A couple of propane tanks were hit by the gunfire and exploded. You know the rest.”