Page 56 of Branded Betrayal

Brothers. We were brothers.

“Fuck,” I whisper, bringing my hands to my face. I think of Liam’s young wife and baby daughter a lot, how their lives are forever changed because of what happened.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I grab it, tempted to hurl it into a tree when I see Wilkerson’s name flash across my screen. He’s probably gonna bust my balls about why the place isn’t falling down around her right now.

I finally stab the Accept button. “Yeah?”

“Blaze, I need you to come out to my place in Oak Ridge. Now.”

“I’m just about to head home. Been a long day.” I straighten up, gazing up at Savannah’s bedroom window. At least she’s safely tucked away up there.

“It’s not optional. Your father and Colton are here, as are a few of my other associates. I want you here too.”

“Look, we already agreed that I was done once my work at Red Rock is finished. The debt is paid. Whatever ‘business’ you’ve got with my dad and Colt doesn’t involve me. I’m doing what you want. There’s no reason for me to be there tonight. I’m not one of your fucking lackeys. Not anymore.”

“The fact that I have you by your throat right now is a clear indicator that you’re still my lackey. And you’ll do what I say, or once you leave your night watchman post, I’ll make sure your girlfriend is violated six ways from Sunday. Are we clear?”

My fingers grip the phone tight. There’s nobody here. He can’t know where I am right now.

I should do the world a favor and bring my rifle as a plus-one tonight, then blow his fucking head off.

“Fine,” I say, teeth clenched tight. “I’m on my way.” I end the call and stuff my phone back into my pocket, stalking to my truck.

Oak Ridge is about a twenty-minute drive from Whiskey Creek.

His estate is large and sprawling with an entry gate and a driveway that feels about five miles long. I drive past a barn, silos, and fenced-in pastures before the main house even comes into view. A group of trucks is parked outside. My stomach knots when I see Dad’s F-350.

I’ve managed to avoid him over the past few days by working alongside our ranch hands, starting early and ending late. But there’s no avoiding him tonight. Even the sight of him makes my blood boil.

Squaring my shoulders, I walk to the front door and stab the doorbell.

Wilkerson answers. He pulls open the door with one hand, a glass in his other. “Blaze, so glad you could join us.”

Colt’s head pops up when I walk in behind Wilkerson, his face draining of all color. His lips pull into a tight line, white-hot daggers shooting from his eyes. My father doesn’t bother with a greeting, just scoffs when he sees me step into the dining room.

“. . . my other son . . . don’t know why he’s here . . . Colton will be Wilkerson’s contact . . .”

I grit my teeth, pretending not to hear my father’s muttered words to the guy on his right as I sweep my eyes over the faces staring back at me. I don’t recognize any of them, but then again, I’ve been out of this game for years. And Wilkerson’s organization has a pretty big turnover.

Wilkerson hands me a drink and motions for me to sit down. Right next to him.

Colt’s glare practically burns a hole into me, but it’s not like I have a choice. I’d rather shove a fire poker into my eye than be this close to Wilkerson, but right now, my life isn’t my own. It’s his. And I need to play his game.

There’s a lot of talk about problem properties and distribution networks. Shit that sounds vague if you don’t know to read between the lines.

“We’re expanding distribution routes through the northern corridor. But we need reliable transport,” Wilkerson says.

Dad pipes in. “What about using propane-delivery routes? Easy to fly under the radar.”

My lips twist like I just tasted shit. Last time we tried to leverage a propane-delivery company as a distribution network, Savvie’s parents and uncle were killed.

“Idaho connection has been pretty reliable,” another associate says. “We can leverage that first.”

Wilkerson eyes me for a long minute. “Meet me in my office in a few minutes. End of the hall to the right.”

I shove the chair back and stand up. Nobody notices because they’re all too busy kissing the ring. I leave the dining room and head toward the hallway off the dining room. The dark wood makes me feel like the walls are closing in on me, like there’s nowhere for me to run and hide because he will always find me.

Even overseas, he knew exactly where I was at all times.