Page 77 of Branded Betrayal

“I’ll be here for you, Wy. I won’t leave you again.” A deep sigh quakes my shoulders. “You may hate me now, but I’m not going anywhere. And I’ll make sure you never feel abandoned. I’m . . . I’m so fucking sorry. You were just a kid. I knew better. But I . . . I fucked up. In so many ways.”

A light knock on the door makes my head jerk.

A pretty blond nurse walks into the room, holding a clipboard. “Hi, I’m Allie. I’ll be Wyatt’s nurse tonight.”

“Nice to meet you, Allie. I’m Blaze.” I turn to look at Wyatt. “How long do you expect he’ll be out for?”

Allie walks around and checks the readings on the machines. “Well, he’s been out of surgery for about an hour. He was pretty heavily sedated for the procedure, so I think he’ll probably sleep for the next few hours, maybe wake up around dinnertime.”

I stand up from the chair. “Okay. I’ll be back later. My dad and other brother will come up in a little while.”

She nods, a smile lifting her lips. “We’ll take good care of him, so don’t you worry, okay?”

The lump in my throat practically stifles my ability to draw in oxygen.

“I appreciate that.” I back away from the bed and duck out the door, leaving Allie to check Wyatt’s vitals while he sleeps.

I take the elevator to the lobby and storm out the hospital door. I need information about that accident. Someone on the circuit must know something. I stop and am pulling out my phone when a male voice interrupts my plans.

“Excuse me,” he says. “You’re Wyatt Hartman’s brother, aren’t you?”

My eyes narrow. “How did you know that?”

“My name’s Kenny. I’m a friend of his,” he says, taking his hat off. “I figured I’d take a shot since he looks exactly like you. I know I’m not family, but I was hoping to see how he’s doing.”

“Not good,” I say in a tight voice. “Were you there today? Did you see anything?”

Kenny shakes his head. “Nah, I didn’t see anything, but the bull was goin’ nuts before he got into the chute. He was jerkin’ around like he was panicked. More aggressive than usual, but that can happen. The weird thing is that the bull didn’t calm down after the ride. Everyone was sayin’ how something was off with it. Got spooked, maybe. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse.”

Cold dread surges from my stomach. “Do you know what could have happened? Was there someone with the bull who shouldn’t have been there before Wyatt’s ride?”

Kenny shrugs. “I honestly don’t know. I didn’t see or hear anything. It’s all just real strange.”

“Thanks for coming. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” I nod toward the door. “My brother and father are in there. Wyatt’s in ICU now. He’ll probably be awake in a few hours.”

“I’ll be prayin’ for him,” Kenny says, moving past me into the hospital.

So many thoughts pop between my ears like bullets. I’d bet my left nut there was foul play of some kind. And I think I know the motherfucker responsible.

I shoot off a quick text to Colt.

Was just in with Wyatt. He’ll be sleeping for the next few hours. Go on up with Dad. I’ll be back later. Got something to take care of.

Colt’s response is abrupt.

Ok.

Nothing else. Like I’m a stranger in my own family.

And ironically, it’s all my father’s doing.

I head to the parking lot and jump into my truck because someone is going to fucking pay.

Rage rumbles in my chest the entire way to Wilkerson’s building on the edge of town. I park and storm into the place. I ignore the girl sitting at the reception desk, walking straight past her without so much as a glance.

She springs up from her chair. “Excuse me. Mr. Wilkerson is in an important meeting. You can’t just—”

I slowly turn, narrowing my eyes at her. “I can. And I am.”