Page 4 of Vicious Sabotage

“Country girls are a breed of their own, at least around these parts.” Colton sent a look toward the house.

In the few hours since Carver stepped foot on the Gracey Ranch, he saw for himself that their buddy Forest hadn’t been exaggerating when he told him that his father had been fucking things up in Montana.

“Sounds like you guys are in a world of shit. What do you need me to do?”

Hunter and Colton traded a look.

Colton spoke first. “We need someone at the saloon to protect the owner. Her name’s Livia, and she owns Badlands.”

Hunter gripped Carver by the shoulder. “Your timing is as impeccable as always, Wolfman. Once again, you’ve lived up to your reputation. How many times did you come out of nowhere and save one of us?”

His own burning torment ripped through his chest. Not often enough.

His one regret was that he couldn’t save them all. So many friends lost. Men with mommas at home, devasted by the news that their sons died, even as heroes.

At least he could keep telling himself the part about their being heroes. Operation Nicklaus was the worst screw-up Carver ever had the misfortune to be a part of.

How many times had he asked himself, if he had to do it again, would he join the fight or run for it? Without question he had gained a new nightmare every night, but not even that would stop him from leading his men during the strike.

Someone had to look out for them—same as his reason for being here now.

Instead of responding to the question, he directed one of his own at Hunter. “I see they saved the leg.”

With a nod, Hunter rubbed his palm over his thigh absently, a faraway expression in his eyes. “You’re perfect for this job. You’re new in town. Nobody knows you, and you don’t have any ties to the ranch.”

He cocked a brow. “I understand the woman needs a bodyguard, but are you sure that’s a good call? I might be of better use to you here.”

Hunter cleared his throat and shot another glance toward the house. If Carver had to guess, his brother-in-arms was itchy to return to Forest’s little sister, Ivy.

Carver took in his surroundings. Too many outbuildings dotted the ranch. Too many places to hide. Without more men, they didn’t stand a chance of securing the ranch. They all knew too well that it only took one armed man hiding in a building and everyone was dead.

Hunter swung his attention to Carver. “Believe me, Wolfman, we could use your skills here. But we can’t keep watch over the bar too, and Livia’s plastered a target on her back by getting involved.”

A sudden idea floated to the surface of his mind. “Three of us are already here. Why not send for more of the team?”

The guys stared at him with blank looks.

“Call Ledger.”

Their buddy had been with them in every battle damn near since the beginning. Through thick and thin, Ledger was their guy. Last Carver knew, though, he took off to the mountains of California and nobody had heard from him in months.

Colton steeled his spine. “Think he’ll come?”

“Ledger sticks to himself, but he’s always got our six.”

The guys nodded.

“Give me the coordinates and I’ll head to this bar. Good thing I haven’t unpacked yet.”

Colton compressed his lips. “Livia is strong, but she’s stubborn too. Her only worry is for her friends—Forest’s sisters. She didn’t believe me when I told her that the trouble is headed for her and won’t just stick to the Gracey.”

The guys spoke of the ranch with an undertone of fondness that he’d never heard from them before. From what Forest had shared with him, Carver knew it was a special place—but he got the feeling that the rancher’s daughters had more to do with Colton and Hunter’s ties to the place.

In minutes, he was in his truck, following the long, winding road that circled the mountain and led to a small town called Eden. When he pulled into the packed parking lot of Badlands, he let out a groan.

His buddies weren’t kidding when they said that Livia was stubborn. The woman hadn’t even closed the bar. The parking lot was full, which meant the inside was packed with people who could attack her any moment.

Grabbing his duffel, Carver set off across the parking lot of Badlands Bar and Distillery. Before he ever reached the front door, loud music reached him.

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