Page 17 of The Edge of Intensity

“If you’re wishing for me to be a mare, I’d like you to be hung like a horse,” Cosima states.

Eastlynne rubs her temples and is now the one groaning. “Did I mention I’m not the only weirdo in the family? My sister doesn’t have a filter and apparently has no freaking shame.”

“In pain, sis,” Cosima grumbles. “I’m allowed to say these things. There are rules in place if people are in pain or close to dying.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re not dying and it might involve people on pain medication saying stupid shit,” Eastlynne snaps. “Or those with brain injuries. Hey, is one of her pupils blown?”

Parker chuckles. “No, that’s the first thing I checked.”

I notice movement outside of the window. “Doc and backup are here.”

Jogging to the door, I let the handful of brothers inside. Our club doctor instantly attends to Cosima. Eastlynne is standing close to keep an eye on her sister and I reach out to touch her arm.

Thankfully, she doesn’t jump away from my touch and actually steps close enough to bury her face against my chest. I wrap my arms around her and place a kiss on the top of her head. I feel the way she breathes me in and it’s heartwarming to know we’ve fully connected.

“I need to head out,” I regretfully tell her. “And I need for you to stay here and look after your sister.”

She tips her head back to stare at me. “What? Why?”

I jerk my chin in the direction of the stables. “They were after your horse. It’s safe to presume Erwin Desmond was behind this attack. He and his men are known for stealing horses.”

“We have brothers chasing down the herd that broke free from the pasture. I’ll head out and–”

“No,” I tell my VP, cutting him off. “I want you to stay here with my old lady. I’m going to take your bike and cross the pastures instead of taking the road. If I run into any of our cattle, we’ll bring them home.”

Parker nods and I direct my attention to the other brothers standing in the living room. “Walker, Luke, Silas, Elmore. You guys are with me. Alfie and Decker, stay with VP.”

Parker throws me his keys and I snatch them right out of the air. I tip my woman’s head back and kiss her in front of everyone. When we come up for air, I notice her pink cheeks and dazed look.

“Please stay safe,” she whispers.

“Same goes for you, darlin’,” I rumble and jog out the door.

My brothers follow and I straddle Parker’s dirt bike before firing it up. The rumble of bikes intensifies as I ride off around Eastlynne’s house. We all have experience when it comes to riding rough terrain and giving chase through the pastures.

Not only did we grow up at a ranch where we ride and breed horses and Longhorns, but we also love riding our motorcycles. We use both horses and bikes to herd cattle. Our livestock is used to it and it definitely gives us an advantage when it comes to riding hot blood, or cold steel.

I scan my surroundings, knowing the guy who attacked Cosima in the stables couldn’t have been alone. Which reminds me, I have some cleaning up to do since we have a dead body lying in Eastlynne’s stable.

At least the horses are safe. For now. I can’t begin to imagine what those fuckers will do to them if they do get their hands on any of our horses. Thank fuck Parker came over as soon as they found out about the herd breaking free.

Parker was right to assume it might be a diversion and he put some of the brothers on stakeout to guard our stables and pastures through the security cameras. Thank fuck we have a huge brotherhood with lots of people, both older and younger generations who can help out.

The experience of the older generation is comforting since they have been through their share of danger. This time, though? I’m the president and the responsibility lands on my shoulders. Not only that, but my old lady’s sister was hurt because of the club. Feeling guilty doesn’t do shit, however, getting revenge is rather soothing.

The burn of flesh being torn makes me hiss, and the sound of the gunshot catching up causes my body to jump into action. Instead of riding a straight line, I start to move to avoid being a sitting duck while I figure out where the gunshot came from.

Movement near a tree catches my attention and I point my bloody arm in that direction. I can see my brothers spreading out in that direction. Walker fires his gun, and I can see the man who was shooting at us take a hit.

He tries to grab the reins of his horse, but the animal is spooked and throws its head in the air. The roar of our bikes adds to the animal’s distress, clearly not used to it like our horses are and it staggers to break free.

We’re closing in on the fucker, but we’re too slow to prevent what he’s doing. Gunshots ring out and Walker manages to kill the fucker but not before the idiot shoots at his horse. I bring the bike to a stop and jump off.

Walker is already kicking the gun from the dead man’s hand while I try to calm down the injured and cornered horse. I keep my voice even and calm while muttering soothing words. He lets me take the reins and I get my first look at the flesh wound on his neck.

“There, there, boy. You’re going to be just fine,” I murmur and turn to Walker. “Text Parker to let him know I need him in Eastlynne’s stable. Have Decker bring his daughter up to speed about all this shit. There are going to be too many bodies to hide otherwise. Oh, and I need a few of you to check the property for our cattle, and there might be another horse from the dead fucker in Eastlynne’s stable.”

“You got it, Prez,” Walker rumbles.

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