Page 98 of Scorched

Michael crouched over a bag and unzipped it. He glanced up and grinned. “We’re going to set some bombs.”

“You’re a sick, sadistic bastard.”

“Yeah?” Michael rose with two of the pipe bombs in his hands. He shoved one into Declan’s chest. “Well, you’re my brother, so what’s that say about you?”

“That I’m unfortunate. But I’m nothing like you.”

“You think Maggie’s going to think that? Especially after she learns you helped blow up her family’s ranch?”

Those same doubts he’d been fighting reared their heads. He shoved them back into their box. There was no way he was going to set bombs on the Broken Bow. Michael had checked in with Dad. He took a menacing step toward his brother.

Michael jumped back, waving the radio. “Nuh-uh-uh. He wants regular updates.”

Declan bared his teeth as he growled.

Michael laughed. “Let’s go.”

Biting his tongue, he followed. Michael turned on the bomb he held and set it near the interior door. Declan glanced at it and noted the remote detonator as well as the timer that still flashed zero.

“When you arm that, how much time do we have to get clear?”

“Five minutes.” He scooped up the duffels and walked out the back door of the garage.

They crept along the house, going down the line, setting bombs at the front and back doors of each house. With each successive one they set, Declan’s jaw clenched tighter. If Michael armed all these, he was going to have a hell of a time defusing them all before they blew.

“You realize all this is being caught on camera, right?” Declan pointed at the pole mounted outside Jace and Tara’s. A camera sat attached to it about halfway up.

Michael nodded. “I do now. I wasn’t aware there was so much security the first time I was here. But it doesn’t matter now. From what I can tell, it’s a passive system, so unless they’re staring at the monitors right this second, they don’t know we’re here. By the time they figure it out, Dad and I will be long gone.” He pushed Declan forward. “Keep moving.”

Seb’s house was last. Michael set bombs at the front and back doors, then ushered Declan toward the main house. They ran through the rain and darkness to reach the porch. Michael clomped up the steps and knocked.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“We need Lee. No better way to get him than through the front door.”

Declan groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. He needed to get Lee alone—to explain—but that was looking less and less likely. Michael had a plan, and Declan was just along for the ride.

The door swung open. Declan said a prayer of thanks that it was Lee and not Jenny who answered. He couldn’t fathom what Michael would do to her.

Lee stared at the young man with a frown, which turned curious when he saw Declan. “Declan. Did you find Maggie? And who’s this? He looks familiar.”

“Oh, he found her all right. Mr. Archer, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Michael James, Declan’s brother.”

Lee smiled and held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Were you with Declan when he heard Maggie was missing?”

“Not exactly.” Michael took Lee’s hand and yanked him outside.

“What the hell?” Lee exclaimed.

“I should mention I go by another name. You might be more familiar with it. Jameson Gehring.”

Lee’s eyes widened. He looked at Declan. “What’s going on?”

“No time for that. We have a schedule to keep. He’ll explain on the way.” Michael grabbed a handful of Lee’s shirt and dragged him off the porch.

“Let go of me! What the hell is going on? Declan?”

Despite his squirming, Michael kept a solid grip on Lee. With his other hand, he brought his radio up to tell Cole he had the eldest Archer, and they were on their way back.

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