Page 120 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘I want you to go and sit with Charlie,’ Dex whispered to Sophie.

She grabbed his arm. ‘Where are you going?’

‘I’m going to follow them. I’m not letting Hank and Marla leave with our cattle, especially not after you risked yourself like this. Go sit with Charlie.’

‘But—’

‘Go. You’ll be safe there.’ Dex pushed her tenderly towards the lights. ‘Keep the ice on your face.’

Satisfied that she’d headed for Charlie, Dex dashed between the parked vehicles to chase after the arguing couple, who led him deeper to the edge of the paddock where a large shadow towered just before the trees. It was the truck, highlighted by a small camping lantern.

‘This whole fight meet is a bust. No one wants the cattle.’ Stocky Joe swaggered over to meet the couple, where he’d been leaning against the cab of the truck. ‘What the hell did you do to my sister?’ Joe used the lantern to highlight Marla’s face. It was a shocker.

‘Nothing,’ replied Hank, rummaging around the esky for a beer and cracking open a can. ‘Marla was the one who hopped in the arena to take on some blonde. Not me.’

‘Did you kick her arse?’ Joe checked over his sister’s face, while Hank drank his beer like a prince.

‘I lost. She was possessed or something,’ whined out Marla. ‘Can we go now?’

‘We should have left as soon as Leo told me the cattle station owners were here,’ said Hank.

‘Why didn’t we?’

‘I was waiting for Marla to get her face beaten up.’ Hank shookhis head at Marla.

‘Can you drive, Sis?’

‘No. My face hurts and I’m getting a black eye. Is there any ice left in the cooler? Or did you leave the lid off again and let it melt?’ She scowled at Hank before rummaging through the beer cooler for some ice.

Sneaking through the dry grasses, Dex moved closer, to pause and listen. It was the stockman’s tune, cattle lowing from the back of the truck.

It was his cattle!

Dex was about to make a move when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

‘Shh.’ It was Ryder.

‘Why hasn’t Finn arrested them yet?’ Dex whispered to his brother.

‘Finn is waiting for them to get inside the truck.’

Dex couldn’t see anyone this far into the paddock, only the arena’s lights shining like a mini city in the distance. ‘Where’s Bree?’

‘With Finn. Why are you here?’

‘The fight got delayed, just like you wanted.’

‘How?’

‘Sophie picked a fight with Marla.’

‘No way.’ Ryder arched an eyebrow.

‘Sophie won, too. I’ve never been prouder. She was hot.’ Dex couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

‘Sicko,’ mumbled Ryder, but the grin was there as they crouched low among the dried grasses. ‘Come on, get in there you arseholes.’ All they could do was wait and watch the trio of morons less than twenty metres away.

‘You know what, I’ll drive.’ Hank snatched the truck keys from Joe.

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