Page 193 of Burn the Wild

“No. They want to corral us like cattle because we’re the weaker sex.”

Ruby, curled up in a blanket on the couch, chirps, “I guarantee none of them can ride a bull like you.”

Fallon smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

A rush of wind whips through the open doors, scattering napkins, and I jump off the couch, hurrying to close them. Before I do, something catches my attention and I gasp. “Oh my God.”

“What?” Dakota asks.

“Do you hear that?” I listen closely. There, coming from outside, the faintest of meows. “It’s Mouse.” I look over my shoulder at the women. “I’m going to get her.”

“Reese,” Dakota says, lifting Duke in her arms. “I don’t think—”

“I’ll be fast. Promise.” I grab a flashlight from a side table and slip out the door. I take the steps two at a time down to the grass, calling for Mouse.

I have to find her for Ford. Ever since she went missing, he’s been a mess.

“Mouse? Here, kitty, kitty.” Rain mists over my body, soaking my sweatshirt, and I shiver. Thunder rumbles across the sky. Another lonesome mewl.

“Here, kitty, kitty. Please come here.”

I keep close to the house, then move beneath the deck. Even with the bright beam of the flashlight, I have to squint to see.

That’s when I feel it. Eyes on me. I straighten up, turning to face the darkness. It’s the strange prickling sensation I’ve had all summer. Like I’m being watched.

Another meow.

I wave the flashlight over the grass.

Relief floods through me when I see Mouse and her little pink collar. She stands in the flashlight’s glow blinking those big green eyes.

“Oh, thank God, you little—”

“Reese.” Barely a hiss of a whisper, but I hear it.

Close. Too close.

Before I can run, I’m grabbed roughly from behind. I fall backward against a body. A hand clamps over my mouth, and a sharp stinging sensation pricks my elbow.

Looking around in confusion, I struggle, reaching behind me to claw at my attacker. But the surrounding air is heavy, darker than it was minutes ago.

My arms fall limply to my sides. I let out a desperate, muffled cry. “No, no, please…”

A whisper in my ear, “Just go to sleep. Go to sleep, my shiny little shooting star.”

I can’t even scream.

I’m just falling.

Into blackness.

Wyatt and I trek through the wind and the howling rain. Trudging through the thick, high grass is like wading in water. Flashlights bob in our hands. The two-way radio hooked to the side of my hip crackles.

“What are we gonna do if someone’s there?” he asks.

“Kick their ass,” I say. “Then move them closer to the house. It’s a liability for the ranch if they’re out here alone.” Once a year, we always have a guest who gets ballsy and tries to overstay their welcome on the property.

The search of the first three chalets turned up empty. If this last one is clear, then it’s just bad bookkeeping, which is fine by me. Makes my life easier. All I want to do is get back to Reese. Christ, the ache I have when I’m not near that girl is almost embarrassing. But I’ll take it. Every damn day for the test of my life.

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