Page 90 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

Penny’s mouth opened, probably to argue, but then she saw the look on my face. She swallowed hard, her big brown eyes going impossibly wide as she instinctively rubbed her belly.

“Okay. I understand,” she said softly. “But please, be careful.”

“Shit, Av. Max and Dante are going to kill me,” Kian muttered, his hands raking through his blond hair as if he could pull the stress right out of his scalp.

“No, they won’t,” I said firmly, pulling my coat on and zipping it up in one swift motion.

“You stay here, watch over Rosie and Penny, and make sure everything runs smoothly. I’ll be right back.”

There was no room for argument in my voice, and I didn’t wait for one, turning toward the door with more grit and determination than I’d ever felt in my life.

But then I stopped.

“Wait, Kian?” I called over my shoulder.

“Yeah?” he replied, his tone wary, like he already knew what I was about to ask.

“Where is he? What do you know?”

Kian hesitated, his jaw tightening, as he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot. “I shouldn’t tell you,” he said, his voice low and uncertain.

I whirled around, planting my hands on my hips and glaring at him with every ounce of stubbornness I could muster. “You really gonna waste my time and make me wander around while something’s wrong? While Dante might need me?”

His shoulders sagged as he let out a string of curses under his breath. “Nah. Shit. Fine. A couple of Bears from his old Clan are here. They issued a challenge, Av.”

“Is that bad?”

“It’s not good. They’re in the empty bull pen. The one out by the far pasture.”

I nodded, already moving toward the side door where the 4-wheelers were parked.

“Take the back trail,” Kian added, following close behind and shoving a set of keys into my hand.

“It’ll get you there faster, and no one’ll see you from that path.”

“Got it,” I said, gripping the keys tightly.

I’d become pretty familiar with the ranch over the last few months, since Penny had moved in. With the way Rosie loved to explore, it was no wonder.

But I wasn’t going out for a pleasure walk. The winter wind whipped through me, but I hardly felt it.

Dante was in danger, and I had to help him.

“And Avery,” Kian growled, his voice suddenly serious, his blue eyes locking onto mine.

“What?”

“Don’t you dare get hurt. If you do, your mate really will kick my ass.”

I smirked despite the tension in my chest.

“Noted.”

I didn’t wait for another word, bolting for the 4-wheeler and starting it up with a determined twist of the key. The engine roared to life, and as I sped toward the back trail, my mind was already racing ahead, focused on one thing.

Dante.

Chapter Twenty-Eight-Dante

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