Page 14 of Bravo

“The devil is rampant these days.” My father sighs. “But we already know who wins in the end, and until then, you’re standing right where you need to be. Between the innocent and the evil.” He drains his glass. “Any ideas when the next job will be?” he asks.

“No,” I reply. “Next up is Elliot, though. We’ll keep our ears to the ground, and as soon as something comes up, we’ll handle it. Just like we always do.” I let out a sigh and stand. “I’m exhausted, though. Think I’m going to turn in for the night. Come on, boy,” I call to Bravo, who jumps up from where he’s lying near my brother’s dogs. Riley’s dog, Romeo, lifts his head but places it back down when he realizes Riley isn’t going anywhere just yet.

“Sleep well, son. See you bright and early.”

“See you bright and early,” I reply with a smile then head for the door.

After slipping into my jacket, I step onto the porch. The moon is bright tonight, casting a soft glow over the rolling hillsjust outside my parent’s home. I breathe in the crisp, cold air and take just a moment to absorb the silence of the ranch.

This place is my heaven on earth. My refuge from the chaos I face every time I head down that driveway.

The moon is bright tonight, casting a soft glow over the barn straight ahead. Turning, I scan the landscape, pausing when I see the dim cabin lights where our employees live while they work here.

I can’t help but wonder if one of those lights belongs to Sammy.

Is she down there awake right now? Or sound asleep? What brought her here in the first place? Most of the time, our help comes from either those not wanting to settle down or those who are running from something. Which is she? I’m betting on the latter. There was heaviness in her eyes. A darkness one only gets when they’ve lived through trauma.

Even though I really should be getting home, I pass by the side-by-side I drove over earlier and head for the barn. Since my parents’ house is the heart of the ranch, the barn is only a short distance from their place.

I remember being a kid and sprinting as fast as I could across the distance, hoping to get there so I had at least a small chance of winning the hide-and-seek game my brothers and I played every chance we got. There are so many times I miss those days. When things were simple. When I hadn’t seen the corruption of the world and everything felt right.

The walk is something I know by heart and could do even with my eyes closed, though, thanks to the moon, I don’t have to. Gripping the large iron handle, I pull the sliding door aside enough that I can slip in. Trained well, Bravo walks just inside the door then sits down at the entrance, keeping his distance from the horses.

Most of the animals here won’t care either way, but since we have rescues come in occasionally, it made sense to train the dogs to know their place regardless of the horse. Then we never have to worry.

As if he can sense me, Rev sticks his large head over the gate and snorts in my direction.

“Hey, boy.” I smile then offer him my flattened hand so he can smell me. He leans into my touch, so I move in closer and run a hand over his massive head. “I missed you, too, buddy. How are you?” In response, he lifts his head and nuzzles my shoulder with his nose. “I’m glad. I’ll be by first thing in the morning. We’ll head out before the sun comes up, okay? Just like before.” After petting him on the head one final time, I secure the barn, climb into the side-by-side, and Bravo and I make our way back home where I will undoubtedly struggle to find rest, thanks to the memories still haunting me.

CHAPTER 5

KENNEDY

Morning comes far quicker than I would’ve liked, but as soon as my alarm goes off at four forty-five, I’m up and prepping a cup of hot coffee to drink out on the porch. As I step out, fully dressed and ready for the day, mug in hand, I breathe in the cold morning air and scan the horizon.

There are no lights on in the other cabins, though that’s not unusual given I’m always the first one out of bed. A strategic move since I’ve always needed at least thirty minutes of alone time in the morning in order to be fully awake.

Heaviness weighs on my thoughts as I recall the person I shared that particular need with is no longer breathing. I swallow hard.No time for those thoughts, I remind myself. One day, maybe. But not now. Not today.

A light flicks on in the barn, and I jump, trying to peer into the darkness.

A horse whinnies.

No one should be in the barn. Even the Hunts aren’t up and moving around the ranch for at least another hour. My heart begins to pound. Is it possible someone’s trying to steal the horses? Do people still do that?

I rush into the cabin and set my coffee down on the counter; then I grab my keys, lock up, and head up toward the barn. It’s more than likely someone is just getting an early start, right? Surely, no one would be foolish enough to try to steal anything belonging to the Hunt family…

But if I see something off and don’t go check it out, I won’t be able to forgive myself. So, still not quite awake, I try to quietly approach the barn, stepping carefully so I don’t alert whoever is inside to my presence.

If someone is just getting an early start, I’ll slip away and finish my coffee. And if it’s not—the gun at my back is cool against my skin, and while I hope to never use it, if someone is hurting these horses?—

A dog barks. A single alarm that has me stepping back in response.

A low growl emits, and a German shepherd walks out of the barn door, his gaze trained on me.

A Hunt brother.It has to be a Hunt brother. They all have working dogs. And given that I’ve never seen this particular dog, that must mean—before I can fully register it, Bradyn Hunt steps from the barn, a flashlight in his hand. He aims it at me, and the expression on his face relaxes. “Halt,” he orders.

The dog immediately quiets.

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