Page 96 of Bourbon and Proof

My phone buzzes again.

JIMMY DUGAN

He’s gone. Took my gun. Knocked me out. Just called it in.

From behind me, I hear someone say, “This isn’t a part of our deal.”

But before the words and who they belong to register, a blunt object hits the back of my head, knocking me forward. And then again. My knees collide with the concrete. Shooting pain erupts up my legs, and then along the side of my face.

“I don’t have a choice,” a deep voice says as I try to stand. But another blow to the back of my head keeps me down this time.

Chapter 39

Hadley

“Lady Brittany Christina Pink,I know it’s been a long day for you. Daddy just went to go get the keys,” I say as I walk up to the open side of the trailer. She sniffs out and kicks the side of the trailer again, like she’s agitated. It’s out of character for her; she doesn’t usually mind her trailer. I peek in and see her white mane, tall stature, ears flicking toward my voice. “You’re my very best girl, but don’t tell Fergie I said that,” I say, and then click my tongue.

But then, a whirring sound startles me. I take a step back from the trailer, and the sound of the truck trying to start without the engine turning over happens again. I didn’t see or hear Ace come back this way yet.

“You technically do not own this horse, pumpkin,” a voice says as the driver’s side door creaks open. I know that low, slow Kentucky drawl better than anyone, and it makes my hackles rise, forcing me to immediately raise my defenses.He shouldn't be here.

My father slams the door shut and stalks closer to me. I feel around in my pocket for my phone, but my hands are shaking as I try to press the side buttons and swipe blindly for the emergency alert. He looks thinner, his hair slightly longer than how he kept it all my life, and it’s the least polished I’ve ever seen him.

“As promised, pumpkin, I’m going to take what’s mine,” he says, holding up a gun and pointing it at me.

My body tenses at the threat, nerves making me shiver as I stagger back.

“Wasn’t referrin’ to you. You proved you’re fuckin’ worthless to me. Thought I’d help myself to this thoroughbred, but the truck doesn’t seem to be cooperating. So I’ll settle for what you took from me.”

Tears start falling, and my throat feels like it’s closing. There isn’t an ounce of love left in my bones for him.

I hear Ace call out my name over the pounding in my ears, but I can’t see him on this side of the trailer.

“Don’t do that.” My father tsks. Waving his gun in my face, he says, “Perhaps he just needs a little bit of motivation.”

I try to think of what I could possibly say that’ll shake him. “Leave him out of this—” But my plea gets cut off when a loud boom sounds out from behind us, followed by a massive wave of heat. My body flies forward, hands hitting the pavement first, then my chest just barely stopping my face from colliding with the gravel. Before I can put together what’s happening, I hear, “HADLEY!” That’s Ace again. And that scream is one of distress.

A response to my husband dies in my throat as I’m shoved back down, and this time, my face hits so hard that it slaps against the surface, and with it comes a biting burn that has me cursing.

With his foot pressed into my back, my father grits out, “You stay right there.”

“HADLEY!” Ace shouts from what sounds closer, but not close enough to see me.

Glass bursts and shards rain down on the pavement, a handful reaching where I’m flat out and face down.

“The truck won’t start,” my father says. “I’m leaving the horse. Come get me.” He pauses, then adds, “You’re done when I say. We have a new deal now.”

I move my head to the side to look at him. He seems in control and calculating, despite the chaos around us. With a phone in his hand, he continues in a biting tone. “Get him in your truck and get here.Now, or I promise, Iwillkill your brother.”

With my thoughts racing, I try to make out what he’s saying or who he’s even talking to.

I steady my voice the best I can. “FBI and Fiasco PD are probably already looking?—”

His foot and full weight push into me as he leans in, making it difficult to breathe, and seethes, “Fiasco PD and Fire have their hands full. Nobody’s looking for me, Hadley. Now do what you're told for once in your pathetic life and be quiet.”

His words make my eyes water as anger rages within me. I’m shaking from getting slammed against the ground and literally stepped on. Swallowing my panic, I focus only on the anger.I will not let him do this.

The brakes of a truck squeal to a stop next to us, and a false sense of relief hits me as I glance up enough to see a red stripe along the side of the cab. The big, bold letters that read: Fiasco Fire Rescue, and below that: Fire Chief.

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