Page 3 of Red's Revenge

“Well, no need to strip. It can’t be that serious.” I start opening the envelope when my younger brother starts cursing.

“After I read the email, I went down to the county planning board and did some digging. You’ll never imagine what I found.” He paces with his hands on his hips as he waits on me.

Has he always been such a drama queen, or did that happen after he passed the LSAT?

“How fucking long have you known about this highway bullshit?” I shrug at him as I pull out a set of blueprints.

It’s the highway proposal with a big red stamp on it that reads APPROVED with a date under it. Frowning, I look at the calendar.

“Um, Colt?” He’s still screaming at me about being irresponsible and ignoring important shit.

“COLTON! How can this be approved if the Planning Board meeting hasn’t happened yet?” I lay the blueprints down and tap the date.

It’s posted for three days from now. Those arrogant motherfuckers think they’ve won, but they’ll only get my family land when we’re all cold and dead in it. They’ve gone way too far this time.

When Pa warned me that our Ranch would always be a target, he wasn’t kidding.

No one wants to do anything the honest way, son.

“What?” He reaches for the papers and curses under his breath.

I knew our town council was fucking dirty, but this is going to cost them dearly.

“Those stupid fucking idiots.” He pulls out his phone and starts to pace.

“Cheryl, draw up paperwork,” he gives her instructions while I look at the blueprint closer.

A name my family is very familiar with pops out under the company listed as project management. Jeremiah Danders, CEO.

“I’m filing an injunction with Judge Rems,” I hold my hand up to stop him.

“The Danders are behind this.” I turn the papers around and shove them at Colton.

I grab my jacket off the coat rack and palm the keys to my truck.

“RED! Where are you going?” He calls after me, but I ignore him.

“Jean, hold my calls. Close up, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She arches a brow as she pops her gum.

“You sure about that? You look like you’re aiming to misbehave.” I chuckle at how well she knows me.

“Always.”

My phone rings as I start the truck. I answer without looking at the screen as I maneuver my way out of the parking lot and onto the dirt road that connects the Ranch and my parents’ house.

“I hear the Danders need a reminder not to fuck with our family.” I smile at the tone of Clayton’s voice.

“Good news seems to travel fast.” He chuckles as I park the truck in the garage.

“I just pulled up at the house. I’m grabbing Bertha and heading out.” Clay grunts and hangs up.

Of all my brothers, Clayton has been dubbed our mild problem child and, according to Ma, the most reckless of the Justice children, he is well aware of where I’m planning to go. And since he owns the place unless someone calls the cops,which is rare at a biker bar, I can get away with damn near anything.

Including murder, but I doubt it’d come to that.

Ma is in the kitchen stirring a pot when I walk in, and my stomach grumbles at the smell of chili and cornbread, which I spy sitting on the counter cooling.

“You look like a man on a mission. I’ve been cooking all evening, don’t go spending it in lock up. I will not save you any.” I kiss her cheek as I pass by to grab my trusted baseball bat, Bertha, off the display in the living room.

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