Page 56 of Legacy of Danger
"Isn't it time for you to leave and go back to the ranch?"
His brother's smile drooped. "You bet it is. I want to find whatever the hell you all saw out there last night. Garrison texted me a few details."
Vaughn lowered his face in his hands and scrubbed, trying to get the image of that evil creature out of his mind. Didn't work. "Same thing we saw with Shelby and Eric."
"Shit." He sat straight up. "How'd you stop it?"
"Garrison shot at it with a 12-gauge, and my power did something wacky and attacked it." His head still ached from the effort, and Vaughn's hearing had only this morning returned to normal.
"Really? That's weird. But it sounds like a good start to me."
"We didn't destroy it, though. That fucking thing is still out there. I'll be damned if it gets close to my family again." He leaned forward, anything but relaxed.
Kerr took a big breath and steepled his fingers. Uh oh. "First of all, way to go with making up for lost time, with that 'being there for the family' shtick." He held up a hand. "Second of all, you're not going out there half-cocked. God knows what that thing will do to you. Therefore, I'll go with you, as we discussed before."
"When?"
"As soon as we get Shelby and Eric safe and settled. Then you and I will go on a nasty-critter hunt."
"Garrison?"
"The less he knows, the better. While he'll probably be on board with the concept, Mr. Play It Safe won't like the risk."
"Guess that creature out there explains why our dogs are gone."
"Yeah, they disappeared a little over a month ago. We figured they ran off or coyotes got to them. But now...?"
"Understood." Vaughn rolled his neck, making it pop. "What do we do in the meantime?"
Kerr shifted on the vinyl couch, the material creaking under his back. "I recommend you get an appointment with a certain medical provider. You might need some treatment for whatever condition you have."
"Man, come on now." Damn his brother, but the idea had merit. Or trying again for that bagel and a coffee. He could keep his baggage well hidden for a brief not-date. Make sure the outing stayed light and breezy. What the fuck? Did the phrase "light and breezy" actually go through his mind? Christ.
A hand waved in front of his face. "Earth to knuckle dragger. You still in there?"
"Fine."
"Uh, that wasn't the answer to my question."
"Has anyone mentioned how annoying you can be?"
"It's a gift." Kerr leaned back again and crossed his arms over his chest. What Vaughn wouldn't give to knock that stupid grin off his kid brother's face. "Go on, now. Go to the ranch, do chores, punch stuff, continue not eating." He waggled his fingers. "Whatever you people like to do."
The growl burst out of his lips. "Jesus Christ."
"Most folks call me by my nickname, JC."
Vaughn shoved out of the chair and backed away. Leg or no leg, Kerr had pushed Vaughn's last button. If Vaughn didn't exit soon, his next action would be fratricide.
"Toodles!" Kerr winked.
