Page 49 of Buck This
“And those obvious reasons would be the scandal that has gripped your industry today. Buck This Storme is being charged with his brother’s death in a horrific accident, is that correct? The reports are flooding in that Buck This Storme was driving drunk.”
“That’s correct.”
“And how did this come to your attention?”
Cobalt made a tick sound behind his teeth and shook his head once, faking somberness. “The bull riders all received an anonymous tip off late last night, and we met up at the request of the event. I’ve been unfortunately placed in charge of findingout the facts, and sent the police reports to you so the public can have a copy of the facts. Obviously, Buck This Storme can’t be allowed to buck tonight. I could understand a bar fight, or being late for an event or something, but murder? Drunk driving? Buck This Storme is a terrible example for anyone to look up to, and that’s what our industry is about. We are up on a pedestal and the way we behave reflects directly on our industry. This is not what we’re about.”
Buck’s mugshot flashed onto the screen as they trashed him. His eyes looked empty and haunted, and his face looked gaunt, like he was a corpse. His lips were thinned into a grim line, like he’d never smiled in his entire life.
“I knew something was off about him,” Cobalt said. “Everyone knew. I don’t know why he’s been allowed in this event at all. Everyone saw him go after those innocent bystanders in Albuquerque. He’s a killer.”
The video of Buck This Storme jumping the railing at a rodeo event and charging into the crowd played.
When the camera flashed back to Cobalt, Reece had lowered her gaze in the background and didn’t look up for the rest of Cobalt’s brief interview about how he felt being the number one bull shifter rider at not only the event, but in the world right now.
“Something isn’t right,” Torrey murmured in a shaking voice.
“Explain,” Raven said softly.
“This accident is two years old. I’ve seen the scar on his ribs. It’s long healed. He doesn’t even favor it. And if he was charged with murder, like Cobalt is preaching?” She turned to Raven. “Then why the hell is Buck walking free right now? Why isn’t he in prison? Cobalt had to have doctored the police reports he sent to this news station. Or at the very least, omitted the date on them. Listen. Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Raven asked.
“The police at the door?”
Raven shook her head.
“Because there are none. You think it would be difficult for police to find his RV? It’s got a license plate, facing the street, easy peasy to track down. Furthermore,” she said, jamming her finger at the television. “Cobalt is a liar.”
“About what?”
“One, he lied that he is a personal friend of Buck. They aren’t friends. Never were. And that anonymous text to all the bull-riders? Where did that come from?”
Raven said, “Good girl,” softly. “I could hear the lie in his voice as he talked about it.”
“He dug into Buck’s past looking for dirt, and twisted it, didn’t he? He did this.” Torrey was shaking with fury. “He had to make the big scandal right before the event. He had to find a way to get him kicked out of the competition.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a fucking prick. He’s a hater, and even worse? He’s fucking scared. He doesn’t want to draw Buck This. Not now that he’s in first place and has a chance at that purse. How much is on the line again?”
“A million dollars. The finalists will all ride tonight, and then at the end, it’s the best rider vs the best bull shifter. Winner of that ride takes home a million dollars. Second and third place get paid out too, but not like first. Not even close.”
And it all made so much sense. Cobalt was a rat who didn’t want to battle with Buck This Storme. Not with the growing hype around him.
She thought of Buck, and the weight this must’ve placed on his shoulders. He could barely talk about his brother, and now this? Those images splashed across the news. Everyone calling him a murderer.”
Torrey’s entire body was covered in chills as she texted Buck.
You’re okay. Everything is okay. Come back. We will figure this out.Send.
This was a test. She waited and waited for the text to go through, but it came back not deliverable. He’d done something to his phone, and she couldn’t reach him. Not like this.
Shit.
“I have to find him,” she whispered desperately.
“The boys are out looking. They will tell us the second they find him. Do you have a laptop?” Raven asked softly.
