Page 129 of Perfect Cowboy

But it’s unnatural, that’s for sure. One of the animals is… screaming.

In any other instance, I’d call Cameron to help me figure out what was going on. But there’s no one for me to call now.

“I’m going to check,” I decide.

“No,” Bobby says sharply. “Call Henry.”

“No time.”

I rush to the gun safe and stuff a Glock in the back of my jeans, and then wrap my hand around a rifle that I hold onto as I rush toward the door.

“Keep the phone on,” Bobby replies, knowing he won’t stop me. “I need to know what’s happening at all times. Savanna! Call my parents right now and get them to call the police. Tell them to stay in the house no matter what they hear.”

I want to tell him that he’s overreacting. An animal could have gotten hurt or something else with a totally reasonable explanation could have occurred.

But with everything else going on, I’d rather Henry make an unnecessary house call than delay calling for reinforcements.

“Who did you tell about the security company coming tomorrow morning?” I demand, yanking my boots on.

In other words, who knew that tonight would be their last shot?

“Oh, fuck,” Bobby groans. “I texted Cameron. This was before I suspected anything. I just wanted to keep him in the loop and–”

“It’s okay,” I reply, turning the phone on speaker and stuffing it into my pocket. “You didn’t know.”

“Gavin?” Ashley is standing in the bedroom doorframe, her blond hair in a halo around her head. “What’s happening? And why am I always asking you that question?”

I grab another rifle and put it in her hands. “Stay here. And shoot anyone who comes through the door who isn’t me or my parents. Got it? Do not follow me. Ashley. Do. Not. Follow. Me.”

“But–”

“I love you. Now fucking do what I say, lock the door behind me, and don’t leave this house. Call my Mom and stay on the line with her. Put it on speakerphone and keep your hands free. You won’t hit someone’s head, so aim for their chest. Just shoot them and take them down in any possible way.”

“Gavin! Oh, God. Please come back to me! Don’t die!” she screams.

“Don’t plan on it.”

And then I start running, slamming the door behind me.

Bobby’s voice is grainy and unclear coming from my pocket, but it’s an odd sense of comfort knowing that he’s here in some capacity.

If I die tonight, it’s fitting that he’s with me.

I run in the direction of the sound and slow my pace when mumbled voices come into my frame of awareness.

There are people outside, so as I suspected, whatever happened wasn’t a natural cause.

Either that or the guys heard what I did and came to investigate.

Maybe Ashley is wrong and none of them are in on it.

I fucking hope she’s wrong.

It’s possible Cameron just casually mentioned details to a friend, not realizing that he was giving away information that put me and Ashley at risk.

I’m not ready to accept that his intentions were sinister and malicious.

I dart behind a tree as quietly and carefully as I can. Whoever is outside has flashlights they’re trying not to use. The light blasts for a few seconds as though they need to see something and then immediately clicks off.

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