Page 51 of Marked For Revenge

“Do what you have to do,” Quentin muttered, his voice slurred from the effects of the stun gun. Maybe because of the head wound, too.

So far, Quentin hadn’t been able to tell him what’d happened, but it looked as if someone had bashed him on the head. He needed an ambulance, and even though one was no doubt on the way, the EMTs wouldn’t be able to move in unless the scene was secure.

“Go,” Quentin insisted.

This was the very definition of a rock and a hard place. There wasn’t anything else he could do for Quentin, but he could try to save Caleb. Of course, that meant going into the woods with a killer, but he couldn’t just wait while Caleb was clearly in danger.

Obviously, Ava felt the same way, and Harley had to curse again when he looked up and saw her making her way toward him.

“I have to help him,” she said.

Harley didn’t bother to spell out that this was exactly how the killer wanted her to react. No need. Ava knew the killer had set this plan in motion so she could end up being a victim.

He glanced at the woods, judging the distance, and it was about the same as it had been in Austin. The shooter had missed them with every single shot. Maybe the same thing would happen now.

“I’m a good cop,” Ava added, no doubt to remind him that she wasn’t just going to charge in with guns blazing.

Yeah, she was good, but Harley knew that sometimes good wasn’t enough. Sometimes, the best cops got killed when trying to do the right thing.

“I’m going with you,” Harley insisted.

He fired off a quick text to Theo to let him know what was happening, and then Harley started praying. First, that he could get Ava through this unharmed and then a prayer that they’d find Caleb alive and be able to take the killer into custody. Of course, that last part could be a long shot if Ava and he didn’t manage to sneak up on the killer and take him or her by surprise. Hard to do, though, when the killer was no doubt keeping an eye on them.

“Backup weapon in my boot holster,” Quentin managed to say.

Harley retrieved it for him, putting it into his hand. Since Quentin closed his fingers around it, the feeling was obviously returning, so at least he’d be able to defend himself if the killer circled back. Harley doubted that would happen though. If the killer had believed the Ranger would be a threat, then Quentin would already be dead.

“This way,” Harley instructed. “And stay as low as you can.”

He led Ava not toward the spot where they’d last seen Caleb. Instead, Harley made a beeline for the first cluster of trees. It was a huge risk. Anything was at this point. But it was better for them to have some cover, and then they could thread their way through the trees to get to Caleb.

If he was still there.

Harley had to believe he was. Though, it was entirely possible the killer’d had another vehicle waiting somewhere. Maybe up the road or on a nearby ranch trail. If that happened, if the killer managed to get Caleb out of these woods, then Harley figured Caleb’s life wouldn’t be worth much. The killer would likely use the young man as a bargaining tool and then murder him. After all, Quentin might not have gotten a good enough look to know the identity of the killer, but Caleb possibly would now that he’d had some up-close contact.

When Ava and he reached the cover of the trees, Harley didn’t breathe any easier. Thankfully, there was a bright moon out, and his eyes had adjusted to the near darkness. He immediately looked around to see if they were about to be ambushed, since the killer could have anticipated they might do this. He didn’t see anyone. Didn’t hear anyone, either, but in the distance he could hear the sound of a siren. Theo, probably. That was good because they needed backup, and Theo would be able to decide if it was safe enough to allow in the EMTs to help Quentin.

Ava and he continued to move and Harley was once again thankful that she was in such good shape. He recalled her saying early on in the pregnancy that her doctor had told her that it was okay for her to keep up her exercise routine. This trek wouldn’t necessarily be that strenuous, but the adrenaline and nerves had to be wreaking havoc with her head. Still, she kept up, moving fast with him as they made their way to where they would hopefully find Caleb.

Harley stopped when he thought he heard something. A footstep maybe. But it was hard to tell what with his heartbeat crashing in his ears. He forced himself to level out and listen, since he definitely didn’t want the killer sneaking up on them and gunning them down.

Ava motioned toward their left, to an area even thicker with trees than where they already were. Apparently, she’d heard something, too, and like him, she was trying to pick through the darkness and the woods to see if there was a threat or if the sound they’d heard was just some animal trying to get out of their path.

They waited a few seconds. When there was nothing but the wail of the approaching siren, Ava and he started moving again. But they didn’t get far. The next sound they heard sure as heck wasn’t a footstep or an animal.

“Don’t shoot,” someone said. “It’s me.”

Harley cursed when he recognized that voice.

Aaron.

The man stepped out from one of the trees, and he had his hands lifted in the air as if surrendering. Harley didn’t let down his guard.

“Take aim at him,” Harley told Ava. “I’ll keep watch.”

Ava did just that and was no doubt about to launch into some serious questions, but Aaron spoke first.

“What did you do with Caleb?” Aaron demanded. “Why the hell did you take him?”

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