“Meet one of the asshats who works for Jarek,” Hudson said.
Franco’s shocked reaction told Hudson that he’d hit the nail on the head.
“We’ll take care of him,” Kade said.
“Get him to Travis,” Hudson said.
Owen nodded.“On it.”
“Marcus is looking for you,” Kade said.“He contacted us when he couldn’t reach you.He was looking for the mountain lion over by the creek and said he found a pair of women’s shoes.”
Tension tightened in the pit of Hudson’s stomach.An icy chill raced down his spine.
“You got it covered here?”he asked, already taking steps backward.
“Yes, go.”
18
Aclicking sound behind them caused Jarek to loosen his grip as he turned to look.Cassie took advantage of the moment, dropping down to her knees and rolling away.He dove on top of her; cold metal once again at her throat.
“Don’t you move another inch,” warned Jarek through what sounded like gritted teeth.“And don’t you ever threaten me again, bitch.”
Beau dismounted his horse.He kept the gun pointed at Jarek.“Put the knife away, and no one gets hurt.”
One slip from Jarek or finger twitch from Beau, and her life could be over.The gravity of the situation punched her.Not without meeting my son or seeing Hudson one more time.
“Stand up,” Jarek hissed in her ear.“But do it slowly.”
Cassie did as told, careful not to slip or move too suddenly.
“This is what’s going to go down.We’re walking out of here.”Jarek forced her to take a step backward.His free hand swept toward the other men.“You won’t follow.”
Another step.
Beau didn’t move.He just glanced over at Marcus and back.Marcus was a statue.The threat of getting tangled up with a notorious crime syndicate had been enough to mute him.Cassie couldn’t blame him.He wore a gold band on his wedding finger.He might have kids.There was no shame in self-preservation.
“Stay right where you are, and she lives.”More steps back.
Beau frowned.His gaze searched hers like he might be able to find a good next step in there.Or was he searching for forgiveness because he couldn’t save her?
The fact he’d shown up meant the world.A little piece of her wished Hudson was here instead.But wishes were for kids with coins to throw into fountains.Cassie’s life didn’t have storybook endings.
A few more steps made Beau and Marcus shrink a little bit more.
And then a hard stop.Cassie’s back nailed Jarek’s chest.
“Sonofabitch.”Hudson’s voice came from behind loud and clear as the knife flew away, and Jarek was wrestled to the ground.“You didn’t expect me to show up, did you?”he asked a wide-eyed Jarek.
Someone deadlegged her.She fell on top of them.
Jarek thrashed around like a shark as Hudson struggled to keep the upper hand.
Cassie dove toward the glint of metal and came up with the knife a few moments later.She rolled away from the men so Jarek couldn’t accidentally take the weapon from her.
She stood by, helpless, as she watched the men fight for control.Beau and Marcus were beside her, the three of them looking for an opportunity to help while standing idly by.
Hudson grunted as he took a knee to the stomach.He reacted with a punch so hard that it caused Jarek’s head to snap back.