Chapter 42
Chapter forty-two
Dakota
Eighteen
The lights from the racetrack fade into the background as we pull out onto the highway.
My hands clench against my jeans as Billy presses on the gas, going way too fast for someone that’s had almost an entire bottle of whiskey.
He’s pissed because he lost. Again. And since I didn’t deliver him the knowledge of which horse was head of the ranks today, I’m on his shit list. Shocker.
The only reason I even agreed to come is because he threatened to sabotage the Mayson Ranch.
Apparently his newest “job” was working for Rocky Bernard, who happened to be a snake disguised as a wealthy hard working rancher.
His ranch butts up to Cooper’s family ranch, and Billy was descriptive on the ways he would make their life hell.
So here I sit, sweaty and furious that I still bow to his manipulative bullshit. But I know firsthand the cruelty of Billy Sterling. And I’d do anything to protect the Mayson’s.
“You’re just about as worthless as your mother was,” he sneers as he swerves, barely missing the bumper of a Sequoia.
“Funny. Everyone around town thinks I get it from you,” I toss out.
Wrong move.
I barely have time to react, before the back of his hand is slamming against the side of my face.
The force has my head bouncing off of the window, the searing pain shooting from my temple to my jaw.
“Keep running that mouth and your little boyfriend gets it,” he growls.
I right myself as fury wraps around my throat. I curl up my fist, my jaw clenching. Before I can make a stupid decision, like clock this bastard and crash this truck, blue and red lights flash behind us.
Billy curses, then abruptly swerves to pull over to the shoulder past the Welcome to Mayson Ridge sign.
The cruiser slows behind us, coming to a stop as Billy’s brow begins to sweat.
A tap at my window has me rolling it down, my eyes meeting the officer standing next to the truck.
“Evening.” He tips his cowboy hat.
“There a reason you pulled me over?” Billy snaps.
The cop lifts a brow. “Got a call about reckless driving. License and insurance.”
Billy grumbles under his breath before pulling out his ID. I hand it over to the cop, and he retreats to his car.
“I ain’t done shit wrong,” Billy says, his hands gripping the steering wheel in frustration.
Not three minutes later, another squad car joins, and two cops approach.
“Mr. Sterling. I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle.” The officer at my window motions. “Officer Fawn is waiting on the other side.
“What the fuck for? I didn’t do anything,” Billy shouts, his eyes wild.
“Can you step out ma’am?” The officer softens his voice.
I nod, sliding out of the truck, my boots landing on the asphalt. As I shut the door and face him, he stills when he sees my cheek. I’m sure it’s red and swollen at this point.
“You his daughter?” He asks, his eyes full of empathy.
“Yes.”
“Has he been drinking?” He asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
“I’m officer Brandt. Come stand by my cruiser, please.” He guides me to the back of the truck, over to where his car is idled.
The other officer is giving Billy a sobriety test, that he’s clearly failing.
“I’m going to search the vehicle. He’s under the influence,” Officer Brandt calls before he slides on a pair of black rubber gloves.
I breathe through my nose, my chest pounding as I watch the scene unfold. Billy cursing Officer Fawn. Curious cars slowing as they pass. Embarrassment flooding my skin that the whole damn town is witnessing this debacle.
Then officer Brandt steps back from the truck, a black backpack in hand. I don’t recall seeing it when I got in the truck before the races. When he unzips it, some of the contents spill out onto the ground.
Baggies.
“Fawn!” He shouts. “We need backup.”
He digs into the bag, removing a small scale.
“Mr. Sterling.” Officer Brant raises up, holding the white baggie in the air. “Is this your paraphernalia?”
“That shit ain’t mine!” He scoffs.
“Well, there’s plenty of eight balls ready to go in this bag.” He drops them back into the backpack. “They just magically appear in your back floor board?”
“It ain’t mine!” He roars. “You planted that shit!” Billy jerks, but Officer Fawn takes him to the ground, cuffing his hands behind his back.
“What’s your name ma’am?” Office Brandt asks.
“Dakota.” I swallow, not believing the scene in front of me. “What’s in the bag?”
“Looks to be cocaine.” He brings the backpack to his cruiser, speaking into the radio clipped to his shirt.
“Did he do that to your face?” He asks.
“Yeah.” I touch my cheek.
“This a reoccurring event?”
“Unfortunately.” I let my hand slide into my back pocket.
The urge to call Cooper is strong. Almost overwhelming. What if they think it was mine? That I helped him.
Panic takes root in my chest.
“I have to ask, is that bag yours?” He faces me.
“No. It’s not mine.” I shake my head.
Another cruiser pulls up, along with the sheriff. My gut churns, the thought that it could finally be the day my father drags me down with him.
“I just need confirmation.” He reaches out to gently touch my shoulder. “I know he’s assaulted you. I know he’s been drinking, and I know he was driving reckless.”
I blow out a breath before he continues.
“But I need to know if that’s his backpack. Have you seen it anywhere else? At your house? His work?”
I nibble on my lip, my pulse skyrocketing as I watch them lower Billy into a police car. They’re taking him away. Finally. But he always comes back.
I lock eyes with Officer Brandt and do what I should have done years ago. “It’s his.”
He dips his chin. “You have someone you can call?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s get you settled back here until your ride comes. He won’t be going home tonight or anytime soon.”
As I slide into the back of the police car, I shakily pull out my phone before pressing the contact at the top of my list.
He answers on the second ring.
“I’m ten minutes from getting on a bull. If your ass is not in those stands in fiv..”
“Coop,” I say quietly.
He goes silent.
A beat passes.
“Birdie.”
“I need you.”
There’s no hesitation. “Text me the address. I’m on my way.”
When he ends the call, I stare ahead, watching the blue and red lights flash.
I’m free.
He’s gone.
But my freedom will only last so long. One day he’s going to want revenge. Because the truth is…. I’ve never seen that bag in my entire life.