Chapter Four
The explosion tore through the air again, even louder this time, closer. Avery clapped her hands over her ears, the sound so sharp and violent it felt like it split her skull in two.
The world became nothing but noise and vibration. The SUV lurched beneath her, tires spinning over loose gravel and dirt as Jackson floored the accelerator.
Another blast echoed through the trees, a deep rolling thunder that wouldn’t stop.
The ground shook under them, and a hot wave of air swept through the open vents, carrying the stench of burning wood and smoke.
Beneath it came the raw, earthy scent of scorched dirt and something chemical, sharp enough to sting her nose.
She ducked lower, heart hammering, her palms pressed hard against her ears. The ringing wouldn’t stop. Every breath came fast and shallow.
Jackson didn’t slow down. His focus locked on the trail ahead, jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. His knuckles were white on the wheel. He didn’t say a word, didn’t look her way, just drove harder, pushing the SUV through ruts and dips that sent them bouncing in their seats.
Avery lifted her head just enough to glance toward the side mirror.
Her stomach dropped.
Where Jackson’s house had been, there was nothing but fire. Flames shot through the collapsed roof, black smoke curling into the bright afternoon sky. The sight of it hit her like a physical blow. That place had been quiet and safe only minutes ago. Now it was gone, reduced to a burning wreck.
She turned back to Jackson, her voice breaking. “Your house…”
He didn’t look at her, didn’t ease up on the gas. “I see it,” he said, his tone clipped and steady. “Hold on.”
The SUV hit another dip in the trail, jolting them hard. The sound of crackling flames and distant gunfire filled the air behind them, and Avery realized that whatever safety they’d had was gone.
They were being hunted.
His tone was flat, controlled, but she saw the flicker of fury in his eyes. It was the kind of quiet rage that came from someone used to losing things and refusing to break anyway.
Jackson didn’t look back. The SUV bounced hard over the uneven trail, the engine growling as he pushed it faster. The trees blurred past, sunlight flashing through the branches like strobes.
Avery’s chest tightened. Guilt pressed in so hard she could barely breathe. None of this would have happened if she hadn’t come to him. He’d still have his house, his land, his peace. Instead, she’d brought the war straight to his door.
She wiped her hands on her jeans, realizing they were slick with sweat. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice shaking. “If I hadn’t—”
“Don’t,” he cut in. “Not now.”
He didn’t raise his voice, but the steel in it shut her up fast. He gripped the wheel tighter, eyes scanning the trail ahead. “Charlotte and her crew can’t follow us. That grenade tore up the road behind us. But it’s possible they’ve got the other trails and roads staked out.”
Avery swallowed hard. “You think they’ve got more people out there?”
“I’d bet on it,” he said. “The Brotherhood’s not a handful of bullies anymore. They’ve got reach.”
She knew he was right. The Brotherhood had started as a small group of vigilantes, but over the years they’d multiplied, spreading through Texas like a shadow network. Men and women with guns and grudges, all still loyal to the Barkers. There had to be dozens of them now.
If Charlotte had called them in, they’d cover every trail, every back road, and every way out.
Avery looked out the window, the forest flashing past, smoke still curling into the sky behind them.
She’d thought she was running for safety when she came to Jackson. Now she realized she might have led him straight into the crosshairs.
Jackson kept the SUV moving fast, the tires kicking up dirt and gravel as they tore down the narrow trail.
Branches reached out from both sides, slapping and scraping against the doors and windows.
The sound grated against Avery’s nerves, sharp and constant.
She gripped the door handle, trying to steady her breathing, but every bounce and jolt made her stomach tighten.
The phone on the console lit up, vibrating against the plastic. Jackson glanced at the screen once before hitting the speaker.
“Noah,” he said.
“What the hell happened out there?” Noah Riggs’s voice filled the cabin, tense and clipped. “I’ve got Garrett McCall and Cal Granger at the trail to take care of Avery’s car, and they just reported an explosion. Talk to me.”
Jackson kept his eyes on the road, the muscles in his jaw hard. “Charlotte Barker and her people showed up. I’m guessing they brought a grenade launcher and leveled the house.”
There was a pause on the other end, followed by a low curse. “Jesus, Jackson. Is Avery with you?”
“She’s here,” he said. “We’re clear for now, but that won’t last. They’re organized, and I’m guessing the trails are being watched.”
Noah exhaled, the sound rough through the speaker. “All right. I’ll get Cal and Garrett to the ranch. They can sweep the perimeter and see if anyone’s still in the area. I’ll call the fire department, too.”
“House can’t be saved,” Jackson said. His voice stayed steady, but Avery caught the faint edge of something under it. Loss. Anger. “Tell Cal and Garrett to focus on getting my horses out.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Noah said without hesitation.
The SUV jolted as the trail opened up into a narrow strip of pavement. Jackson slowed, eyes scanning both directions. The tires crunched over some loose rocks, and the engine’s low rumble filled the silence.
Avery looked out the window, her heart pounding. The road was empty, nothing but sun-bleached asphalt and a long line of mesquite trees stretching into the distance. She didn’t see anyone, no vehicles, no movement.
Jackson leaned forward slightly, checking the mirrors one more time before easing the SUV onto the road. The tires gripped the pavement, the sudden smoothness making the silence feel heavier.
“Are you bringing Avery to Crossfire Ops headquarters?” Noah asked, his question cutting through the silence. Cutting through her.
Before Jackson could answer, Avery’s breath caught. Panic whipped through her, and she shook her head hard, reaching out to touch his arm. “No,” she whispered.
He glanced at her, eyes narrowing.
She kept shaking her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not sure I can trust everyone there.”
Jackson didn’t respond right away. His expression didn’t change a whole lot, but she could see the tension building in the line of his jaw. He looked back at the road, driving faster now, the trees blurring past.
Noah’s voice came again. “Jackson, talk to me. What’s your plan?”
Avery’s pulse hammered as she waited for his answer, unsure what he’d say or where they were heading next.
Jackson muttered a curse under his breath, his hand tightening on the steering wheel. For a few seconds, he said nothing, just kept his eyes on the road, the muscle in his jaw ticking.
Finally, he spoke. “I’ve got a safe place,” he told Noah. “I’ll take Avery there. I’ll be in touch once we’re settled.”
There was a pause on the line, and Avery could almost feel Noah wanting to argue. He didn’t, though. “Fine,” he said, his voice tight. “But I’m putting every tech resource we have on finding out who leaked her identity.”
Avery frowned. “How can you do that?”
“I’ve got a source I can trust,” Noah said. “Someone inside the Brotherhood. A tech who’s been keeping tabs on them.”
Avery’s chest tightened. It shouldn’t have surprised her. Evan had worked for Noah, and the Brotherhood had taken his life. Of course Noah would have someone inside, watching them, waiting for a moment like this.
Jackson kept his eyes on the road. “Thanks. Keep me updated,” he told his boss.
“Will do,” Noah said.
Jackson reached forward and ended the call. The SUV fell silent again except for the steady hum of the engine and the faint rattle of the tires on the road.
Avery leaned back in her seat, her pulse finally starting to slow. For the first time since the explosion, she let herself breathe. But deep down, she knew this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
But at least they weren’t walking into a compound where she wasn’t sure they’d be safe. She trusted Jackson, but only him.
Avery sat up in her seat, ignoring the tight pull in her stomach. She needed to help him keep watch. Her eyes swept over the open land on either side of the road, searching for any sign of movement, any flash of sunlight off metal or the dust of another vehicle trailing behind them.
They drove for miles, winding through the back roads that cut deep into the Texas Hill Country.
The terrain shifted between rolling hills and stretches of scrub, dotted with mesquite and cedar trees that glowed gold in the fading light.
The sky was wide and endless, the kind of view that usually calmed her, but today it felt too open, too exposed.
Jackson took turn after turn, changing direction so often she lost track of where they were. The roads were narrow, some gravel, some paved, most deserted. Every mile they put between themselves and Crossfire Creek eased the tension in her chest just a little, but not enough.
She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly.
Jackson’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Don’t,” he said. “Nothing that’s happened is your fault.”
She wanted to believe him, but she couldn’t. “You lost your home because of me.”
“I can build another one,” he said. “You’re alive. That’s what matters.”
Avery looked out the window, her reflection ghosting against the glass. She wished it were that simple.
She didn’t know how she was going to stop the danger that had followed her here. The Brotherhood seemed untouchable, a force that kept rebuilding itself no matter how many times the law tried to shut it down. They had money, loyal followers, and a network that reached farther than anyone admitted.