Chapter 24 Rebel
Rebel
We break up into pairs to search for the goat. Except for Owen who stalks off with a thunderous look on his face. He’s probably planning my murder. Hell, he’s already tried once today and is convinced I am entirely responsible for the goat’s disappearance.
“I want to go check on something,” Rogue says as we pass the barn on our way out to the paddocks. “I’ll catch up in a minute.”
“Don’t take too long.” The sooner we find this goat the sooner Owen can eat his accusations. I head toward the gate that leads out to the paddocks on this side, scanning the long grass for tan fur or bone-colored horns.
Unlatching the gate, I enter the paddock and use my hand to guard my gaze against the blazing sun in the deep blue and cloudless sky. I can’t believe that giant tool is trying to blame that wayward animal’s disappearance on me.
A bright patch of pink catches my attention.
“Oh no. Fuck no.” I start to run. Dizzy is kneeling in the grass, holding onto the goat I’m looking for. West is there too, crouched in front of her. “Please tell me that’s not what it looks like.”
“It’s a goat,” Dizzy turns shiny eyes my way.
“Actually, it’s a carcass,” West corrects gently as he straightens.
“Fucking fuck,” This can’t be happening. Owen’s going to assume I’m responsible for this. He’s going to want to kill me. Again. “It’s Stains.”
“Stains?” Dizzy climbs to her feet and wipes her hands on her dress.
“The goat that got out this morning?” West asks.
“Yes.” There’s blood in its fur and all over the ground around the goat. So much for a truce between me and Summer’s brothers. “What happened?”
“Someone slit his throat.” West points out the wound.
“I can see that.” Anyone with eyes wouldn’t be able to miss that. “You stumbled onto the body, right? It wasn’t you.”
“Seriously?” West stares at me like he thinks I might be losing the plot. “It wasn’t Dizzy either.”
Dizzy, who slit Jackson’s throat while protecting Ivy. I drop my gaze to the goat.
“It’s her sister’s wedding,” West reminds me, steel in his tone.
Right. She adores Ivy. She wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her special day. “Who then?”
“No idea,” West says. “Not yet.”
“Fuck.” I scrub my hand down my face. I really can’t believe this is happening. “Summer’s brothers are searching for him right now. I can’t imagine how they’ll want to retaliate. After the mud pit—”
“That could be why,” West says.
“It certainly has logic to it.” Dizzy tips her head to one side and tugs on a scarlet tipped tendril with a blood stained finger.
“Why what?” What the hell are they talking about?
“Would someone have killed the goat to keep the Hearts from accepting you?”
It’s possible. But unlikely. “Who would do that?” Except the Hearts themselves. “No, that’s... No... Owen doesn’t like me, but he liked that goat. The way he was carrying on about the animal... it’s a pet or something.”
“Yes, but they really don’t like you,” West says.
I point my finger in his face. “None of Summer’s brothers would do this. None of them are that psychotic. There has to be a rational explanation.”
“I didn’t suggest there wasn’t,” West says.
Even though we look identical it’s hard to believe someone this cold and suspicious could be my brother. “But not Summer’s brothers. Right?”
“Sure, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. If you suggest a better suspect.”
“I don’t know.” I tug on my hair as I step back. I have a suspect. One I hoped we’d never have to deal with again. “Alec. He’s still out there. What if he figured out we’re here?”
West and Dizzy share a look.
“He still hasn’t been located.” I list the logical reasons why this could be Alec. “Which means he’s out there somewhere. That means he’s still a problem. We don’t know if he’s planning revenge or—”
“It’s unlikely that Alec did this,” West says.
“With his own hands, no, he probably didn’t. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t behind it.” He’s proven time and time again how insidious he can be. He hired Jackson to poison Ivy right under our noses.
Dizzy smacks her lips like she’s about to tell me why I’m wrong.
West grasps her wrist to draw her over to him while he says, “We need to consider all possibilities.”
“What are you guys standing around for?” Rogue calls out, as he strides across the paddock. He’s nonchalant, as though he’s out for a stroll to enjoy the sunshine and not looking for a goat he’s about to learn is dead. “Did you find Stains?”
“Fuck.” I’m about to end that happy mood of his. There is just over two days until the ceremony, and this is going to put a hitch in the festivities. “He’s going to lose his shit. I better try to soften the blow.”