Chapter 33
Owen called Elias, Wyatt, and Leslie, but no one picked up. Something in his gut twisted as he drove back to the mountain. Everything appeared more dangerous than before. Their dad discovered gold on the mountain, lots of it. Enough for someone to want to commit murder.
“I don’t like this,” Cade said, redialing Elias’ number. “No one’s answering.”
“I know. I can’t reach anyone,” Owen said, pressing the gas pedal down. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it.”
“Me, too, brother,” Cade agreed.
“Go faster,” Mason urged.
“They rounded the bottom of the mountain, forcing Owen to slow down to drive around the steep curves.
The tension in the truck grew thick as they drove up the mountain.
Owen stopped the truck after the last curve.
Already in sync, each brother split in different directions, leading up to the house.
Coming up in the rear, Cade found Wyatt.
Owen entered the front of the house, clearing the rooms. Pushing the office door open, Owen found Elias.
Kneeling by his brother, he checked his pulse.
When Elias groaned and his eyes fluttered open, he let out a relieved sigh.
“Where’s Leslie and the boys?” he demanded.
“They disappeared. Leslie went after them,” he whispered. “Wyatt, they shot at him.” He pointed toward the monitor. “Leslie ran up the west trail.”
“We’ll get you help, Elias. Stay still,” he said, taking off down the stairs. Mason entered the house, pointing his gun at the staircase, and lowered it as he saw Owen.
“Elias is in the office. He got struck on the back of his head. Wyatt’s shot. I’ll help get Wyatt, and you render aid. If they need a hospital, call an ambulance. Where’s Dillon?”
“I didn’t see him,” Mason said, racing into the laundry room to check on his sons and then up the stairs to Elias.
Owen ran outside and headed to the spot Elias pointed to on the screen.
Cade glanced up as he placed a bandage around Wyatt’s arm. “He’s shot, drunk, and bleeding. Help me get him to stand, and we’ll take him inside. Where’s Dillon?”
“I don’t know. Leslie ran up the west trail. The boys must be with her. The twins are in the playpen,” Owen reported. “I’m heading up the trail.”
“I’m coming with you,” Cade said as they each took a side and supported Wyatt.
“I’m not drunk,” Wyatt said. “They saw Leslie and ran after her. Help her,” he insisted.
“We’re getting you inside first,” Owen said, dragging him.
They laid him down on the couch, and Cade yelled for Mason. “Stop the bleeding.”
Cade and Owen ran out and headed toward the trails, and as they made it halfway up the hill, they heard Sheriff Dalton’s voice. Cade disappeared into the trees, and Owen climbed over the boulders.
“Where did your old man hide the map? I know you’re aware of what we found,” he said to Dillon. “You’ll be attending a lot more funerals in your future. It’s your choice if you want to become the guest of honor or only a guest.”
“I’m not telling you shit,” Dillon spat. “You and your cronies can kiss my ass.”
“It’s not only us,” Sheriff Dalton said. “I’m only the enforcer. They hired me to make sure you don’t stay, unless you’re six feet under. Leslie and those brats are gone. Your brothers will be dispatched in no time. You only have one chance, Dillon.”
Owen dropped onto the sheriff as Cade handled his crony.
They wrestled for the gun as Owen pushed him against a boulder.
He slammed his hand holding the weapon against the stone, making him lose his grip.
Owen struck him in the stomach. Throwing another punch, he sent the sheriff halfway down the hill.
“You son of a bitch, if you hurt Leslie or the boys, I’ll make sure you never see daylight again,” he said as he pummeled him. “Where did you take them?”
Cade’s strong hand wrapped around Owen’s arm. “Save it, brother. The other one already squealed. They’re in the old mine. The sheriff threw dynamite in the entrance.”
Letting go of Dalton, Owen glared at Cade.
Kicking the sheriff onto his belly, Cade tied his hands with his belt. Heaving him over his shoulder, he threw him down next to the beaten fake officer. “Call Gunny. Tell him what happened and bring all the manpower and equipment he’s got.”
Owen dialed Gunny’s number. As soon as the man answered, Owen said, “Sheriff Dalton and his officers attacked the house. I need men. He threw dynamite in the old mine, and Leslie and the boys are trapped. I can’t use anyone here. We don’t have anyone we can trust.”
“We’re on our way. We’ll bring a medical team with us, and I’ll call in a favor from a few towns over from you,” Gunny said.
Hang in there, son, Owen heard before disconnecting the call. Owen glanced at his phone, swearing he heard his father’s voice.
He ran to the old mine and fell to his knees as he saw the devastation. There’s no way Leslie and the boys survived the blast. No, hang in there, son, he heard again.
Climbing over the rubble, he started removing rocks from the entrance as he whispered a prayer his mother taught him. Or maybe his dad, as he told him about the bloody battles he witnessed and how the angels protected him. Now, Owen prayed they protected the love of his life, his son and brother.