Chapter 20 Aspen
Aspen
The shouting wakes me up.
At first I think I’m dreaming.
Then Buddy barks.
Loud.
Furious.
I bolt out of bed.
Dylan’s bedroom door opens at the same time.
“Mom?”
“Stay inside,” I say automatically.
But the porch light is already on.
Voices outside.
Men shouting.
My heart pounds.
I step onto the porch—
and immediately look for Dylan.
He’s behind me.
Too close.
Too exposed.
I shift slightly, putting myself between him and whatever is happening out there.
Instinct.
Immediate.
Unquestioned.
No one gets to him.
Not while I’m standing.
And freeze.
Ace is holding a man down near the barn.
Havoc and Blaze stand over him.
Cold.
Focused.
Dangerous in a way I’ve never seen before.
For a second…
“What’s happening?” I ask.
Havoc turns toward me immediately.
His expression softens just a little.
“Stay on the porch.”
The man on the ground laughs again.
“That her?” he sneers.
Blaze shoves him down harder.
“Shut up.”
The stranger’s eyes lock on me.
“You don’t even know who your husband really was.”
The words slice through the air.
My chest tightens.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
Havoc steps between us instantly.
“You don’t answer him,” he says.
The stranger grins.
“Oh, she should know.”
His voice drops.
“Tank got himself killed for a reason.”
Everything inside me goes still.
Havoc’s voice turns lethal.
“You’re done talking.”
Buddy barks again like he agrees.