Chapter 24
Clayton sped through the streets, his clammy hands gripping the steering wheel of the truck as his stomach knotted. Ever since Danny’s call, the world had moved in slow motion with Clayton feeling as if he were bogged down in tar.
And all he wanted to do was get to Abby.
“You won’t do her or the boys any good if you wreck,” his father said from beside him.
Clayton didn’t bother with a response. He wasn’t able to put together any words, not when his mind kept tumbling over the fact that someone had broken into the Harpers’ home.
Someone was hurt. Clayton knew it. He’d heard it in Danny’s voice. After years of delivering such news, Clayton recognized the tone. What pissed him off was that Danny wouldn’t tell him anything. Just told Clayton to get there ASAP.
Clayton would’ve walked out in his briefs had his mother not shoved clothes into his arms and ordered him to dress. He was the one used to being in the middle of peril, of knowing that every breath could be his last.
He knew what conflict looked like, tasted like. Smelled like. It wasn’t supposed to be here in Clearview. Especially not in Abby’s home.
The sight of red and white flashing lights could be seen seconds before the sirens sounded as an ambulance whizzed by, headed toward the hospital. Clayton jerked his head around to stare at it before being forced to use his rearview mirror.
His father put a hand on his shoulder. This wasn’t a time for words, because there was nothing anyone could say that would make it better.
Seconds later, the red, blue, and white lights of patrol cars came into view. A deputy was on site, moving rubberneckers along. Clayton pulled off the road behind a squad car and threw the truck into park. In one smooth motion, he turned off the engine and exited the truck.
“Sir, you can’t—” a deputy started.
“Danny!” Clayton yelled, looking around the man currently blocking him.
Danny came out from the house and hurried toward them. He said something to his fellow deputy, and soon, Clayton and his father were let through the line of policemen.
Clayton’s feet grew heavy the closer he came to the front door of the house. He’d seen so many dead during his time as a SEAL, but this was different. This was Abby. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle it.
“ . . . get away. It was Brice who ran to a neighbors and had them call 911,” Danny said.
Clayton looked at him, his throat closing painfully. He didn’t understand why Brice hadn’t used Abby’s cell phone. And he was too afraid to ask the question—even if he could’ve gotten the words out.
When Clayton stepped into the house, he saw the destruction of every piece of furniture, picture, and item in the living room and into the kitchen. Walls had holes in them, cushions had been cut open, and shards of glass littered the floor.
But it was the blood that pulled his gaze. He’d smelled it the instant he walked through the door. The familiar, metallic odor hung heavy in the air.
“Holy shit,” his father murmured.
Danny wiped a hand over his face. “Yeah. Someone was making a statement here.”
“Where are they?” Clayton asked in a low voice.
Danny jerked his chin. Clayton looked through the living room toward the kitchen to find both Brice and Caleb sitting at the table staring off into space as deputies stood near them.
Clayton didn’t have to ask to know that Abby had been the one in the ambulance.
“She’s going to be fine,” Danny said. “The wound is minor.”
Clayton fisted his hands, squeezing his eyes closed. A wound. Abby was wounded. “Gun or knife?” he demanded. He knew what both felt like, and he hadn’t wanted Abby to ever know that kind of pain.
Danny hesitated. “Gun.”
Clayton dropped his chin to his chest and fought the red haze of fury that ripped through him.
“The boys are going to need you,” his father said. “You have to hold it together for them.”
His dad was right. Clayton took a deep breath and lifted his head the same time he opened his eyes, pinning Danny with a look. “What happened?”
Danny pursed his lips together before putting his hands on his hips. “The door was busted open when they arrived. Brice and Caleb came into the house with Abby trailing behind them. They didn’t realize anyone was inside until one of them hit Brice.”
“And?” Clayton urged when Danny went quiet.
Danny blew out a breath and gave a shake of his head.
“Caleb managed to grab his baseball bat that was near the door. He said he got a couple of good swings that connected with someone because he heard the grunts. That’s when another of them pulled a gun and fired two warning shots.
For whatever reason, they turned the weapon on Abby.
Caleb managed to knock her out of the way, but not before the bullet grazed her shoulder. ”
“Is that her only injury?” Ben asked.
Danny shrugged his shoulders. “She landed in a lot of glass, as well.”
Clayton walked past his friend and headed toward the kitchen. As he entered, the boys turned their heads to him. To his surprise, they rose and walked to him. He spread his arms and pulled them near.
Though neither made a sound, he felt the tears they cried by the shuddering of their bodies. He held them for several minutes before Caleb pulled back.
“I want to see Abby,” he declared.
Brice stepped away but refused to meet Clayton’s eyes. “Me, too.”
“Gather some clothes,” he told them. “We’re going to the hospital, but you’ll be staying at the ranch until we get this sorted out.”
When Clayton turned to watch them pick their way to their rooms, he found his father and Danny behind him. “This wasn’t an accident.”
“I agree,” Ben said.
Danny’s brow snapped together. “What do you mean?”
“The Harpers had nothing of value, Danny, and you know it,” Clayton said. “Look around. I bet every room looks like the living room and kitchen. Hell, they smashed every plate. That’s rage.”
His father blew out a long breath. “This destruction could’ve extended to someone’s life.”
“What do you know?” Danny demanded.
“Abby gave us a name of a new ranch. The brand they registered made her think how easy it would be to rebrand over our E.”
Danny briefly closed his eyes. “The stolen cattle.”
“Yep. And Clayton went to take a look at the ranch today,” Ben said.
Clayton gave a frustrated shake of his head. “I saw nothing, nor did I speak to anyone. Yet, it’s mere hours after I make that drive that someone does this?”
“I agree,” Danny said. “This isn’t a coincidence. What’s the name of the ranch? I can do some digging on my own.”
It wasn’t that Clayton didn’t trust Danny, but he was in protection mode. And he was used to doing things another way. Thankfully, he didn’t have to lie to Danny as Brice and Caleb came out with their bags in hand.
Clayton watched as his father led the boys from the house. He remained behind until the brothers were out of earshot, then he turned to Danny. “I’ll tell you who it is, but not tonight.”
“Clayton, you’re not in the Navy anymore. You can’t go after this person on your own,” Danny cautioned.
He grinned, but there was no mirth in it. “I may not be in the military, but I’ll always be a SEAL. And everything I learned is going to come in handy.”
“Please, don’t go after this person on your own.”
Clayton stopped as he started to walk away. He turned back to look at Danny. “Give me a few hours. Once you know the name, you’ll swarm the place and possibly ruin any chance I have of discovering who all is involved.”
“What makes you think it’s more than one person?”
“It took skill to steal the herd and bull from us. And it took several men and trailers. One person might be running this, but I want everyone involved.”
Danny raised a brow. “And Brice? He’s part of it, and he refused to give us anything.”
“I think he may change his mind now. Either way, the sheriff’s department can’t go barreling in.”
“Dammit,” Danny muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. He glared at Clayton. “I’ll give you some time, but don’t make me regret it. SEAL or not, I’ll still arrest your ass.”
Clayton gave a nod. “Understood.”
He left the house and got in the truck. The boys were in the backseat, silent as death. Clayton glanced at his father before he started the truck and backed up before turning the vehicle around.
While he felt better knowing that Abby wasn’t in mortal danger, the fact remained that someone shot her. He was going to find out who that was.
And he would make the person pay.
Painfully.
By the time he parked the truck in the hospital parking lot, he’d thought of twelve different ways he could take out the people who had hurt Abby and her brothers—each one more satisfying than the last.
Clayton led the way into the hospital and was directed to the ER where they had Abby. His steps slowed when he saw her lying so still on the bed with the IV bag and monitors beeping. Blue curtains hung, sectioning off Abby’s bed from others.
“She was awake earlier,” Caleb said in a voice strained with worry.
Clayton put his hand on the teen’s shoulder. “It’s most likely the pain medicine,” he explained.
His dad motioned for the boys to follow him. “Come. You’ll see that she’ll wake soon.”
Clayton slowly followed the three of them to the bed. Brice took one side and Caleb the other. They stared down at their sister for a long moment before they grabbed her hands.
He saw a tear roll down Brice’s face. Clayton couldn’t press him for information on the cattle rustlers. Now wasn’t the time. But soon. After what those people had done to the Harpers’ house and to Abby, surely Brice would talk.
“I’m going to call your mother,” his dad whispered before walking away.
Clayton stood at the foot of the bed noting how pale Abby looked. The bright white bandage that peeked out from her hospital gown was a reminder of how close she’d come to death.
“I hit one of them,” Caleb said. “I hit him so hard I heard him cuss. And my bat cracked.”
Clayton looked at the youngest Harper. “You did good.”
“I should’ve aimed higher. Or lower. The lights were out,” he said, his breathing becoming harsh. “Only the headlights coming through the living room gave us light. I tried a switch, but the lights didn’t come on. That’s when we heard them.”
Brice stood silently as another tear rolled down his cheek.
Caleb drew in a ragged breath. “If I’d hit lower, I might have taken one of them out and moved on to the other. Hell, I don’t even know how many there were.”
“Hey,” Clayton said, drawing Caleb’s gaze. “I want you to listen to me. You did a good job hurting them. No matter how much you could’ve done, it’s never enough when someone is harmed. Trust me. I know this.”
“I almost threw up when I saw her blood,” Caleb confessed.
Clayton looked from Caleb to Brice, waiting until both boys had their eyes on him. “No one is going to hurt either of you or your sister again. I’m going to make sure of it.”