Page 46 of Blade

“Holy shit. What was she thinking?” I raced after Raptor to find Voodoo, Angel, and Squirrel waiting with their bikes running.

“Squirrel is tracking the truck. He has it connected to an app Facet developed.”

Blood rushing in my ears, I snagged my helmet from where it sat up on my mirror and jerked it down over my head. As I snapped the strap, I made eye contact with Voodoo. He was fuming but holding his cool. I started my bike, and we all pulled out. At the end of the driveway, Squirrel signaled we were turning left and we took off two by two, with Angel riding slop.

I had no idea how much of a head start he had on us. I wished I would’ve gotten more info from Squirrel before we took off. What if he ditched the truck somewhere? She must be terrified. That was enough to burn my anxiety away and replace it with barely leashed rage. He had taken my woman. He was going to pay.

“Maybe”—MachineinKelly&BringMeTheHorizon

There was a knock at the door, and I set my book down on the end table and got up. When I peeked through the window, I saw it was one of the prospects from Ankeny.

“Chad! How are you?” I smiled and he grinned. “Blade isn’t here right now.”

“I’m good, hon. And yeah, I know. I’m supposed to snag you and give you a ride to him. A prospect’s work is never done,” he explained with a shrug.

“Aww, I’m sorry,” I told him as I slipped my shoes on. He’d always been so nice to me before I’d had to leave.

“No worries. It’s part of the job and a means to an end.”

We climbed into the truck, and I turned his way. “We could’ve walked. I’m not such a princess that I can’t walk in the heat.”

He laughed. “I know you aren’t. But he’s down the road at one of the neighbors. He wanted me to bring you down to see their new baby horse.”

My grin got so big my cheeks hurt. I loved horses and the fact that he was doing this for me made my heart swell.

We got to the gate, and he pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen a few times. The tall gate slowly swung open, and we drove out, taking a left at the road.

“This is the first time I’ve been outside the compound since I got here,” I told him. “It’s nice to be out in the world again.”

As we drove along the two-lane highway, I admired the livestock in fields as we passed. I stared up at the big fluffy clouds. I admired the elaborate gates to some of the fancy ranches.

“How much farther?” I asked as I glanced his way.

He turned to look at me before returning his attention to the road. “Not too much. I know it’s on the right up here. I’m just watching for the big arch he told me was there.”

“What’s it look like and I’ll keep my eye out too?”

“Stone and wrought iron with a uh H on it. Or was it an A? I think I’ll know it when I see it,” he explained as he watched the road.

“Umm, okay?” Weird.

The truck slowed and I looked around in confusion. “This is a wooden gate.”

“Yeah, but this is the address.” He flashed me the screen of his phone, but then set it in his lap as he turned the truck onto the gravel drive.

As we continued down, I grabbed the door because it was so bumpy. “Oh!” I squealed and grabbed the door and the dash when we hit a big rut.

“Sorry about that,” he murmured as he focused on the road ahead.

“Jesus, this is terrible. They need to get their driveway fixed,” I observed with a nervous laugh, but he didn’t reply.

Finally, we rounded the bend, and a rundown barn came into view. The house didn’t look much better. There were weeds grown up around the base and taking over the short sidewalk in front of the house. “Oh God, what a mess. These poor horses,” I muttered.

Except I wasn’t seeing any sign of horses.

“Where are they?” I asked searching around the area. This didn’t look right. “I think we might have the wrong place.”

“No. It’s the right place. Come on.” He shut off the truck and jumped out. He came around to my side and opened my door. “This way.”