Chapter 63

It turns into a full out battle, but not like any battle I’ve ever seen. Levi rides Dozer into the group of goons rushing toward him, mowing them down like they’re bowling pins. The bull stomps on them, slices them with his horns, and happily causes destruction, completely uncaring of the man on his back, his archnemesis. It’s the first time Levi has ridden a bull since his accident, and the first time Dozer has been ridden since then. Together, they make an insane force of nature. Someone tries to shoot at them, but the other animals dispatch him quickly, the bullets going into the air instead of hitting anyone of importance.

If I thought I’d been bad when I first came to the ranch, nothing prepares me for the hilarity that is the goons reacting to the animals. Pigs grab their pant legs and bite them. Roosters flog those that come too close. The goats slam into the backs of their knees, taking them down before they can do anything. The dogs come streaming from around the house, snarling, protecting their herd of people. Even Old Red comes around and bays for them to attack.

And the cowboys? Our neighboring ranches circle us, caging everyone in, lassoing a few of the goons and hog tying them.

Lennox looks around and seems to realize that he can’t win this one. Levi has tipped the balance and the goons still standing start retreating, running to get back to the suburbans. Lennox snarls in my ear, realizing he’s about to lose. When the sirens start up from the road, he straightens with a heavy sigh.

“Clearly, I’ve underestimated you all,” he says, and releases me suddenly. I stumble away, quickly moving over to Dakota and Wiley where they wait for me. He takes us all in before tipping his head up to the air. “The air is so clear out here. Less pollution.”

I stare at him curiously. Here he is, about to lose, the cops showing up, and he comments about the air?

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” I say, watching him carefully.

“It is,” he nods. “I see why you chose this place.” His eyes crinkle as he studies the men surrounding me. Levi rides up on Dozer and faces him, Dozer’s hooves pawing at the ground. I lay my hand on Dozer and the bull surprisingly lets me.

“It’s my home,” I say, tipping my chin up. “I don’t belong to you. I belong to them.”

He studies me, his eyes taking in everything about me, from my disheveled appearance to the people coming up around me, offering support. Neighbors, family, people I care about. Naomi comes up and loops her arm through mine, her eyes hard. Lennox looks at her with interest, but focuses back on me. Suddenly, he bends over at the waist, bowing, and it’s such an old world move, it surprises me.

“My apologies, Kate,” he says. “I had not realized the snakes I was messing with.”

I grin despite it all, despite the injuries we all sport. “Did you know a rattlesnake bite can kill you within six hours if you don’t make it to any antivenom?” At his smile, I add, “Maybe remember that next time you find yourself out here.”

He takes a step back. “I think. . . you have my respect, Kate,” he says, amused as the cop cars come screaming up behind him, caging in the suburbans.

John apparently handled what he needed to.

“I don’t think this will be the last we see of each other,” he comments as dozens of cops aim their guns at him and order him to hold his hands up. He does so without argument.

“It will be,” I declare, raising my chin.

His grin widens. “No,” he answers. “It won’t be.”

The cops swarm him, one of them slamming him into the ground despite his injuries and handcuffing him. The entire time, his eyes remain locked on me, but every so often, his gaze flickers to Naomi beside me. When I notice his interest, I step in front of her with a glare.

“Have fun in prison,” I tell him.

He gives no answer. Instead, he simply smiles as he’s jerked up and hauled toward a cop car. The rest of the living goons are gathered and handcuffed, and then it’s just us waiting in a sea of animals as they take in the bodies around us.

John comes up with a sigh. “So, which of you is going to explain what the hell happened?” Dakota steps forward and John shakes his head. “Come on, Steele. I expect I’ll need to take notes.”

We won. Lennox is going to jail. It’s over. Thank God.

William comes trailing out from under the porch carrying Fuzz by the scruff of his neck and I sink to my knees, pulling them into my arms. I hug both of them close, thankful they weren’t hurt.

This is it. No more running. There’s no more need to.

“We’re home, guys,” I tell them. “We’re finally safe.”