11. Kat

ELEVEN

Kat

I'd gone out to try to escape Gabe—at least for a moment—but being apart from him had just made me feel worse.

I slammed the tailgate of my truck shut, the clang echoing across the yard as I hefted the grocery bags into my arms. I'd been a complete jerk, as if avoiding him could somehow make these unwanted feelings vanish. I'd been so short with him earlier, my words clipped, my gaze averted.

It was a crappy defense mechanism, and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

With a deep breath, I allowed myself a quick glance toward the barn. No sign of Gabe. His truck squatted there though, old and reliable as the day is long. He had to be here somewhere. Maybe inside, taking a break or fixing something that didn't need fixing just to avoid me.

"Damn it," I sighed, shifting the bags to one arm as I reached for the door. "You're going to apologize, Kat. And mean it."

The screen door creaked as I pushed it open. Inside, I'd draw a line under this foolishness—offer an olive branch, or a beer.

Anything to smooth over the awkwardness I'd caused.

"Hey, Gabe," I rehearsed quietly, "about this morning—I was out of line. Let me make it up to you." I could practically hear his low chuckle, the one that rumbled from deep within his chest and made my insides do somersaults.

Not helpful.

But I had to apologize.

It wasn't his fault he starred in my dirty dreams.

The groceries thunked onto the counter, pulling my thoughts back to the present. I glanced down the hallway. "Hey Livy, is Gabe still out there?"

She didn't answer, even though I could've sworn I'd heard her. I craned my neck, trying to spot Bandit's wagging tail or hear his excited yapping. "Livy, where's Bandit? He usually can't wait to steal a carrot or something."

Silence hung in the air, dense and unwelcome.

"Kiddo?"

Nothing.

Not a peep.

That's when the buzzing started—a low, anxious thrumming at the base of my skull. Something wasn't right. The kind of not-right that had your heart thumping double-time against your ribs, screaming for you to take notice.

I backed up, eyes straining to make sense of what they saw. Livy was there, hunched and small, her figure partially swallowed by shadows.

But she wasn't alone.

"Olivia?" My tone was soft now, laced with unease. I took a step toward her, aching to see her face, to understand why she stood so still, so quiet.

My gaze slid past her, drawn inexorably to the shape behind her.

A big shadow.

A man.

Panic clawed its way up my throat as I tried to make sense of it. My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms.

"Olivia, you're gonna be?—"

My reassurances died in my throat as someone lunged at me from behind, knocking the breath out of me. His hand clamped over my mouth with such force that my teeth snapped together. The bastard cursed under his breath, hot and angry right into my ear. His other arm wrapped around me like a vise.

I caught the scent of him, cheap cologne trying to mask the stink of sweat and something else…fear?

No, it was mine, the fear.

It had to be.

Livy's eyes were huge, tears streaming down her cheeks, glistening even in the half-light. "Aunt Kat…?" Her voice trembled, a fragile thread of sound about to snap.

"Shut up," the man behind me growled. "One more word, and she dies."

His words punched through my shock, spurring me into action. But the cold kiss of metal at my side froze me again. A blade, just barely kissing my skin through my shirt. Damn it. I should've been paying attention, should've seen this coming. Maybe then I wouldn't be here, Livy wouldn't be crying, and we wouldn't be at the mercy of these sons of bitches.

"Easy, girl," the man behind me hissed, mistaking my tension for struggle. "We don't wanna hurt you…much." His voice was muffled, and I realized as my eyes adjusted to the darkness that both were wearing ski masks.

"Time to pack your bags," the one by Livy said, his voice a grating sneer. "This land's too much for a lonely girl like you."

I squinted at him, trying to place that voice. No luck. The fear in my chest coiled tighter, but I couldn't let it paralyze me —not with Olivia afraid and sobbing, her small frame shaking in terror.

"Please," I managed to mumble against the rough palm pressed to my mouth, my voice nothing more than a muffled plea.

"Enough talking," he snarled and tightened his grip, but I barely felt it. My mind was racing, images of Gabe's strength, of the way he'd toss hay bales like they were nothing, flooding in.

Gabe. He was out there, in the barn. If I could just get free…

Livy's soft sob broke through my thoughts. My heart clenched, but I pushed the panic back down.

I had to be strong—for her.

I shifted slightly, pressing my weight into the balls of my feet.

"Scared, huh?" he sneered, breath hot against my ear.

You wish.

With all the force I could muster, I kicked back at his shin, heel first—thank God for cowboy boots. A grunt, and his grip slackened just enough.

I twisted out of his arms like a damn eel, heart thundering in my ears.

"Run, Livy!" I screamed.

Then I barreled forward.

Livy's captor wasn't expecting me to go for him, and he didn't react in time to get away. My knuckles connected with something hard—his face, protected only by the ski mask.

Livy didn't hesitate. She bolted down the hall, her small form a blur aimed straight for the back door.

"Go, go, go!" I screamed after her, every cell in my body ready to explode. If this was it—if these were my last moments—I'd go down knowing I did everything I could to keep that girl safe.

The guy I'd punched took off after her, and I tried to follow—but I didn't get the chance, because knife guy was still after me. His blade flashed in the dim light, a cruel glint that promised pain. I ducked and weaved, adrenaline fueling my every move. He lunged, and I felt a sting slice across my arm—a bright line of fire that made my scream rip through the silence.

"Damn you?—"

But then—barking, snarling.

Bandit barreled through the dog door up front with a ferocious growl, then leaped right on the guy's back.

"Fuck!" the man howled, his vicious curse filling the room while he tried to shake Bandit off. He thought it was just the dog…but I'd already seen what was coming up behind Bandit.

A monster.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched Gabe come through the living room, all corded muscle and clenched fists. This was the man I knew—the angry man, the one people in town feared because he could fly off the handle at any moment. I hadn't seen him since that fateful summer, but now…it was a relief.

It was good to have someone like this on your side when the chips were down.

Before I knew it, Gabe had the guy up against the wall, hands around his throat. The intruder clawed at Gabe's grip, eyes bulging.

"Call 911, Kat!"

I fumbled for my phone, fingers slick with my own blood. My head swam for a second as I remembered Ben bleeding out…no, Kat, focus . Gabe let out a snarl and I realized he'd been stabbed.

That was the shock I needed. I dialed the emergency number.

It rang…it rang too many fucking times. I couldn't do anything but watch as Gabe squeezed the man's wrist until he dropped the knife, as they struggled?—

"Silver Ridge Emergency Services?—"

"We need help," I said, voice surprisingly steady considering my heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest. "Intruders at Martin Ranch."

"Units are on the way, ma'am. Stay on the line."

"Hurry!"

I didn't add "before someone dies." Didn't need to.

The intruder was getting desperate, and that meant more violence. With a guttural snarl, he shoved Gabe with all the strength he could muster from his compromised position. The force sent Gabe stumbling backward.

"Shit!" I cursed under my breath, watching in horror as Gabe's head connected with the unforgiving wall. He slid down it, unmoving, eyes closed.

"God, no," I whispered, a lump forming in my throat. For a moment, I was back there, to the day I lost Ben—helpless and frozen.

But hell, this wasn't then, and I wasn't that same person anymore.

"Kat…?" Gabe groaned, barely audible.

He was alive. Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived.

I couldn't help him right now.

I had to act.

I charged the masked man like a bull seeing red, throwing my body against his. My shoulder slammed into his chest, knocking the wind out of him and sending us both reeling. He fell back, his head cracking against the tile floor…but he got up.

Still, that moment had given me enough time to grab his knife.

For a moment, we locked eyes—him sizing up his next move; me daring him to make one. Then his gaze darted toward Gabe, who was struggling to get up with Bandit licking his wounds. Bandit saw the guy looking and snarled.

"Try it, and the dog will take a chunk out of you," I warned, though my heart hammered against my ribs.

The man made his decision. With a last look that promised this wasn't over, he bolted for the back door.

I sprinted after the intruder, my boots pounding against the floor…and then flattening the tall grass outside. I paused with the knife in hand, protecting my house. In the distance, I saw the man join back up with his partner, and together they disappeared into the aspens.

The same aspens where someone had hidden the day Ben was shot.

But I had something else to worry about.

"Olivia!" My voice came out raw, scraping against the panic that threatened to swallow me whole. No response. My heart hammered a warning in my chest.

If they'd taken her…

Then a rustle from above caught my attention. Livy was perched on a thick branch of the big oak tree, her small figure clambering down with the agility of a scared cat. Before her feet even touched the ground, she launched herself into my arms, her body trembling.

"I hid," she gasped, her breath hitching. "I'm sorry I couldn't help, I just hid, and I…"

"You couldn't do anything," I whispered. "It's okay, Livy…it's okay. I'm just glad you're safe."

I held her tight, relief flooding through me as her words dissolved into sobs. The relief was short-lived. Pain seared from the cut on my arm, bringing reality crashing back.

Gabe .

"Come on, Livy," I said, my voice firm despite the fear knotting my stomach. "Stay close to me."

We ran back inside, the house now silent except for our hurried steps and ragged breaths. In the living room, sprawled on the floor, Gabe was slowly coming around, Bandit whining beside him. His side was bleeding…but not too much, to my relief. It looked like the intruder had only nicked him, just like with me.

"Hey, hey, you okay?" I dropped to my knees, clutching his shoulder.

Gabe groaned and blinked up at me. "Kat? That you?"

"Yeah, it's me." I fought the tremor in my voice. "You're alive."

"Seems so," he muttered, trying to sit up.

"Easy there, cowboy," I said, gripping his shoulder as he swayed.

"I'm okay," he said. "I'm…fuck, my head is killing me, but I'm okay."

I didn't chastise him for cursing. I didn't tell him to stay calm. I didn't ask where he'd been, why Bandit hadn't been with Livy.

I just needed to hold him.

Without another thought, I flung my arms around him, pulling him close. Livy joined in, wrapping her small arms around us both.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder by the second. Gabe made a move to stand, but his body wasn't on board with that plan just yet. He groaned and leaned back against the wall, eyes squeezed shut.

"Stay put," I ordered. "And Livy, keep an eye on him."

Gabe tried—and failed—to shake his head. "Kat, I can?—"

"No, you can't." I cut him off, already moving towards the door. "Just stay with her."

I bolted outside, the cool air hitting my face, the sound of sirens a promise that everything might just end up okay. Chris Langley, the sheriff's deputy, was first out of his cruiser, his expression grim as he took in the scene. Behind him, an ambulance came rolling down the drive in a cloud of dust.

"Chris," I said, pointing toward the front door. "In there. They need help."

"Kat, what the hell happened?"

"Someone attacked us," I said. "But right now, just help Gabe."

As Chris hustled past me, I stood alone in the yard, my feet rooted to the spot, heart pounding like a jackhammer. The red and blue lights from the cruisers and ambulance splashed across the house, giving the scene an otherworldly glow.

"Again," I whispered to no one in particular, a cold realization settling in.

Someone had just tried to kill me—again. And whoever it was wanted our land for themselves.