CHAPTER EIGHT

A week later

– PARKER –

"You're shitting me," I growl and stare in disbelief at Kathleen.

She leans forward to slide a file across the table. "I wish I was. Murphy Denver is a massive pain in the pooper. We checked hospitals and doctors for a gunshot wound but instead, the fucker used a knife to cut up the wound and get the bullet out. We would never have known if I hadn't burst through Bennie's door and demanded he talk to me face-to-face."

I open the file and flip through the photographs. "That's one twisted fucker, beating the shit out of the man who took him in as a kid and raised him as his own."

"Maybe that was part of the problem," Rourke states and shoves a piece of paper in my direction. "Bennie has multiple assault charges on his rap sheet. He might have smacked the kid around growing up, escalating in this beatdown."

"I didn't find any reports, not that it couldn't have happened. However, his wife left him earlier this year. She didn't take anything with her, she simply left town with the clothes on her back, a handful of cash, and didn't look back," Kathleen states. "I remember because I was asked by multiple people to do a welfare check due to the fact that nobody had seen her. Bennie wouldn't answer questions from clients or neighbors. Bennie told me he didn't want to explain to everyone that she left and took a few grand out of their cash savings in the store safe. He showed me a video where you can clearly see she goes into the vault, grabs a stash of cash, and leaves. It's a small town so I understood his need to keep this quiet. Now, on the other hand, it felt weird so I ran a check."

"Let me guess," Walker rumbles. "Not a trace of the woman."

Kathleen nods. "She completely vanished when she left town earlier this year. No use of her cards, no job, no home, no nothing."

Walker leans forward in his chair. "Can't you call in a favor from that Lawmen who helped us the last time? Maybe he can–"

"So, you assholes don't think I can do my damn job now?" Kathleen snarls. "Wanting to call in someone with a cock to use as a magic stick to do things I'm not capable of?"

"Kath," Decker snaps, jerking Kathleen's eyes to land on her father's. "No one is questioning your abilities, work ethic, or the woman you are standing in church during a meeting as if you're one of us. Walker merely suggested something that might give more abilities than the restrictions of the law give you."

Her fingers curl into fists and she grits, "We don't need it yet. I'm handling it because there isn't anything he can do that I can't at this moment. I'm not a complete idiot and will reach out if I think we need his kind of involvement. Besides, Marvin has his hands busy with a serial case."

"On a first name basis with the man, eh? Nice." Luke chuckles but it ends abruptly when Kathleen glares at him. Throwing his hands palms up into the air he adds, "I'm only pointing out the fact that he'll come running when you call, you know first name basis and all."

"He's the one doing all the calling while I'm ignoring his annoying ass," Kathleen mutters under her breath.

"So, now there's no trace of Murphy Dawson? He was treated for his injury, beat the crap out of his uncle, and has gone fuck-knows where," I spit, wanting to turn the discussion back to what's important.

Kathleen bobs her head. "Correct. I checked the house, and their business, and then double-checked if they didn't own any other property. Then again, he was stalking Cosima. He could easily be obsessed with other women."

"So, you're saying he could be hiding anywhere?" Rourke grumbles. "Someone's barn, shed, basement?"

"Yes," Kathleen says with determination. "From the details I've gathered of him growing up, flowing into working for Bennie, never getting out of that loop? I'd say he's escalating quickly. The first time Parker caught him peeking through the window, he wasn't scared easily 'cause he returned. He was injured this time and mutilated himself to prevent the gunshot wound from being noticed. That right there is a red flag. Yes, it could be he tried to take care of the injury himself, but he did get to the hospital for treatment hours later. Then he assaulted the man who adopted him, and has worked with for two decades. I repeat, escalating. He might return to get revenge. Bennie was knocked unconscious and woke up to find Murphy gone. He doesn't know if any of his weapons are missing because he has a load of them. Murphy could be armed, and in my opinion, he's dangerous."

"It's a good thing we had a team of brothers living with you guys to keep an eye out around the clock. Maybe it's best to stay here with Cosima? At least till Murphy's been caught," Rourke suggests.

I give a shake with my head. "Cosima will never leave her sister's house. Even after she was assaulted, and the fire to the stables and all? She stayed even though her sister has been spending nights at your place. Besides, the creepy fuck could be lying dead in a shed due to gangrene or whatever, never to be found until he's only a heap of bones. We'd be hitting pause on life for no reason at all."

"Or he could be standing in front of a window with a shotgun to put a bullet in your head next time," Kathleen fires back.

"Not possible," Walker rumbles. "He would have been caught on camera before he reached the window."

Kathleen flips him off. "We had him on camera the last time he was there, remember?"

Walker flashes her his own middle finger in return. "Yeah, but since that happened we're all on high alert."

"As we should be," I state. "Anything else we need to discuss, except for ending the fucker on sight if he's trespassing again."

"The new buyer for the Quarter horse Walker trained," Rourke states. "Did you run a background check yet, Walker?"

"Yes, all good," he replies.

Rourke nods. "I'll need the paperwork on my desk before you contact the buyer to set up a meeting. Get the contracts ready as well."

Rourke ends the meeting and I'm finally able to walk out back to where Cosima is watching her sister work with a traumatized horse. Or at least, I thought they were. Instead, the paddock is empty and when I glance around I notice both Cosima and Eastlynne coming toward me each with a hand on a horse's neck.

Narrowing my eyes I recognize both young colts that were in the pasture earlier. "What happened?"

"You should call this one Houdini," Eastlynne grumbles. "He's a freaking escape artist and the one Cosima captured was a situation of monkey see, monkey do."

"Or in this case horsey see, horsey do." Cosima chuckles and it's then I notice her nipples poking through her shirt.

Following the hand that leads to where she's holding the colt by the neck I have no other choice but to laugh a full belly laugh.

"What?" Cosima quips. "I didn't have a rope or a belt so I improvised."

"By using your bra?" I chuckle.

"Works, doesn't it?" She grins and I shake my head as I open the stable for them.

They put the two colts in a stable and close the doors.

"Let me guess, the brown colt broke out again?" Rourke asks as he enters the stable.

Eastlynne bobs her head as she walks up to her old man to hug him and explain what happened. I catch Cosima standing in front of the stall of my chestnut Quarter horse.

"Let's go for a ride while I fill you in on what was discussed in church," I suggest.

She gives me a brilliant smile. "I'd love to."

My chest swells with emotion and I can't resist so I grab the back of her neck and pull her close. Her lips find mine and the tiny gasp coming from her gives me the ability to swoop in and swirl my tongue against hers.

The instant heat flowing through my veins gives me the awareness of our intense connection, and I want nothing more than to bury myself deep. Gripping her hips, I grind my hard length against her to let her feel what she does to me. She moans and when my hands are about to slide to the zipper of her jeans we're interrupted by the clearing of a throat.

Regretfully breaking the kiss, I glance over her shoulder and glare at Luke. "What the hell are you doing here?"

He shoves his hands in the air in a defensive move. "Working. I was checking on the horses. I saw Rourke and Eastlynne coming out of the stable and thought everyone was gone."

This woman has the ability to let me feel as if we're the only ones on this fucking earth. Everything is made just for us. My body hers, her body mine. The sun shines brighter and warmer upon us, the skies are clearer, food tastes better. Holy fuck, I'm turning into a poet with a vagina or two. Like I said; this woman made me fall hard and the impact shakes the ground I walk on.

Now I'm the one clearing my throat to get my bearings and state, "We're going for a ride. You'll have the stable to yourself in a few minutes."

"All good," Luke murmurs and stalks to the back of the stable.

"Can I ride this one?" Cosima questions and points at the chestnut-colored Quarter horse.

Her safety is my first priority and it's why I tell her, "He's an asshole and I'm still training him. I'd rather you take my mother's horse, she trained her herself." I move three stalls down to the white horse.

"Gorgeous," Cosima murmurs.

Chuckling, I tell her, "My mother would refer to her as a pain in her ass because she's white and always lies down in her own shit, resulting in yellow spots."

Cosima grins and just like that, my heart is full and my mood is lightened. Fuck. I really need to get this Murphy situation behind us 'cause I'd like nothing more than to feel this way all the damn time.

We take our time saddling up and when we're taking the path through the pasture, I start to explain everything we found out about Murphy Denver.

"So, you guys think he might be peeping through other women's windows as well?" Cosima questions as she stares straight ahead. "You know what's weird? I can't even remember seeing him at the feed store. I mean, I've been there, obviously, but I don't remember interacting with him. Strange how a brief encounter can be different for one person than the other."

"Everyone's mind works differently. Murphy had history and could have gone to live or work elsewhere if he didn't like his life or situation he was in," I state. "You don't see any of us looking through windows, dick in hand, to feel good."

She wrinkles her nose. "Thanks for that image. Though, thinking of you with your decorated dick in hand is quite nice."

"Every thought involving you is nice," I croak in return.

Cosima shifts in the saddle to turn her good eye toward me. "Right back at ya, handsome."

Her hair flows through the air and the careless look on her face as she turns to watch where she's guiding her horse is making my throat run dry. The ranch life isn't for everyone, and surrounding yourself with people who share the same interests, work ethic, and drive is golden. Finding those strengths within a stunning woman, who makes sparks fly, and returns what's brewing in my chest? One-of-a-fucking-kind.

"Now catch me if you can," she bellows and gives pressure with her legs to urge her horse to go full speed.

I watch her ass rise out of the saddle as she stands in the stirrups. What a sight. There's no doubt I'll catch her…every damn time, and whenever it's needed.