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Duke pats her head, whispering in her ear softly. I love my sister, but she’s thinking emotionally right now. Keeping Rosie safe and finding who’s behind this is our best chance at finding her mother.
“You should know that we took a thirty percent profit cut at the sale yesterday. Harry approached me again about the M-59. He knew we sold for shit and offered us a case of syringes.” Cash leans closer to me.
I exhale, pinching the bridge of my nose as he speaks.
“Our cattle weight was standard, but I swear every other batch was heavier than I’ve ever seen, drawing our sales into the ground. He was just waiting there, knowing it would happen.”
“For now, we do nothing. This crisis takes precedence, and with all the scrutiny we’re under, we can’t risk the Feds sniffing around our cattle business too.”
Cash nods. “Agreed. What are you gonna do if she wants to go home?”
I glance up at Dolly as Duke hands her a tissue. “I guess I’ll have to kidnap her myself.”
33
ROSIE
My neck aches as my eyes flutter open. Strong arms lift my body up, and I see the hallway of the ranch house. The voices of Duke and Sterling reach my ears. After all the trauma from this last week, I feel exhausted. My body is craving more sleep to continue recovering and healing my many minor injuries.
The familiar scent of cedar and leather fills my nostrils, and I know Holden is taking me to his bed to sleep.
I guess the whole family knows now. What a lucky way to break the news of me sleeping in his bed. Dolly can’t really be mad about it after I was kidnapped and held for ransom.
I close my eyes again, letting myself drift back into a peaceful sleep.
When I awake again, I’m immediately aware that I’m not in Holden’s bed. The moving vehicle is slowing down. My eyelids flutter open, revealing the leather interior of the truck.
“Where are we?” I start to sit up, turning to face Duke.
I see Holden’s ruggedly handsome face in the driver’s seat. He turns to face me, not smiling. “We’re nearing the border to New Mexico.”
I blink in confusion. “I thought we were already at the ranch?”
Was it a dream?
I glance in the back seat for Duke, but it’s empty. Holden and I are alone. My stomach clenches.
“We stopped by for a bit, but you and I have a flight to catch.”
My heart hammers inside my chest. Something feels off, but I don’t know what.
“A flight to where?” I ask, trying to remain calm.
“Oregon.”
Oregon?!
“What’s in Oregon?”
“A man who can help us figure out who did this to you and why.”
I try sitting up more, but a flash of pain shoots through my side. I gasp, my hand cupping it tightly.
“What’s wrong?” He reaches for me but stops right before touching me.
I blow out a slow breath, moving myself upright much slower. “I’m fine. I just don’t understand what the plan is. Why do we have to fly there together to see this man?”
We pass a sign that says Welcome to New Mexico.
