Bucking Bronc Lodge 04 - Cowboy Cop (16 page)

Jordan gently laid her hand on his arm. “I know you, Robert, you understand how these boys feel because you were afraid when you were little.”

“Stop trying to get into my head,” he snarled.

“You know you can’t stay here,” Jordan said quietly. “And you can’t take all these boys with you, so why not let them go? They’re only going to be a liability.”

He flicked his gaze toward the kids, seemingly contemplating her words.

“You’ll still have me,” Jordan continued. “You can get a car or a helicopter and we can leave. But you can’t run with this group. And if you hurt any of them, it won’t even matter if you were innocent or guilty before. The police will just come after you harder.”

“McGregor will never stop anyway,” Dugan bit out.

“Maybe not. But when you were little, you wanted someone to save you from your home. From whatever hurt you.” Despite the fact that he terrified her, she forced herself to stroke his arm in a soothing gesture. “You can do that for these boys. You can save them like you wanted to be saved.”

A heartbeat of silence lingered, riddled with tension, with emotions, with fear. Dugan paced, obviously warring with the decision in his mind. Something was off about the way he was acting, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

It was almost as if he’d suffered a psychotic break. Or perhaps he normally took medication and was off of it. His eyes didn’t seem to be able to focus, and she noticed a nervous tick in his jaw. It was slight, and something new that hadn’t been evident in his TV interviews.

“Dugan,” Miles shouted again. “I’m waiting. Send out the kids and I’m yours.”

Anger once again heated his eyes, and he swung the gun toward Justin. Wayling and Rory were hovering by him, knees drawn, faces strained.

“The little guy with the red hair, come here.”

Jordan’s throat clogged with fear, but Rory stood on shaky legs and walked toward her. Jordan grabbed his hand and pulled him against her side. “Don’t hurt him, Robert.”

That jaw twitched again. Then he poked Rory with the butt of his gun. “Go on, kid, get out of here.”

Relief swirled in Jordan’s chest, and she nodded toward Rory. Dugan pushed her to the door of the barn and held her in front of him, the gun at her throat.

“One of the kids is on his way out, but if you make a move, the woman gets it in the head,” Dugan yelled.

Jordan’s pulse pounded as her gaze met Miles’s. His look was stony, his big body rigid, the fury radiating from him palpable. She tried to offer him a smile, to let him know that everyone was safe for now, but she wasn’t sure she pulled it off.

Her hand fumbled on Rory’s arm. “Go on, sweetie. Run outside to Miles.”

Rory looked up at her with terrified eyes. But she also saw worry and guilt, as if he hated to leave the others behind. “It’ll be all right, I promise,” Jordan whispered. “Just go on. We’ll join you soon.”

She gently nudged him through the door and saw visible relief on Miles’s face. Jordan felt the same except there were still five other boys that needed saving.

She prayed she could talk Dugan into releasing all of them.

Then she would start fighting for her own life.

* * *

M
ILES’S HEART ACHED
as little Rory raced toward him. He had texted Brody their location, and he heard a horse galloping up and glanced back to see Brody heading his way.

He swept Rory up and raced back to the edge of the woods just as Brody slowed the horse to a stop. Brody’s grim expression mirrored his own, but the fact that Dugan had released Rory was a good sign.

“What’s the situation?” Brody asked as he took Rory from Miles and eased him down behind a massive oak.

“Dugan appeared to be trying to get away with Jordan and Timmy when I arrived, but when he saw me, he shoved them back in the barn.” Miles scrubbed his hand down his chin. “Jordan must have convinced him to release Rory. Hopefully he’ll let all the kids go.”

Although he had a bad feeling he wouldn’t release Timmy. Dugan was sadistic. He’d want to hold that bargaining chip over him just to twist the knife deeper in his gut.

He turned to Rory. “Is anyone hurt?”

Rory shook his head no, but his lower lip quivered. “But he gots a gun and a knife and he hitted Miss Jordan.”

Miles’s chest clenched.

“Is she okay?” Brody asked.

Rory nodded. “She tolded him to keep her and let us go.”

Miles pinched the bridge of his nose. Jordan was sacrificing herself to save the boys.

He and Brody exchanged worried looks.

“Stay down,” Brody told Rory. “We’ll see if we can get your buddies out.”

“How’s Lee?” Miles asked.

Brody shrugged. “He’ll make it. The sheriff and one of his deputies are combing the ranch in case Dugan’s accomplice shows up. Another deputy and Cook are standing guard over the campers and employees at the dining hall.” Brody tilted his hat back. “Blackpaw said you discovered that Dugan has a half brother who visited him at the prison?”

“Yes. Blackpaw’s searching for him.”

“Maybe we should call in the feds,” Brody suggested.

“There’s no time,” Miles said. “Let me try to talk Dugan down.”

Brody gave him a warning look. “Make sure that’s your priority.”

Miles ground his teeth. “Of course that’s my priority.”

Concern flickered in Brody’s eyes. “But I know you want Dugan dead. And I understand the reason. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way.”

Conflicting emotions pummeled Miles. “I do want him dead,” he admitted. “But I want Jordan and Timmy and the others out alive. Now trust me to do my job.”

Another second passed, then Brody nodded.

Once again Miles erected that steel wall around his emotions. He had to think like a cop, use his skills, get everyone out alive.

Especially Timmy and Jordan.

Hell, he shouldn’t think that way. It was selfish, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved his son more than his own life.

And he was starting to care for Jordan....

Yes, he’d save them. But he’d save the others, too.

Then he’d deal with Dugan and Ables and find out the truth about the murders so he could make the culprits pay.

* * *

“
T
HANK YOU FOR LETTING
Rory go, Robert,” Jordan said. “That was the right thing to do.”

Dugan raked his hand through his neatly manicured hair, spiking the ends in disarray, then pushed his face into hers. “Don’t sound so condescending. I still have the power here.”

“I know you do,” Jordan said, striving for calm. “And you also know that these kids will only slow you down when it’s time for you to leave. So why not send them outside now?”

He twisted around, stared at the children, cursed, then paced back and forth. His hand was shaking, his jaw twitching, his body jerking erratically. He was losing control and she didn’t know when his fuse might blow.

“Please,” Jordan said softly. “You’ll still have me. That’s all you need.”

His hiss echoed in the silence while Justin and Carlos did their best to keep the boys quiet. Timmy had drawn his knees to his chest and buried his head against them as if he had to shut out the world.

Dugan pointed to Malcolm and Justin. “All right, you two.” He yanked Malcolm by the arm and held the gun at his back. “Don’t try anything, big guy, or your friend gets it.”

Malcolm made a gallant attempt to hide his fear, but Jordan saw his body tremble. Justin frowned up at Dugan. “You big bullies are all the same.”

“You got nerve, kid,” Dugan bellowed.

Justin looked as if he intended to say more; Jordan remembered his story. He had not only been bullied as a kid, but he’d been beaten by his stepfather. The stepfather was arrested only after putting Justin in the hospital twice. Finally his mother left the man, but the mental scars remained. Kids who grew up with abusive parents learned early on how to avoid inciting their wrath.

Either that, or they rebelled when they were older and turned violent themselves. Justin had traveled that path but had come back. Still, Dugan must be pushing his buttons, just as he was doing with Carlos and Malcolm.

“Justin,” she said with a warning note in her voice. “Please take Malcolm outside.”

Dugan jabbed Justin. “You think you’re tough, kid.”

Jordan squeezed Justin’s arm. They couldn’t risk antagonizing the man.

Justin released a shaky breath. “No, sir.”

Dugan twisted his mouth from side to side as if in indecision, but finally motioned toward the door with a wave of the gun. “Go now or you lose your chance.”

Jordan stepped to the door. “Miles, Justin and Malcolm are coming out now.”

Miles emerged from the woods and walked toward them, but Dugan shouted at him to stop. Seconds later, Justin took Malcolm’s arm and the two of them hurried toward Miles. He swept them to safety behind some trees with Rory.

“Thank you, Dugan,” Miles yelled as he stepped back into the clearing, his hands once again splayed as if in surrender. “Now release Jordan and the other boys and I’m all yours.”

“You don’t get it, do you?” Dugan yelled back. “You ruined my life. I intend to do the same to yours.”

“You’ve already done that,” Miles said. “You killed Timmy’s mother and terrified him.”

“Stop this madness,” Jordan said behind Dugan. “Let the boys go and prove you aren’t the monster Miles accused you of being.”

Dugan cursed, rammed his hand against the wall with a bang, then swung the gun toward Carlos and Wayling. Timmy jerked his head up and whimpered. Jordan wanted to go to him, but any sudden movement might set Dugan off, so she remained still, calm, focused.

“You two, get up,” Dugan said. He shoved the gun in Carlos’s face and jerked Wayling’s arm. Wayling grunted in pain, but Carlos simply stared Dugan in the eyes.

These boys had already seen too much violence in their lives. They shouldn’t be so hardened, but at this moment, she was glad they were tough enough to realize that reacting might make things worse.

Carlos gripped Wayling by the shirt collar. “Come on, kid. Let’s get out of here.” He glanced back at Jordan before he stepped outside. “Will you be okay?”

She forced a smile. “Yes, just take Wayling and be there for the other boys. They need you, Carlos.”

A moment of understanding, and pride flickered in his eyes, and Jordan’s heart squeezed. When they ended this situation safely, she would commend all these boys on their bravery.

Miles stepped out to usher Carlos and Wayling to join the others with Brody, then he returned midway again. “Now, Dugan, send Timmy and Jordan out and I’ll give you whatever you want.”

Jordan sucked in a sharp breath. Judging from the maniacal look in Dugan’s eyes, he wanted Miles dead.

And she couldn’t live with that.

“Make the deal,” Jordan said. “Miles can arrange transportation for you. Then you’ll be free. That’s what you want, not to hurt an innocent child like you were once.”

Dugan swung around as if to hit her, and Timmy made a noise then rocked himself back and forth.

For a moment, Dugan seemed mesmerized by his behavior as if it touched some distant memory chord. Then he moved back to the barn door and nudged his gun into the opening.

“All right, McGregor. Get me a helicopter cleared to take off and cross into Mexico, then I’ll let the kid and your lover girl go.”

Jordan held her breath.

Miles shouted back, “I’ll have one here in an hour. Now send out my son.”

“No way,” Dugan said with a bitter laugh. “Get the chopper first. And I want clearance to get to Mexico without cops on my tail.”

“All right,” Miles agreed. “But you have to release Timmy and Jordan first. You can take me instead.”

“Fine,” Dugan said, although Jordan saw the twisted look in his eyes and knew he was lying.

Which meant she had to keep hacking away at him. Find out why he wanted to go to Mexico. If there was someone he was running to.

“One hour,” Dugan shouted back to Miles. “Not another minute longer.” He jerked Jordan up to the doorway and pointed the gun to her temple. “And if I see any cops or hear anyone approaching, she takes a bullet in the head, and you’ll never see your son alive again.”

Jordan reached up to touch Dugan. “Please, think about Timmy. Hurting him is senseless.”

Irrational anger flared in his eyes as he swung his hand back and sent her sailing against the wall. Her head hit the edge, blood trickled into her eyes.

Timmy jumped up and suddenly screamed, “Stop!”

Jordan swayed and reached for him, but Timmy threw himself at Dugan, beating at his legs with his fists.

Dugan grabbed Timmy and flung him off of him, so hard he stumbled and hit the floor. Jordan jumped up to protect him and slammed her weight into Dugan.

The gun went off.

The shot echoed in the air, and pain sliced through her, the world spinning as she fell to the floor.

* * *

R
ED DOTS SPLATTERED
the air in front of Timmy’s eyes. The scream started inside his head, loud and shrill, over and over.

He couldn’t stand it. Couldn’t stop it.

He closed his eyes and covered his ears. He had to stop the noise.

But he could still hear her. His mommy. Crying. Screaming.

The red...it covered everything. His mommy’s neck. Her body. The floor...

And now it was all over Jordan....

No...she couldn’t die and leave him like his mommy had....

He had to stop her from dying. Had to stop the bad man.

He opened his eyes and blinked. The red...there it was again. Jordan on the floor. The man over her.

He jumped up and ran toward him again. This time he would make him stop. He had to.

It was his fault his mama died.

It would be his fault if Jordan did, too....

Chapter Fourteen

Miles normally didn’t flinch at the sound of a gunshot, but this one nearly brought him to his knees. He heaved for a breath, grabbed his gun and started to run forward but Brody called his name.

“Wait,” Brody said in a low voice.

“No, Timmy or Jordan might be hit.”
Dear God, please don’t let them be dead.