Chapter 13

They landed at a small airport just outside of Charlotte the next morning before eight. When they emerged from the small terminal, Clint called out a greeting. “Yo! Colt!”

Ellie stopped dead in her tracks as the tall man standing at the curb beside a big double cab pickup truck turned. Until that moment, she’d been convinced that she’d never seen men more handsome or sexy than Cam and Clint Marsh.

Colton Marsh was a good two inches taller than his brothers with the same coal black hair that was just starting to gray at the temples, eyes the color of smoke and a body that made a woman want to give thanks for having eyes in her head.

He met Clint with a hug. “Good to see you little brother. It’s been too long.”

“Yeah, you keep promising to bring your tired old ass for a visit.”

“Guilty. Hey beautiful,” he said to Lily. “You decided to upgrade to a better Marsh model yet?”

“Tempting, but no,” Lily said and hugged him. Ellie noticed how small Lily looked in Colton’s arms. Colton released her and looked at Cam. “Come here, Cameron.”

Cam and Colton embraced in that manly manner and then Cam turned and took Ellie’s hand. “Ellie, this is our brother Colton. Colt, this is Ellie.”

Colton took her hand and looked down into her eyes. “So, this is the one? I see why. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ellie.”

Ellie damn near swallowed her tongue. Talk about sex appeal. She loved Cam with her whole heart and still she couldn’t help but be affected by Colton. Not only was he good looking with sex appeal in spades, but his voice could coax ice to melt on the polar cap.

“It’s so nice to meet you.”

He smiled and released her hand. “Okay, load up. Jed and his crew are waiting for us. And there’s something I want to talk to Clint and Lily about on the way.”

They all piled into the truck. “So, what’s up?” Clint asked from the front seat beside his brother.

“Jed. You know we go way back. In the Rangers together. Well, his family’s got some trouble.”

“What kind of trouble.”

“Poisoned cattle and horses. They lost a lot of their boarding business and there’s some kind of problem with some old deed from a hundred years ago or some shit that has them tangled up in a legal mess. Jesse…” He looked over his shoulder at Cam. “You remember him from your rodeo days, don’t you? Jesse Nash?”

“Hell yeah.” Cam said. “World Champion how many times?”

“A lot.” Colton said. “Anyway. Jesse and Jed’s wife, Mik have been on the circuit for a few months and stand a good chance at Nationals but even their winnings weren’t enough to keep the ranch from going under. Jed’s borrowed all he can, and I don’t know if it’ll be enough.”

“And?” Clint asked.

“And I want to help.”

“You mean you want us to help.”

“That about sums it up little brother. I can put up a hundred k, but I need someone to match that.”

“A loan?” Clint asked.

“An investment. I don’t expect Jed to sell any part of the ranch, but I’d like to get first dibs on his stock and since I’ve been thinking about expanding my breeding program, I think I might like to do something with stock for the rodeo. And tap into Mik and Jake’s training program. Jake’s the younger brother, by the way.”

Clint looked back at Lily who sat beside Ellie before he answered. “I don’t quite see where we’d get a return on the investment.”

“You’d get paid back, Clint. Jed’s a stand-up guy. And a fellow rancher, and independent. He’s fighting the same battles we all face.”

Clint looked back at Lily again and she spoke up. “Mind if I jump in?”

“Course not,” Colton replied.

“How about we deal with what we came here for and then, if you want, we’ll all have a sit down with Jed and see if we can figure out a way to help. I know he’s your friend and if you trust him that’s good enough for me. But a hundred thousand is a lot to shell out so we need to make sure it’s going to keep him from losing the place and we’re not just pouring money into something that can’t be saved.”

“Fair enough,” Colton agreed.

Ellie sat listening and watching. What amazing people the Marsh family was to be willing to try to help someone like Colton’s friend just because Colton asked. She thought about it the rest of the drive.

“You okay, hon?” Cam asked as they turned onto a drive off the main road with a sign beside it announcing the Rocky River Ranch.

“Yeah, fine.” She gave him a smile and hoped it looked more confident that she felt. Truthfully, she felt little silly asking strangers for help, particularly this type of help.

A tall man in a worn Stetson was just climbing down off a horse as Colton pulled the truck up in front of one of the barns. The man smiled as Colton got out of the truck. Everyone else piled out and followed Colton as he approached the man.

“Colton.” The man said with a smile.

“Jed.” Colton clasped the hand Jed offered. “How you doin’, bro?”

“Still alive and kickin’.”

“Amen to that. These are my brothers, Clint and Cam.”

“Clint,” Clint said as he shook Jed’s hand. “And my wife, Lily.”

“Pleasure,” Jed shook both their hands and Cam’s, then looked at Ellie.

“And I guess that makes you Ellie.”

Good lord. He was as bad as the Marsh men were. Or as good. Where the hell were all these fine fellows when she was alone in North Carolina?

“Yes,” she finally found her tongue. “Thank you for agreeing to help me, Mr. Nash.”

“Not sure I’ll be any help, but my better half and her sisters might be able to lend you a hand. And we’re happy to do it. Colton and I go back a ways. He saved my sorry ass more than a time or two so the way I see it, I owe him.”

“Like hell,” Colton argued. “I remember more than a few times I’d have bit the big one if you weren’t at my back.”

“Those were the days, brother,” Jed said and then gestured to the house.

“Well come on in. Mik’s inside with Jake and Jesse. Her sisters will be along shortly.”

Everyone went inside and introductions were made. Ellie was stunned. Jed’s brothers Jesse and Jake were just as handsome as he was and his wife, Mik was stunning.

It took about ten minutes before Lily and Mik were sitting at the kitchen table with Jake, yakking away about breeding programs and training regimens. Jed, Colton, and Clint got into discussions about ranching and Cam and Jesse were having a fine time talking about the rodeo.

Ellie was feeling very much the odd man out until a beautiful willowy blonde-haired woman walked in.

“Teddy!” Mik got up and introduced her sister to everyone. Teddy shook Ellie’s hand, held onto it and the smile faded from her face.

A moment later, she put her arms around Ellie and hugged her. “It’s okay, you’re among friends,” she whispered.

Ellie was shocked at the wave of relief that washed over her. “Thank you,” she said when Teddy pulled back.

“Come on,” Teddy took her hand. “Let’s go into the den where it’s quiet. Get acquainted.”

Ellie looked over her shoulder at Cam as Teddy led her away. He gave her a smile and made a move to follow, but Jed put his hand on Cam’s shoulder and leaned close to say something that Ellie didn’t catch. Whatever he said, Cam didn’t follow.

“So, Jed tells me you’ve got a bit of a mystery on your hands,” Teddy said as she took a seat on the couch and patted the cushion beside her.

“You could say that,” Ellie replied.

“You want to tell me?”

Ellie cut her eyes to the people in the kitchen then back to Teddy. “I’m afraid this will sound…crazy.”

“Honey, trust me, I’ve seen my share of crazy.”

“Well,” Ellie cleared her throat and paused to compose her thoughts. “Here goes.”

She kept it as concise as possible and even then, it took her ten minutes to tell the tale. When she finished Teddy nodded. “You have the scroll and box with you?”

“Yes.” Ellie reached for her shoulder bag that she’d set on the floor and pulled out the scroll.

Teddy reached for it but stopped at the sound of a woman’s voice. “Hold on Teddy.”

Ellie looked to see a beautiful tall red-haired woman, standing in the doorway. “Hi,” the woman said. “I’m Alex. Teddy and Mik’s sister.”

“Ellie.”

“Hi, Ellie. Sorry, I wasn’t eavesdropping—oh hell—yeah, I was. But I wanted to hear the story.”

“So why can’t I touch the scroll.” Teddy asked.

“Because of that,” Teddy walked over to take seat in a chair adjacent to the couch and pointed at Ellie’s necklace. “Haven’t you been watching? If she moves and it moves away from her skin the light inside it dims.”

“Really?” Teddy looked at the necklace. “Show me.”

Ellie lifted the chain so that the gem was not against her skin then let it fall back into place. Teddy’s eyes widened. “Very cool.”

“Touch it first,” Alex suggested.

“May I?” Teddy asked Ellie.

“Sure.”

“What’s going on?” Mik asked as she and Lily walked into the room.

Alex filled them in, and they sat down to watch. Teddy reached out and lifted the gem from where it rested against Ellie’s chest, closing her hand around it. She closed her eyes and for a few seconds there was no sound or movement in the room.

When Teddy’s body suddenly arched back and her eyes flew open, Ellie jumped. She was, however, the only person in the room who didn’t gasp when light shot from between Teddy’s closed fingers.

It apparently scared Mik because she jumped up and hurried to Teddy, crawling up on the couch behind her and wrapping her arms around Teddy. Ellie pried Teddy’s hand open. Once the gem was free of her hand, Teddy slumped back against Mik, her eyes closed and breath fast and hard.

Ellie’s own heart was racing. What had she done? If Teddy was hurt everyone would blame her and rightly so. She should never have let Teddy touch the gem. Her eyes moved to the doorway, and she saw Cam standing there. He hurried across the room and sat beside her, wrapping one arm around her.

“It’ll be okay,” he whispered.

“What if she’s hurt?” Ellie whispered back. “Maybe we should call—”

“Teddy?” Alex’s voice had her turning to look at Teddy.

Teddy’s eyes were open. She looked at Ellie then at Alex. “She’s not human.”

“What?” Mik blurted from behind Teddy. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t…I can’t explain it.” Teddy said. “I just know. That necklace isn’t from this plane of existence. It’s from another place. A place where Ellie comes from. Or at least where her people come from.”

“That’s crazy,” Cam, said when everyone else gaped at Teddy in shock.

“Maybe not.” Alex said and got up to wedge herself on the couch between Teddy and Ellie. “I may be able to help.”

“How?”

“I can…” She cut her eyes at Mik and when Mik nodded, turned her attention back to Ellie. “I can talk to the dead.”

That sent a shiver down Ellie’s spine, and she fumbled for Cam’s hand. If what Alex said was true, then could she talk to Ellie’s father? He held all the answers.

It seemed worth a try but for some reason Ellie was terrified. “I…color me chicken but this all scares me.”

“It’ll be okay,” Alex assured her. “I just need something that belonged to someone in your family who has crossed over.”

“The scroll.” Ellie said and started to hand it to her then pulled it back. “No, wait there’s something else.”

She pulled the scroll from her. Alex held out her hand and Ellie placed the scroll in it. Teddy reached out and put her hand on the scroll. They both extended hands to Ellie. She clasped hands with them, and Alex spoke. “Okay, now I want you to think about whom this belonged to. You don’t have to tell me, just think about them.”

Ellie did as Alex instructed. She closed her eyes, thought about her father, about the sound of his voice, his smell, the way she felt safe, and loved when he held her. She summoned every memory she had of him and got so lost in the memories that when Alex spoke, she jumped.

“Your father was a White Horse. I know that’s your last name, but in the beginning, when his people first came here, they disguised themselves as white horses, big powerful creatures with long flowing manes and tails. When the door to their world closed, trapping them here, they adopted the name Whitehorse.”

Teddy spoke up next. “Your father left you this scroll and the necklace in hopes that you would be able to open that door and allow your people to return home.”

Ellie looked around at the other people in the room and the expression on their faces mirrored what she felt. Disbelief.

“I…I don’t want you to take this the wrong way because I’m really grateful to you.” She looked around at everyone. “To all of you. But…but this can’t be true. I’m human. Just like you. Just like my father. He wasn’t some…he was…”

“Fae.” Alex said.

“Fae?” Cam blurted. “What the heck is that?”

“Fairy.” Teddy answered.

“That’s just plain crazy.” Cam argued.

“I have to agree,” Clint said from the doorway.

Ellie looked around again and finally back to Alex. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, honey.”

“Tell me what you saw or sensed. Tell me about my father.”

Alex smiled. “Okay, I get it. A test?”

“Oh no! No!” Ellie gave Alex’s hand a squeeze. “It’s just that I haven’t seen him since I was very young and…and…”

“It’s okay.” Alex said. “He’s a big man. Tall and brawny sort of. Black hair. Really black, like yours. And blue eyes. He smells like Camel cigarettes and clove gum. He likes dark ales rather than beer and loves to sing. Painting is—was—one of his passions. That was the only way to lose himself and escape the pain.”

“What pain?” Ellie asked.

“Of losing you. Your mother. All of you. His entire family gone. Taken from him.”

“I wasn’t taken from him.”

Alex looked over Ellie’s shoulder. “As good as. If he hadn’t left you with your grandmother, you might have been taken. It was the only safe place for you; he hid you from the Dark Fae by leaving you with one of their own.”

“Dark Fae?”

“Light and Dark. There are people of both everywhere,” Alex replied. “Your father was Light. Your mother Dark. That’s why her family exiled her. She chose the Light.”

“Enough,” Ellie said and released Alex’s hand. “Thank you. I mean that. But I…god am I dreaming this? Am I still in that hospital having some kind of medicated hallucination or dream? This just can’t be real.”

“But it is,” Teddy said softly. “And you have to finish what you started, Ellie.”

“Which is?”

“Take the scroll home. Recite the words and see what happens. I think…” She looked at Alex. “I think there’s someone looking for you. Someone important to you.”

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “Do what she said, Ellie. It’s the only way to know for sure.”

Ellie turned to Cam. “What do you think?”

“I think you need to do what’s right for you. And whatever that is, I’m with you.”

She nodded then looked around at everyone else. “Thank you. So much. I’m in your debt and if there’s ever anything I can do to repay your kindness, all you have to do is say, and I’ll do it. No matter what it is.”

Mik got up and gave her a kiss on the top of the head. “How are you at washing potatoes? I was thinking that maybe we should have a cookout. Steaks on the grill, potatoes some fresh green beans and if I can talk Teddy into it, a fresh apple pie for dessert.”

“I am a most excellent potato washer,” Ellie said with a grateful smile. “And if Teddy doesn’t want to be bothered, my grandmother did teach me how to make one heck of an apple pie.”

“You’re hired,” Mik said and headed for the kitchen, spouting orders. “Jed, you and the guys make a beer run, fire up the grill and clean off the picnic tables. Oh, and how about cleaning out the fire pit and bringing in a fresh load of wood. We can have a fire, it’s gonna be cool enough.

“Teddy you and Alex help me and Ellie. Make some tea, find the tablecloths…”

Ellie looked at Cam to see him smiling as Mik’s voice kept going. “It’s going to be okay, honey,” he said softly. “Whatever you decide, we’ll face it together.”

“I love you,” she replied.

“And I love you. Now, let’s kick back for tonight, okay?”

She nodded. Surrounded by good people with the promise of good food and company, it was a welcome respite.

*****

Ellie climbed aboard the plane and pulled out her phone. She wished she’d brought her digital SLR with her, but since she had not, she’d taken a ton of photos of the cookout with her phone.

Strangely, after having known them for only a day, she felt she was leaving behind friends when she said goodbye to Mik, Teddy and Alex, as well as Jed, Jake, and Jesse.

Ellie smiled as she looked at the photos. She was happy to hear Clint, Colton, and Cam talking on the way to the airport about helping Jed and his family out. She wasn’t sure of the details but from the way it sounded, it was going to be something of a business relationship, which was the only thing Jed would agree to.

She had been surprised that Colton had announced he was going to Florida with them. He said he needed to visit with his brothers for a while and now was a good a time as any. Besides, he wanted to talk to a couple of the breeders in Florida about some horses, as he was serious about expanding his program.

Cam took a seat beside her, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. That’s the last thing she remembered until he shook her to tell her they were landing. The moment they arrived back at the ranch everyone got busy with chores. She volunteered to help, and Lily put her to work mucking out stalls.

Ellie didn’t mind. She needed something to do. If she just sat around, she’d obsess about what Alex and Teddy had told her and about getting back to the secret house. That’s what she really wanted to do but Cam had made her promise she wouldn’t go alone.

She spent most of the afternoon in the barn. As she was finishing, she met Cam on his way to the barn. “I’m starting to get hungry,” he said.

“I know Lily’s busy. I could fix dinner.”

“She’d probably appreciate that. I know I would.”

“Okay, great. What should I fix?”

“Just rumble around in the pantry and freezer and fix whatever’s available.”

“On it as soon as I get a shower.”

Cam grinned. “Want some help with that?”

Ellie laughed. “I’d love it, but then we probably wouldn’t get any dinner.”

He chuckled and grabbed her for a quick kiss. “Okay, rain-check on that. Clint, Colt, and I should be done in an hour or so. Just gonna move some stock from the western pasture.”

“Ok. Tell Lily I’ll have dinner ready.”

“Will do.” He gave her another kiss and hurried into the barn.

Ellie went to the garage apartment, showered, and got dressed then made her way to the main house. There were pork chops in the freezer and plenty of canned vegetables in the pantry. She got busy cooking.

Less than an hour later, she was taking biscuits out of the oven when Clint and Colton walked in.

“Where’s Lily?” Clint asked.

“I thought she was working in the breeding barn?”

“Still?”

Ellie set the pan of biscuits on top of the range and turned to him. “I don’t know. Want me to go check?”

“No, I’ll go get her.”

“Get who?” Cam asked as he walked in.

“Lily.”

“I’ll go with you,” Colton offered.

“Oh. Well, make tracks bros.” Cam said. “I’m starving.”

As Clint and Colton headed out, Cam turned to Ellie. “That smells good.”

“Let’s hope it tastes that way.”

He reached for her hand and pulled her to him. “I kinda like this.”

“What?”

“Finding you in the kitchen at the end of the day.”

“You mean you like having someone cook for you?”

“No, I mean having you waiting for me. I could get used to this.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

His kiss silenced everything but thoughts of how much she wished life were like this. Her and Cam together, starting and ending their days together.

“She’s gone!” Clint’s voice had them breaking apart.

“What?” Cam asked.

Clint held up a phone. “This is all I found.”

“Where could she have gone?” Ellie asked. “Are any of the trucks missing?”

“No. And all the horses are accounted for.”

“I’ll call it in,” Cam said and reached for his phone. At that same moment, Ellie’s phone rang.

They all looked at it, lying on the table. The screen lit with an ‘Unknown’ caller ID. She looked at Cam.

“Answer it.”

Ellie punched the answer icon and then the speaker button. “Hello?”

“If you want your friend to live, you’ll come to the Whitehorse place. Alone. Anyone comes with you, she dies. The police show up, she dies. You’ve got half an hour, or she dies.”

The call ended. Ellie looked at Cam. “I have to go.”

“Not alone.”

“You heard him, Cam! If I’m not alone—“

“I said no. You drop Clint, Colton, and I off on the main road. We’ll work our way through the woods. No one will know we’re there. You just wait five minutes before you turn in.”

“But—”

“But nothing. We’re going.”

With that, Cam and his brothers headed for the back room where the gun cabinet was located. Five minutes later, they were all crammed in Ellie’s truck, headed for her father’s place.

Ellie was so nervous her hands were shaking on the steering wheel. She stopped just shy of the drive into her father’s property. “We won’t let anyone get hurt,” Cam said. “I promise. Just give us five minutes and then go in.”

“I’m scared.” It didn’t make her feel any better to admit it.

“I know. We all are. But if we work together, we’ll be fine. I need you to be strong, okay? Just go in and ask what they want. See if you can stall, ask them to release Lily. Make sure she’s okay and try to bargain with them. We’ll be there. We won’t let anyone hurt either of you. I need you to trust me.”

“I do.”

“That’s my girl.” He gave her a quick kiss then he and his brothers got out of the truck and disappeared into the thick growth that bordered the property.

Ellie pulled out her phone and watched the seconds tick by. When five minutes had passed, she made the turn onto the driveway.

There were two black cars parked in front of the house. Two men guarded each car, one on either side. She pulled up behind the last car, killed the engine, and got out.

“Where’s Lily?” She asked loudly. “I want to see her.”

One of the men, a big man built like a tank walked over to her, brandishing a gun. “Let’s go.”

Ellie prayed that Cam and his brothers were watching. Her legs were shaking so hard she felt like a walking marionette. The man gestured toward the back of the second car. She stopped when she reached it and looked at the man she now thought of as Tank.

“Where’s Lily?”

Tank gestured to his partner, a short wiry man with a rat face. “Open it.”

Rat face reached inside the car and a moment later the trunk opened. “Lily!” Ellie nearly dove into the trunk when she saw Lily inside it, bound and gagged. But Tank grabbed her by the hair on the back of her head and yanked her back.

“Let go!” Ellie screamed and reached up to dig her fingernails into his hand and wrist. “Let go of me!”

He yelped as her fingernails broke skin. “Fucking bitch!” He raised his other hand, the one holding the gun. Ellie slammed her eyes closed, expecting the blow. But another voice rang out and the man holding her stilled.

“Enough.”

Her eyes flew open. Tank released her and stepped back but kept the gun trained on her.

Simon Dansforth stood beside the opened backseat door of the car, with Rat Face holding the door.

“There is no need for violence,” he said.

“Then let Lily go.” Ellie insisted.

“In good time, my dear. First you will take me to the treasure.”

Ellie thought of the scroll and the box with the egg in it that was still in her shoulder bag in the truck. She didn’t know why she hadn’t taken those things out when they returned home and now wished she had. But what if giving those things to Dansforth was the only way to save Lily?

That question prompted a decision. Lily’s life was more important. Even if she never uncovered the truth about those items or her father, she couldn’t risk Lily’s life. But maybe there was a way to protect Lily and herself. If she could get to the secret house maybe she’d be safe.

“Fine.” With her mind made up, she screwed up her courage. “I’ll take you. But only if you move Lily out of that trunk. You can tie her up in the house but I’m not budging until then.”

Simon’s eyes met hers and for a few moments they engaged in a stare-down. Ellie refused to blink or let her gaze flicker. She had to show him she meant business. Finally, he nodded. With his eyes still locked with hers, he spoke to his men. “Move her into the house. Make sure she’s secure.”

“And don’t hurt her.” Ellie added.

“And do not harm her,” Simon added.

The men got Lily out of the trunk and took her to the house. As they had no key, simply kicked it in. Only a few minutes passed before the men emerged from the house.

“I have honored my part of the arrangement,” Simon said. “Now it’s your turn.”

“I need to see that Lily’s okay.”

He gestured toward the house and spoke to his men. “Accompany her.”

Tank and Rat Face accompanied her. She found Lily tied up in the kitchen to one of the old wooden chairs. She went to Lily and hugged her. “Clint, Cam, and Colton are out there. They’ll be here soon. Just hang on.”

Lily was trying to talk around the gag, but Ellie ignored her and left the house. She went to her truck and got her bag and keys. She’d need those to get into the secret house.

“What are you doing?” Simon asked.

“I need my phone. There’s a map on it.”

“Show me.”

She pulled out her phone and called up the image of the map. He took the phone from her. “Where did you obtain this?”

“Does it matter?”

“No, I suppose not.” He handed it back to her. “Very well, proceed.” He gestured toward Tank and Rat Face. “You two, with me. The rest of you make sure our guest stays put.”

Ellie headed to the side yard at a brisk pace. By the time she reached the back yard, she was a good ten yards ahead of Simon, Tank, and Rat Face. Simon called out, ordering her to slow down.

She didn’t want to, but she did. At least for a minute or two. The light was fading with the onset of twilight. The darker it got, the faster she walked. Twice Simon ordered her to slow and twice she did. But they were getting close to the lake, and she needed to get a lead on them for her plan to succeed, so the third time he ordered her to wait, instead of slowing or stopping, she broke into a run.

*****

Cam was hunkered down behind a clump of palmettos with his brothers along the side of the yard. The two men Simon had left were leaning against the car. One was smoking and diddling with his phone and the other was throwing a knife into the ground, over and over.

“Clint, if you work around to the back, you can get in through the kitchen and get Lily. Colton and I can take care of these two.”

Clint nodded. “Give me five minutes. I’ll text when I’m in place.

“Go.” Colton said.

They waited as Clint disappeared into the darkness.

“They’re armed,” Colton whispered.

“Yep.”

“You prepared for this to get ugly?”

Cam looked at his older brother. He imagined Colton had seen a lot worse in his time with the Rangers. “Whatever it takes.”

It seemed like an hour before his phone vibrated. He didn’t need to look at it, he knew it was Clint. “You ready?” he whispered.

“Born that way, little brother.”

With that, Colton stood. For a man so big he moved very quietly, in fact, silently. They crept up to the edge of the yard. The men were on the other side of the car, their backs to Cam and Colton.

Colton signaled for Cam to take the right and he’d go left then held up one hand with three fingers extended. Cam nodded. They split up, hunkered down, and eased their way to either end of the car. Cam positioned himself in front of the car counted to three then stood with his gun trained on the man closest to him.

“Don’t move.”

“Mutha fuc—” The second man never finished his sentence, nor did he have time to pull his weapon before Colton cold-cocked him in the back of the head with his gun then leveled the pistol at the man left standing between him and Cam.

“You’ll be wanting to toss that gun to the ground,” Cam advised the man. “Slowly.”

The man looked from Cam to Colton and then slowly pulled the gun from where it was shoved in the waistband of his pants.

“Keys,” Colton said and held out his hand.

The man placed the keys in Colton’s hand. Colton reached inside the car to release the hood of the trunk.

Between him and Cam, they had both of the men tied and in the trunk before Clint emerged from the house with Lily.

“You okay?” Cam asked her.

“Yeah. But Ellie went with them Cam.”

“I know.”

“You know where they’re going?” Colton asked.

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s go.”

Cam looked at Lily and Clint. “Why don’t you call the Sheriff’s department and wait here on them? Colton and I will track them down.”

“Not a chance.” Lily argued.

Clint shook his head. “We stay together.”

“Fine. Let’s do it.” Colton said.

With Cam leading the way, they headed out into the darkness.