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After the cops threatened Harloe about the investigation and insurance payout, I went to her brothers for help. Using their connections, we got access to the few security feeds from businesses downtown. It sounds like that has finally paid off.
“We’ve got something better,” Kincaid says, stepping forward with a smirk on his face and his thumbs hooked on his belt. “We have the asshole who did it.”
I glance from him to Will, not believing it until Will nods.
“Where?”
Kincaid tips his head. “In the old barn on the East pasture. I sent the crew home for the day while you sort this out.”
I pull out my phone and shoot a text to Lawson, Aiden, and East. This might not be strictly club business, but it affects our town. And it affects Harloe, who the guys won’t stop fawning over every time she’s around. They’ve become protective since she moved in.
Thankfully, Harloe isn’t here right now. She and Nora are having a girls’ day, boot shopping before Sunday dinner.
“Let’s go,” I say when my phone pings with texts, confirming the guys will meet us there.
It’s a short drive out to the East pasture, and I appreciate the privacy out here. An old barn is surrounded by miles of empty, private land. There’s no way anyone will hear what’s happening.
I climb out of the truck, turning to Kincaid and Will as another truck approaches. Liam climbs out from the driver’s seat, while Asher pops open the other door.
“You realize we’re keeping the cops out of this,” I say as Harloe’s brothers surround me.
“We keep cops out of most shit around here. Especially after Zander’s buddies took over.” Asher smirks.
“What I’m saying is, what’s about to happen might be something you don’t want to know about. You’re welcome to stay out of it.”
“That asshole tried to kill our sister,” Will says, straightening his hat. “We’re here to help you deal with the problem.”
I nod, spotting my guys riding up on their bikes. They don’t question Kincaid or Harloe’s brothers being here, and it sinks in how involved we’ve become in each other’s business for that to be the case.
Cowboy country is growing on me. We have our differences, but at a fundamental level, we agree on one thing: we protect our own.
Kincaid leads the way to the old barn. The door creaks on its hinges as he tugs it open. The well-trafficked parts of Ironside Ridge were renovated with top-of-the-line equipment and remodels in recent years, but this desolate sliver of land has been left untouched.
The smell of old hay and wood chips adds a musky, moldy stench to the air.
Dirt and hay litter the empty barn. A few stalls sit on one side. At the back, a rickety ladder leads to a loft overhead.
Beams stretch the length of the ceiling. At the center, a man is strung up by his arms. His wrists and ankles are bound, and the rope is pulled taut so his toes barely touch the ground.
I’m not usually impulsive, but when his dark eyes gleam at the sight of us stepping inside and he grins, I almost pull my gun out and plant a bullet in his head. Instead, I stride up, slamming my fist into his face. I grab him by the throat until his eyes begin to widen.
“We need answers,” Lawson reminds me.
He doesn’t intervene, but he’s right, which is the only reason I let the piece of shit go. He dangles, his toes dragging against the ground as he sways.
“Templeton Wallace,” Kincaid says from where he stands with his arms crossed, leaning against a post. “He got out of a federal prison six months ago after spending eight years inside for involuntary manslaughter.”
“How the fuck did you learn all that?”
Kincaid shrugs. “Zander isn’t the only one with friends on the force.”
I can’t decide if that’s going to be helpful or a problem, but given he’s the one offering up his barn, now isn’t the time to dissect it.
“Why the fuck am I here?” Templeton spits, and a wad of blood lands near my black boot.
East chuckles. “Please let me get my hands on this asshole.”
I glance over and find him flipping a straight razor open and closed. East is an easygoing guy for the most part. But I’ve heard rumors about how he made a name for himself skinning club enemies alive. I didn’t believe it until now.
