Gabe took a deep breath. “After what I just saw? I’d say Allister’s a solid wingman.”
“Yeah, but he has a small anger management problem.”
Chapter Five
“Where’d you leave the garbage?” Curt asked, noticing the obvious right away. Harley, Allister, Draegan, and Gabe were there, but their opposition was nowhere in sight.
“Found a hole,” Allister quickly explained, holding out his hand so Harley could bandage it.
“What happened to you?” Bradley asked.
Draegan sighed. “If we tell you, promise you won’t go dig up Dons and have your round with him?”
“He insulted Ellie,” Allister said, his jaw set.
“It’s probably safe to assume Ellie was the last woman he’ll ever insult.” Gabe laughed. “He never knew what hit him.”
“Any idea where Heather is?” Justin asked.
“We’ve searched this place over. We still lack the area behind the lower barns and loading chute,” Draegan replied.
“We’ve been quietly searching,” Allister said. “We need to be calling out for her but we’re not sure how many more Vance brothers are here.”
“Ah well, hell. If I’d known y’all were coming for supper, I would’ve dressed up the slut.” One of the Vance brothers called out to them before he showed his face.
“Don’t,” Draegan said, stepping in front of Gabe. “How’s it goin’, Rons?”
“You act like we’re old pals, Draegan. Best I remember, last time you stepped foot on my property, you were here for your friend. Me and my brothers woke up the next mornin’ with no idea what had happened.”
“Prepare yourself. You’re about to have a similar morning,” Curt said, unaware of the particulars of Draegan’s last visit but certain they could take this idiot. He couldn’t even decide where to aim his gun.
“We don’t want any trouble. We’re here for Heather. That’s all.” Gabe was trying the reason route.
“Where’s Dons?”
Draegan grinned. “We’ll show you ours if you show us yours.”
Rons looked confused but finally shrugged and glanced down.
“He means the girl,” Justin said. “We want to see Heather and then we’ll show you where your brothers are.”
“Don’t listen to him!” Toms appeared then and pumped his shotgun as he approached from the left.
The men from Trouble each pulled their weapons, too. Everyone turned in circles, pivoting one way or another as dumb and dumber tried to figure out if they could take them.
“You can knock off two of us,” Draegan explained, apparently ready to discuss logistics. “But in case you can’t count, there are seven of us. Two of you.”
“You don’t know where Dons and Kens are.”
“As luck would have it, I do,” Draegan said, working that notorious attitude. “Put the guns down, fellas. Let’s all leave this event today with our lives. You take us to Heather and we’ll take you to Dons and Kens.”
Toms snarled. “You think we’re that stupid? This is our property. We know this land. If you hid our brothers someplace, we’ll find them.”
“Sure you will. But how you gonna find them if you’re dead?” Gabe changed his grip on his weapon, made a sudden leap for Toms and had him pinned to the ground before he knew what happened.
“Damn.” Rons immediately lowered his weapon.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Curt muttered, smirking at Gabe. “Let me guess. Four years is a little long and you’re tired of waiting on a woman?”