Spurred (Steele Ranch 1)

“Sorry to break up all the fun, but we’ve had a lead,” Archer told the group.

“Let’s take this outside,” Riley said, handing off his horse’s lead to Patrick and taking my hand. Shamus took control of Sage and Cord’s horse and we went back out into the fresh air.

We stood with Jamison, Sutton and Archer. Riley’s hand was about my waist—it was as if it were drawn there again and again by a magnet—with Cord at my side. Jamison leaned against the exterior of the stable.

“The New Jersey police sent Dwight Sampers’ records. It’s as long as fu—, sorry, Kady. It’s pretty darn long. Robbery, aggravated assault.” His lips formed into a thin line. “Rape.”

My heart skipped a beat. Rape. All the men’s muscles went taut, as if the word affected them as much as it had me.

I looked to Sutton. Saw he was practically vibrating with anger, and I went over to him, took his hand. It was big and warm, yet very rough with callouses. His gray eyes met mine. “I’m not sure if I should say this in front of Archer, but I’m glad you shot the guy.”

I heard Archer’s chuckle from behind me. “I’m glad he shot the guy, too. I’m even happier he’s dead. While it’s a lot of paperwork, it’s one less fucker…sorry, one less asshole—” Archer closed his eyes. Obviously, he couldn’t moderate his swearing.

“It’s okay. He was an asshole,” I clarified as I glanced at him over my shoulder.

“One less bad guy around,” Archer finished. “Sampers had a deposit in his bank account last week for just under ten thousand dollars.”

“The IRS isn’t notified if it’s under ten grand,” Jamison said and we all looked to him. He hadn’t moved from his spot against the wall.

“That’s right. It was a wire transfer,” Archer added. “We believe that was his payment to come after you. So it makes sense you’ve never heard of the guy since he was just the trigger man. As for Briggs, well, we’ll have to see how he’s connected.”

“Wait.” My brain stalled at the name. “Oh my god. Briggs?” I asked.

Archer perked up at my tone and even Jamison moved closer.

“You know him?” Archer asked.

“Isn’t that the guy—”

“I’ve heard that name—”

“My sister married David Briggs.”

Cord, Riley and I all spoke at once and Archer held up his hand. “Hang on. Your brother-in-law is David Briggs?”

“It appears so.” I shrugged. “My sister, Beth, called me this morning. Said she’d gotten married two days ago. Tossed out the guy’s name. How do you know him?”

“The bank account that wired the money to Sampers is in the name of David Briggs.” Archer remained still, eyeing me closely. “So you’ve never met him before?”

“No. As I said, I never heard the name until the call with Beth.”

“Lea

rn anything about him?”

“Nothing.”

“Where did they meet?” Archer put his hands on his hips.

“Rehab.”

I shared Beth’s quick history with drugs ending with her stay, then departure from New Beginnings.

“We heard part of the call,” Riley added. “The doctor couldn’t say anything about Briggs. Patient confidentiality. But she did tell us he checked himself out of the facility a day before Kady’s sister.” He paused for a moment and when he spoke again, his voice was different. Darker. “This was all planned.”

I whipped my head up. “What? What are you saying, that David Briggs paid someone to kill me? Why? God, is Beth in danger?” She was back on drugs and unbalanced and alone—and married—to someone who seemed to want me dead. Someone ruthless and cunning. Beth may have ventured into the darker parts of life by doing drugs, yet because of it was still really naïve in some ways. Gullible.

“Do you have a will, Kady?” Jamison asked.