enough of you left for your next of kin to bury.”
The human sneered. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Brave words, but all three men edged back closer to the transport.
Finn joined the conversation, aiming his launcher straight at the transport. “Personally, I’m hoping you stay right where you are. You see, we don’t get much chance for target practice way out here.”
Conlan shrugged. “I gotta tell you, he’s got quite a temper, and I can only hold him back so long. As much as I’ve enjoyed our chat, I’d get going while you still can. I’d hate to have to bury you before we ever had a chance to get to know each other.”
Finn smirked. “Good one, boss.”
Then Conlan whispered to his younger protégée. “Fire one off. Aim for that cluster of boulders on the far side of where they’re standing. I don’t want to kill the bastards, but a few cuts and bruises might go a long way toward convincing them we mean what we say.”
Finn didn’t even hesitate. The explosion had all three humans diving for cover and then scrambling to get back into the transport before their driver could take off without them. The situation was far too serious to be funny, but watching them fishtailing down the dirt road in a cloud of dust had both him and Finn grinning. They both lowered their weapons and took a deep breath.
His friend’s smile was quick to fade. “They’ll be back, won’t they?”
“Yeah, and I’m guessing with reinforcements. We can slow them down a bit, though. Who’s out there watching them?”
“Dallas and Jenkins.”
“Get them on the line and find out which one has the best chance of shooting out both of their back tires. I’m betting that transport only has one spare, and phone service out in the valley is spotty at best. Those boys will have a long, hot walk to get far enough to get reception. That should buy us some time.”
“Will do.”
“I’m going back to let Rafferty know what we’re up against. Call me if there are any more problems.”
If Finn found it odd that Conlan wasn’t going to stick around to see how it all played out, he didn’t say anything. But the blatant attempt to kidnap Maggie and Rose had left Conlan no choice. He had to find out what the hell was really going on. And just like before, he’d never get to the bottom of things without Kat’s inside knowledge of what triggered this whole mess three years ago that.
Given what he was about to do, he should be feeling guilty. Joss and Rafferty had given him a job, a home and a new sense of purpose when he’d been at his absolute lowest point. He hated betraying their trust. Hopefully they’d understand, even if they couldn’t forgive. If he managed to clear Kat’s name, her nieces would get a big part of their life back. Then the three of them could either rebuild their lives in New Eire or even apply to Rafferty for permanent status here on the estate.
And maybe, just maybe, Conlan could finally move on and leave their tumultuous past behind.
Chapter 7
“Kat!”
She batted at the big hand that was gently shaking her shoulder, trying to make it go away, but to no avail. Burying herself under the covers didn’t help, either.
“Damn it, Kat, wake up!”
It finally sank in that unlike so many times in the past, she wasn’t dreaming that Conlan was there with her. He really was standing next to her bed unfastening the shackles on her ankles.
She raised up high enough to squint at him in the dim light. “Conlan, what’s going on?”
He loomed over her, the green of the nearby monitor emphasizing the harsh lines of his face. “Get up and get dressed. Now.”
Then he walked away to stand in the doorway with his back to the room, as if unable to face her. Fear ripped through her mind, clearing out the last of the cobwebs and leaving her shaking. Had Ambrose and his men arrived so soon?
She’d meant what she’d said about not wanting to be taken away in chains in front of Maggie and Rose, but she’d counted on having a chance to at least say goodbye. Was one last hug too much to ask? Instead, her last memory of them would be Maggie crying hard enough to break Kat’s heart and Rose staring back at her with such fear in her eyes.
Kat managed to sit up on the side of the bed, but once