“You can count me in,” Marcel growled. “This one is going to be taking it easy for a while.” He shot Lucy a look that said not to cross him or there would be hell to pay.
Ben turned to Ashton. “This is because of me.”
“Maybe,” Reg answered. “But we don’t leave people behind, and if that’s the case, then you need help. And if you think running is the answer, you’re crazy. These people followed you here, and they will follow you wherever you try to go. Once the guys get here, this will be the safest place for you.” He seemed to be considering things. “What I don’t understand is why they shot Lucy. I mean, he doesn’t look like you at all. And if Dallas’s guys are pros, why did they miss?”
Ben swallowed hard. “Dallas is like a cat. He likes to play with his prey before the kill. It’s fun for him to watch people sweat and keep them on edge until he decides to finish them off. That’s the way he does business, and I’m sure it’s what he’s doing here. The sadistic son of a bitch.” He tried not to shake as he wondered what Dallas’s next move would be and who would be hurt. Dallas was ruthless. He had spoken to Ben in the softest tones, and yet the cold heartlessness behind his eyes had left Ben chilled.
“You may not know it, but Ashton and I are bulldogs, and we rip fucking cats to pieces,” Reg said as a firm knock on the door made them all jump. Ben hated how on edge he felt. Given the past few years, he should be getting used to it by now.
“What happened?” the sheriff asked as he trudged into the room.
Ashton took charge, explaining that they were checking out some tracks in the snow when someone took a couple of shots at them. “I’m fairly sure we were set up. Someone is trying to send us a message that they can get to us any time they want to.”
The sheriff crossed his arms over his chest, studying Ashton as though he was out of his depth. Ben had to give Ashton credit—he held his own, staring right back, forcing the sheriff to break the stalemate. “This is war, and I’ve seen plenty of that in my life. Whoever is behind this attack, he wants us on edge so that when he lets us know what his price is, we’ll be willing to give him what he wants just to get him to go away.”
Ben already knew what the price was going to be. Him, delivered on a silver platter. Of course, once Dallas got what he wanted, Ben would just disappear one day—like his friend Christopher. Dallas’s ego would be satisfied, and there would be no need to keep Ben around.
“Is that so?” the sheriff said. “So you have this all figured out?”
Ashton mimicked the sheriff’s posture. “Don’t you? After all, this is your job. I’ve been shot at, had people sneaking onto my ranch, letting loose my horses, and making anonymous complaints about how I care for my livestock. Most of that shit is low-level harassment, but I’ve reported all of it.”
Some of the bluster went out of the sheriff. “The complaint was made anonymously, but we may have figured out a way to trace it back. We’re working on it. Gary has been cooperating because the informant made a real fool out of him as well. But taking shots at someone….”
“Do you want to take a look? We came inside and left the area alone so you could investigate,” Ashton explained, his cheeks growing red. “I doubt you’re going to find much, other than where the shooter waited. At least the wind isn’t blowing the snow around.”
“You all stay in here. I have a deputy on the way, and we’ll take charge.” The sheriff stormed out of the house, and Ashton lowered himself into one of the chairs. Ben brought him over a footstool to prop up his leg.
“Why did you antagonize him?” Marcel asked.
“It’s the only way to get him to do his job. I’ve known the guy forever. He was like that in school, loved getting attention but wouldn’t do the work. So when he needs one, I give him a kick in the ass, just like I used to when we were in high school. He tolerates me, and I do the same in return. Sometimes I think the man likes being sheriff more than he does actually acting like one. If I have to shame him into doing his job and getting us some answers, I will.” Ashton sighed. “After all, I sleep so soundly at night, knowing he’s on the job.”
Reg snorted. “Sarcasm really becomes you.”
“Smartass,” Ashton teased.
Reg headed for the door. “I’m going out to do some looking around on my own.” He left as well, and Marcel got Lucy up and on his feet.
“I’m going to take this one home and get him in bed to rest. I’ll be back so I can get the chores done before the security people get here.”
“Just be careful,” Ashton said.
Marcel promised, then helped Lucy to move slowly out of the living room.
Ben sat on the arm of Ashton’s chair. “You know I’m not worth putting you and the people in your life in danger.”
Ashton motioned toward the door. “Do you want to leave?” His gaze met Ben’s and held it in a visual vise grip. “If that’s what you want, then go. If you want to stay, then do that. But don’t bring up any more of this crap about running away and how we will be better off. Frankly, it’s kind of whiny.”
“Gee, thanks,” Ben huffed. He had been thinking of them rather than himself.
Ashton shook his head. “I am well aware of the risks. So are the guys and Reg. We have all been through some tough times here. Last summer a group of locals decided that they didn’t want gay men in the bar in town. They picked a fight, and Marcel and Lucy beat the living shit out of them. I’ve taken some crap from time to time as well, and I refuse to back away. All of us know how to fight, and we all take care of our own. Period.” He lowered his foot, sitting upright. “The question for you is… do you want to be one of us or not?” Ashton held his gaze in a grip of steel. “That’s your decision. The door is right there if you want it.”
Well holy hell, that was direct. But Ben knew what he wanted. Ashton was offering him a chance to belong somewhere, and that was damned tempting. “But what if…?” Ben felt that Ashton found him attractive, and the feeling was mutual. But shit, that was putting a lot of pressure on something just a few days old.
“This has nothing to do with where you sleep. If you want to stay, then we’ll find things for you to do so you can make yourself useful. There is always plenty of work on a ranch this size. I have two thousand acres with as many head of cattle, as well as horses. We make our living with the cattle, and the horses are a much-loved side business. But it’s one I can’t indulge in anymore.” He paused before adding under his breath just softly enough that Ben nearly missed it, “Sometimes I hate this damned leg and cane.” He swallowed and his expression grew less dark. “If you’re willing to work, you can stay. If things progress between us, then that would be wonderful, but it has nothing to do with you being here. Got that? I won’t force my way into anyone’s bed or try to worm my way into someone’s heart.” Ashton was sexy as hell when he was forceful, and his offer was probably the kindest thing anyone had ever done for Ben. Ashton was offering him a lot more than just a place to stay. He was offering Ben a home, a place where he could belong. Something he hadn’t had since he entered foster care. The lure of both Ashton and what he offered was hard to resist.