Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [104]
“It already has.”
Braden grimaced but didn’t drop his arms.
“I’ve survived worse. I don’t need you to protect me. This was only a cruel prank. A bloody reminder that he’s out there.” She scoffed, “As if I’d forgotten in the first place.”
Braden squeezed her shoulders, registering the fear-induced tension that belied her words. “No one questions your bravery. Or your resilience.” A rebuilt Land Rover rumbled up the drive. “That’s Caleb. Please, go inside and let me handle this. Promise me you’ll stay here with Caleb, Lucy and my mother while I’m gone.” She opened her mouth to argue, so he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Just this once, let me take care of things.”
She studied him for a long moment and then reluctantly nodded. “Fine. But be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it.” He squeezed her shoulders one last time and propelled her to the door. “Would you grab me a change of clothes? I’ll take a shower when I get back, but I don’t want my mother and Lucy to see the stains on these.”
“You can’t protect them from this. Lucy caught the full brunt of it this morning and I know your mother saw a lot through the screen door before your father pushed her to go into the kitchen. They’re resilient, you don’t need to worry.”
“Still, they’ve seen enough. So have you. Go grab the clothes while I fill Caleb in.”
“Alright.” Beth disappeared back into the house as Caleb took the porch steps two a time, letting out a low whistle.
“Messy morning?”
“Yeah.” Braden picked up the hose and thrust it toward his brother. “You can finish up with this while I’m gone.”
Caleb accepted the hose, concern pinching his face. “Everyone okay?”
“Yeah. But no one leaves the house this afternoon.” Braden snatched the keys off the porch railing.
“Dad and Chase?”
“In the woods trying to piece everything together. I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
***
Braden rolled up the dirty tarp and tossed it into the bed of the truck. It had taken a little longer than he thought to find a suitable place to get rid of the deer. He hadn’t wanted to dump it too near the road in case someone found it. The last thing they needed right now was a public inquiry into what had mutilated the deer. No matter the findings, it would only result in problems.
Braden pulled off his shirt, tossed it into the cab and reached for the fresh one on the passenger seat.
The forest fell silent.
He spun as fire erupted across his chest, stealing his breath and sending him to his knees.
Son of a bitch!
Two tiny prongs pierced his chest, live wires extending back to the Taser.
“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Malicious humor colored the words. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never felt the electric kiss of a Taser. I’m told it burns like hell.”
Braden gathered what strength he could, yanked the prongs from his chest and leaped for the figure in front of him. Agony arched through him, burning across his back and squeezing his heart. He fought the darkness that edged his vision as he slumped to the ground. A booted foot held him down. Another connected with his ribs.
Once.
Twice.
The last thing he saw was the boot that swung for his head.
Beth watched as the last glimmer of sun dipped below the horizon.
Enough is enough.
She grabbed her sweater off the end of the bed and hurried down the stairs. Unease had pooled low in her gut when they’d found the slaughtered remains of the deer. It had steadily grown, coating her stomach, and filling her with the heavy weight of dread. But now, as the sun set and Braden still hadn’t returned, it coalesced into a solid fear she didn’t want to acknowledge.
Chase rose from the sofa when she hit the bottom of the stairs. She strode to the door and pulled the first set of keys off the hook by the door. “I’ve waited long enough. Are you coming with me or not?”
Chase plucked the keys from her hand and hung them back up.
“I’m not waiting any longer, Chase. Something’s wrong. Come with me or don’t but I’m not waiting any longer.”
“I’m not asking you to,” he said, pulling a different set of keys off the hook.