Page 44 of Kian

“It’s so quiet out here,” Gretchen whispered in his ear.

“Yeah, except for all the noise we’re making. I’m hoping it will keep any animals away.”

“It should. I never come out here this far when it’s dark.”

“We’ll be fine.”

“I know. I trust you.”

He grinned and squeezed her knee, then drove down toward the creek. When he slowed to cross it, he heard a wolf howling in the distance.

“That sounded close.”

“Could just be echoing. They do hunt at night though.”

“Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”

“We’re fine. They’re too afraid of the noise from the bike, and it will keep them away.”

“I just want to get home.”

“You’re the one who insisted on coming with me. I could have done this alone. I am a livestock agent, you know.”

“Wolves are not livestock, so don’t pull that shit bullshit on me,” she snapped.

Kian laughed. “Yes, ma’am, but I did study animals, so just relax. As soon as I can call Killian, the sooner we can head back.”

“Okay. Just a little further and we should have a signal.”

Once he reached the clearing, he stopped the ATV, and glanced over his shoulder at her.

“Check it, please.” He could feel her getting the phone out of her pocket.

“We have one. Here.” She handed him the phone over his shoulder.

Kian stepped off the bike, then called his brother.

“Kian? Is something wrong?” Killian said when he answered.

“Tell Dave not to announce me missing. I’m afraid that will make those men come back to look for me to cover their tracks, and they don’t need to find Gretchen’s place.”

“Yeah, we discussed it and felt the same way. We’re just trying to figure out what to do.”

“Nothing for now. Wait until I get back and we’ll all work on it. I can look through mugshots. Maybe one of them is there. I know I’d recognize them.”

“Alright. Are you calling from the cabin? I thought you didn’t have cell service there.”

“We don’t, but your hardheaded brother had to come out in the pitch dark to call you,” Gretchen said.

Kian laughed when Killian did.

“I believe, big brother, you have met your match.”

“No shit.”

“Kian? Take me off speaker for minute, please.”

Kian looked at Gretchen, shrugged, then he took the phone off speaker and put the phone to his ear.

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