Page 65 of Rough Stock

‘What about me?’ Stone asked. ‘Got a stockwhip? I can use one of those. And yes, Duchess, I am licenced to carry firearms, though I usually dance with man-eating crocodiles, not crooks. So I’ll be locked and loaded the next time we do this.’

‘Take one of my ropes.’ Finn dragged out two ropes from the large backpack. He passed one to Stone, the other he tied to his belt, the way Craig would tie his stockwhip for a muster.

In this gunfight, Craig wasn’t going in there without his rifle, even if he’d been using it to help him walk. It was the very thing Izzy was worried about with him taking this job—the gunplay.

Sorry, baby, I’m doing this for you.And nothing and no one was going to stop him, Craig had signed up for the job and he was in.

Finn narrowed his eyes at the team, his voice deepening with that lethal edge to it. ‘As this is a hostage situation, I should warn you I don’t and won’t negotiate with these types of bastards. Does anyone here have a problem with that?’

‘I’m good.’ Craig gripped his gun tighter.

‘No offence, brother, but are you good with your injuries?’ Stone asked Craig.

His leg was seriously killing him. Even though he’d just about ground his teeth so hard they were close to cracking, to fight off the pain, Craig was not letting his injury stand in the way of saving his wife. ‘I’m in.’

‘Good. Then this is what I want you to do…’ Finn laid out his plans, answering questions, until they felt ready to do their part. ‘But we need to do this slowly, guys. It’s daylight, with no cover to hide behind, so watch your shadows.’

The silence suddenly heavy, Craig could feel the adrenaline punching through his veins—it was worse than waiting to give the nod in the rodeo chute to ride a bull.

‘Watch for my signals, and for each team member. Most of all, take your time. Stealth is key, until you get into position. When I give the nod, we’ll strike.’ Finn removed his pistol and pulled back the slide to load the chamber, clicking off the safety. ‘As this is a risky operation, you’ll all be putting yourselves in danger if you proceed, so I’m giving you all one last chance to back out. No judgement from me.’

Craig gripped his rifle tighter. ‘We all know that’s my wife in there, but I’ll understand if none of you want to do this.’

Stone patted Craig’s shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. ‘I’m in all the way, mate. There is noIin team, there’sus.’

Amara readjusted her police hat, then drew her handgun. ‘I’m ready when you are, sir.’

Finn nodded at them, and it was as if they’d bonded as a team under the scorching outback sun where their shadows blended into one. ‘Alright, let’s finish this and make damn sure this party ends our way.’

Twenty-three

The side door kicked open and Renzo came inside towel-drying his hair, only to stop and screw his nose up. ‘Crikey, this place stinks.’ He turned around and with the sound of roller doors screeching, he pushed the entire wall open, allowing fresh air and flying dust particles to churn under the harsh outback sun.

‘Oi, drongo. The sun bounces off those solar panels this time of the day.’ Dane pushed off his chair to close the door again. ‘It’s why I keep that side door shut.’

With the two men arguing, Izzy cautiously shimmied further back into the cage, trying to find the safest spot where they couldn’t touch her.

Then something outside caught her eye. It was Craig.

She nearly screamed with joy.

Near the truck’s cab, with his back pressed to the outside of the open shed door, Craig held his finger over his mouth for her to remain quiet, while Dane and Renzo continued to argue over the door.

Using his rifle, he limped over to the truck and peered into its cab. He then crouched down, to just inside the shed itself, and unhooked a short rod off the wall, then slid it towards her. ‘Hide it.’

‘What is it?’ It was a long handheld device with a plastic grip and a metal-tipped end to it.

‘Cattle prod. Just squeeze the trigger and jab with the pointy end.’

Oh, wow, she was no longer unarmed. ‘Got it.’ With a rush of bravado, she slid it under a stash of hay. Then looked at him with hope. ‘And me?’

‘Sit tight, baby. We’ll get you out of there.’ Craig disappeared against the side of the shed.

Her heart sank seeing him leave like that.

But then his hat brim peeked out, just enough for him to wink at her, then he was gone again.

Sitting cross-legged inside the cage, she spun around to gather some hay, using it to conceal the cattle prod under her leg, hoping she didn’t accidentally press the trigger and end up shocking herself in the arse.

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