Page 92 of Wildest Forever

Just rolls straight from the truck and Tripp is on his heels.

“What the fuck is going on?” I turn to face Marty and his eyes bounce between the three of us.

He sighs, eyes settle on Riggs', his boot heels digging into the ground.

Austin steps forward and kind of hovers between us and Marty.

“We got a call about some cattle that were stuck at the base of the mountain, given the amount of herds that have just disappeared, we decided to come and check it out.”

“Didn't you rule that they may have gotten across the border?”

“I mean, I couldn't prove it, but...”

“But what?” Riggs growls.

“Well, I assumed that's where they went,” and Riggs scrubs at his face.

Tripp stays silent and just listens.

Me and Riggs are too hot headed and sometimes lose the little details that we're told, but not Tripp, he is calm and collected and he won't let a single detail slip past.

“Anyway,” Austin interjects.

“We came out here, but there was nothing... no herds...”

“Right?” Riggs taps the toe of his boot.

My hands slip into the front of my pockets.

“The mine was open.”

“Forced?” I ask and Marty's eyes sweep to Austin.

“Just come and have a look,” Austin says softly as he begins to move forward, unhooking the gate that fences the path off.

I look back at Riggs who gives me a soft nod.

I follow, Riggs behind me and then Tripp behind him. Uneasiness settles in my stomach and something feels off.

Turning my face over my shoulder, Riggs is tense.

Shoulders are up.

Jaw is locked.

Something is up.

What the fuck aren't they telling us?

Trudging up the slight hill through the fields, we reach the peak before we're walking down a narrow dirt track to get us to the entrance.

I don't trust anyone since that manilla envelope landed on my desk and now I feel like I am walking on eggshells with everyone I once trusted.

I catch the look Austin throws me and my heart stills for a moment as we approach the entrance and that's when Marty turns his gaze to mine, his lips rolled into a tight line, his eyes batted to the floor where they stay.

My brows knit and Riggs pushes his way past me and walks the small turn in the path.

“Fuck!” his voice echoes and I find myself running towards him, careful to mind my footing and that's when I see him.

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