Page 65 of Aussie
“Do you know where they went?" Ezekiel asked.
“No,” Jarod admitted.
Ezekiel gritted his teeth. “Fine. But you’ll let me know the second you hear anything. If they come back, I want to know before anyone else.”
“Of course,” Jarod assured him.
Ezekiel ended the call and slid into the driver’s seat, his mind already shifting gears. He dialed another number. His tone was icy when the person on the other end picked up.
Find Barrett and Chase,” Ezekiel ordered. “And make them disappear.”
The person on the line grunted an acknowledgment before hanging up. Ezekiel’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel as he started the car.
As he drove toward his warehouse on the outskirts of town, his mind raced with plans. He would need to lay low for a while, but when the time came, he’d make sure that nobody would interfere with his business again.
The thought of eliminating the threats coming at him brought a cold smile to his lips. He’d get what he wanted. He always did.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ava yawned as she checked the time. It was just a little after six in the evening. The drive to Aussie’s parent’s house took a lot longer than they expected it to. When they left yesterday, they had driven for about two hours when they found out that the major highway on their route was completely shut down due to a major multi-car accident, and it wasn’t expected to open back up for several hours. So, instead of sitting in standstill traffic, they decided to find a hotel and just hunker down for the night.
They got an early start in the morning, and after they had breakfast at the hotel, they were on the road by eight.
Ava sat quietly in the truck, her gaze drifting out the window as they neared Aussie’s parents’ house. The farmland that stretched for miles was dotted with weathered barns and grazing cattle. The golden light of the fading sun bathed the fields, giving the scene an almost ethereal glow. It was so peaceful, so untouched, that for a moment, Ava allowed herself to forget the chaos back in Virginia Beach. Here, it felt like time itself had slowed down, offering a rare glimpse of serenity.
“Here we are,” Aussie announced as he turned the truck on the main road and onto a driveway.
As the truck rumbled down the long gravel driveway, Ava stared out the window, her breath catching at the sight ahead. The farmhouse that stood there was massive, with pristine white siding, dark green shutters, and a wraparound porch decorated with twinkling Christmas lights. Garlands hung from the railings, and a towering Christmas tree glimmered through one of the large front windows. Beyond the house stretched acres ofrolling land with barns and a large paddock where a few horses grazed peacefully.
Christian let out a low whistle from the back seat. “This place is huge.”
Ava couldn’t help but smile. “It’s beautiful,” she agreed, her eyes lingering on the snow-covered fields. The entire scene looked like something out of a holiday movie.
“You have horses?” Christian asked eagerly.
“Yup,” Aussie replied, pulling the truck to a stop in front of the porch. “Plenty of them. And yes, you can ride one.”
Christian grinned as if Aussie had just handed him the best Christmas present ever.
Ava’s gaze shifted to the couple waiting on the porch. Aussie’s parents stood side by side, bundled in warm coats. Their faces were lit with welcoming smiles. His mom was petite, with short-cropped gray hair. His dad was tall and broad-shouldered. His weathered features were softened by the warmth in his eyes.
As soon as Aussie killed the engine, they walked down the steps to meet them.
“Aussie!” his mom called, her voice brimming with joy. “It’s about time you got here!”
“Hey, Mom, Dad,” Aussie said, stepping out of the truck. He came around to open Ava’s door and help her down. He then gestured toward her and Christian. “This is Ava and Christian.”
Ava barely had time to extend her hand before Aussie’s mom pulled her into a hug. “It’s so good to meet you, Ava,” she said warmly. “Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you,” Ava replied, slightly startled but smiling.
Meanwhile, Aussie’s dad bent slightly to meet Christian’s eye level. “You must be Christian. I see you eyeing the horses. Do you like to ride?”
“I never rode before, but Aussie said I could ride one here,” Christian said, his voice laced with excitement.
“You sure can. We have plenty to pick from,” Aussie’s dad said. “How about tomorrow you and I go out for a ride?”
Christian’s eyes lit up. “Seriously?”
