Half a Cowboy Read online

  “Come back to the house and we’ll figure things out.” Just like that, Ashton offered him a symbolic hand.

  Ben found himself nodding and immediately felt better. He had been as careful as he could when he’d left and had gone in the direction that Dallas was least likely to suspect. That didn’t mean that Dallas wasn’t looking for him. But it was a big country, and Ben had covered a lot of distance. It was too soon to begin to hope that he might have gotten away, but Ashton was offering his help, and as soon as Ben accepted it, some of his tension eased.

  “Then finish eating, and we’ll return to the ranch.” Ashton’s smile went nearly to his eyes, and Ben found himself returning the expression. He wasn’t alone. And maybe this time, the help being offered was genuine, unlike Dallas’s. He got that, and a seed of trust was planted.

  Ben finished his food, and Ashton drained the last of his coffee, then paid the bill. They didn’t talk much, which was a blessing. Then they returned to Ashton’s truck and headed back toward the ranch.

  Ashton seemed to concentrate on driving, and Ben sat quietly, ruminating on what he was going to tell Ashton. In the end, he decided he would come clean and tell him everything. Ashton was willing to help him, so Ben owed him the truth. Then, if it was too much, Ben could still get out of town somehow and leave them all in peace.

  They pulled into the driveway, and Ashton drove up close to the house. The area was plowed but quiet. Marcel and Lucy must have been working elsewhere. Ashton got out and walked slowly toward the porch, climbed the steps, and went inside. When Ben joined him, the dogs gathered around him as if he were their long-lost brother, squirming and jostling for attention.

  “I’m going to make some coffee,” Ashton said. “Get your gear off and come into the kitchen. We need to talk.” There was an edge to his voice, but Ben figured he might as well get this over with. There was certain to be fallout, and he needed to know what it was going to be.

  Ben hung up his coat and gear before joining Ashton at the scarred kitchen table. Ashton brought him a steaming mug and got one for himself. “Okay. Look….” Ben wasn’t sure where to start. “Dallas Remington.”

  Ashton’s eyes widened. “Shit…,” he breathed. “You’re kidding? He’s one of the worst motherfucking crime lords in the country.” He immediately began messaging on his phone, holding up a finger for Ben to wait until he finished. “I think we’re going to need some extra help.”

  Ben couldn’t argue with that assessment. “I wish I was kidding. I thought the guy in the station was Mugs, one of Dallas’s associates, sent to bring me back.”

  “This is some pretty deep shit. How did you get involved with him?” Ashton asked.

  Ben sipped the strong brew. “I was young, stupid, and kind of desperate. He was older, attractive, had plenty of money, and I got sucked into the life he offered. I didn’t even realize what he was doing to me until it was too late. I’d been cut off from my friends and most of the people I knew. Everything centered around Dallas, and it was fun. Things were really good… until they weren’t. But by then, the large house we lived in was the proverbial gilded cage, and I was the fucking bird. Oh, he gave me plenty of things. The gifts were gorgeous and expensive. He said he loved me… blah, blah, blah. I know it was all crap now. I was just one of his toys. But then, I thought I loved him too.” He took another sip, giving his head a chance to put things in some sort of order. “I tried to get away once before. A friend helped me escape. It didn’t work, and he ended up on the back of a milk carton. That was a year ago, and I’ve been waiting ever since to try again. I played along, acted good, did what he asked, made him trust me enough to let me go out on regular errands. And a week ago I just kept going.”

  Ashton didn’t ask questions, which Ben was grateful for. He sipped his coffee and watched Ben, seemingly waiting.

  “Dallas never gives up what he thinks is his. And I’m definitely that. He didn’t love me, though. He just saw me as an accessory to his lifestyle, like his Maserati or Gucci shoes. I was an ornament, a plaything.” Ben swallowed some more coffee. The thought of explaining what kind of toy he’d been made him wish the floor would open up and swallow him. He hoped Ashton didn’t ask.

  “Why did he pick you?”

  Ben closed his eyes. “I was a dancer at one of the clubs in Texas. I did what I had to do to make a living, and he came into the club, saw me dance, and called me over. He said he liked how I looked and that he could help me make it big.” God, he had been such an idiot. Nobody gets something for nothing, and in the end, Ben had lost his freedom and had gained nothing but heartache, pain, and a life full of fear. He finished his coffee and slid the mug away.

  Ashton sat back, drumming his fingers on the table, his expression a little far away. “I get that he doesn’t want to give you up, but… there has to be more to it than that. How long were you with him?”

  “Three years or so. The first year and a half were pretty good, but then things really changed.” Ben grew more nervous.

  “What happened?” Ashton asked. “I want to help you.” He reached across the table, taking Ben’s hand. It was a gentle gesture, and Ben didn’t pull back. He liked that Ashton seemed to care. This could have felt like an interrogation; instead, it felt like real help. “If things changed dramatically, there’s probably a cause. Did something happen between you? Or was it outside?”

  Ben had never thought about it like that. All he knew was that his life had changed dramatically almost overnight. “I’m trying to think. I wasn’t dancing anymore—Dallas didn’t want that. I had landed a contract as a model for a website. It was for men’s clothing, and they wanted me for the splash page and then throughout the site. It was a big deal, and I was really happy.” He tried to remember the order of events. “I had come home from the photo shoot, and Dallas was frantic. The house and grounds were on lockdown. Guys patrolled the perimeter like they were ready to go to war. Maybe they were.”

  Ashton pulled out his phone and started tapping the keys, his attention straying. Ben hoped this was over, but then Ashton passed the phone across the table. “Did you know him?”

  Ben brought the phone closer. “Kenneth. He was a friend of Dallas’s. At least, that’s how he was introduced.”

  “He was your guy’s enforcer. And he was gunned down in Houston eighteen months ago.” Ashton pulled the phone back. “The police still don’t know who did it, and no charges have been filed, but it looks as if someone was sending Dallas a message that they wanted to be the new big dog in town. And from what you just described, Dallas got it loud and clear.”

  “Shit…,” he breathed. “I didn’t know anything up until now. I thought Dallas had either sent him away….” He lowered his gaze to the tabletop. “God, I was so stupid. It all makes sense. Dallas was frightened and he took it out on everyone around him.”

  “Yes. That explains the change, but you were with him for three years. I bet you saw and heard a lot of things. I wonder if Dallas is afraid that if you’re out of his control, the things he doesn’t want people to know might come out too.”

  Ben shook his head. “I was never around when he did business, and he never talked about things like that in front of me. He had his office, and he did business in there.”

  “Okay. Let me ask you something. Where did you go on vacation?”

  “The Cayman Islands once a year for snorkeling and fishing. That was in the winter. He brought three guys with him, and me. Dallas didn’t like to go into the water, so I’d book some time on various excursions, and he would stay behind. He did love fishing, though.”

  “And while you were snorkeling, I bet he had meetings and worked.” Ashton nodded. “The Cayman Islands are a banking and money hideout. I’m willing to bet those vacations were trips for him to move and hide his money. From there he could transfer money out of the US and send it to a dozen countries around the world with very little oversight.” He leaned forward. “I bet if you think about it, you know a lot more about hi
m and what he does than you think. And I’m guessing that Dallas has figured that out as well and doesn’t want you talking to anyone, least of all anyone involved with the law.”

  Ben sighed. “Well, shit. I knew he was possessive and that his business dealings were shady. But I was stuck. I don’t have anything to do with Dallas’s business, and I never did anything illegal. I swear.” He needed Ashton to believe him. “I have a feeling that my friend Christopher was killed by Dallas, or at least on his orders. He just disappeared and I never found out anything more. Unfortunately I can’t prove anything. I just knew that after that, I had to get away from him. If I didn’t, I was going to end up in the bottom of some pond somewhere.”

  “Okay,” Ashton told him gently. “I believe you.” He squeezed Ben’s fingers. “And I appreciate you trusting me with the truth.” He paused. “I messaged a friend of mine. His name’s Reg. He and I served in the Army together. We started a security firm providing electronic security systems, as well as more personal services, when our tours were done. Reg is in charge of design and installation, and he’s the best at it. I run the business itself. Right now he just finished a job in Cheyenne. He was going to visit on his way back to California, so he’s on his way and will be here as fast as he can.”

  “I don’t want to cause you trouble.” The urge to leave rose once again.

  “You’re not. It will be good to get a second opinion and have someone make sure that we’re all safe.” Ashton slowly got up. “Go and rest if you like. I bet you haven’t slept all that much.”

  Ben couldn’t argue with him, so he went into the living room. The excitement from earlier had worn off and fatigue was quickly catching up with him. He closed his eyes and slept for maybe an hour or so, and when he woke, Ashton was seated close by like a guardian watching over him, his expression soft, a tender smile curling his lips. Ben found himself returning it as Ashton held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Ben took it.

  Callused fingers slid over Ben’s skin, sending a zip of excitement through him. He closed his eyes and sighed, enjoying the moment of peace and happiness, an island in the sea of fear that was his life.

  A firm knock on the front door made Ben jump, but Ashton smiled and got up and answered the door. “It’s okay. Reg is here.” He motioned, and a man as big as a bear lumbered into the kitchen. All bundled up, he looked like a yeti. As the layers came off, his size didn’t diminish much.

  “I hear you got yourself a little bit of trouble.” The man’s Georgia accent came through clearly. Once he had his gear off, Reg pulled Ashton into a full-body hug. Ben looked away at the pang of jealousy that stabbed at his gut. He knew he had no right to feel that way, but the stab was still there.

  “It’s a distinct possibility.” Ashton patted Reg and then backed away. “This is Ben.”

  “The guy you found in the barn?” Reg shook his hand. “It’s good to meet you. I bet you wish you’d picked another barn to take shelter in, right?”

  Ben shrugged in response.

  “Well….” Ashton wagged his eyebrows. “It seems that maybe my problem with my asshole neighbor isn’t the worst of our worries right now.” Ashton told Reg a condensed version of what Ben had related to him. “As far as we know, they aren’t aware Ben is in the area, but we’re dealing with a man with a long reach. I think it’s best to be careful.”

  Reg chuckled. “So let me guess. Basically, you want this place locked down tight and you don’t want anyone to be able to tell until you need it.” He shrugged. “Piece of cake.”

  “And we have to figure a way to find out if Dallas and his friends are snooping around. I’d like to think that Ben got away and that Dallas is chasing his tail, but we can’t be sure, and it pays to be on guard.”

  “He isn’t going to give up. Dallas never does.” Ben put his hands in his lap to keep them from shaking. “He doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.”

  “What does the kid know?” Reg asked Ashton. “He must have some info, otherwise why would Dallas care?”

  “Ben doesn’t know. That’s part of the issue.” Ashton turned to him. “I’m willing to bet, Ben, that you know more than you think you do. We’re going to have to work to put the pieces together.” At least Ashton didn’t talk around him. “But don’t worry. This place is going to be more secure than Fort Knox once we’re done.”

  “I’ll start drawing up plans. I have a bunch of gear arriving tomorrow, and we’ll get it installed. Ben, how are you with tools?” Reg asked.

  “Depends on what kind you want me to use,” Ben quipped, and Reg snapped his head around. Okay, maybe it was a bad joke, but Ashton got it and smiled. “I’m really good with some tools,” he corrected.

  Reg groaned. “Hammers, screwdrivers, drills,” he griped. “I don’t want to hear about any of that other stuff. If you guys are bumping uglies, that’s cool. I don’t need to know any details of your kinky sex lives.”

  “Reg was always squeamish about the gay thing.” Ashton smirked, and he seemed to be having fun. “He once took out a sniper’s nest damned near on his own without batting an eye, but the gay stuff makes him as jittery as a virgin at a nudist colony.”

  “Eat shit, you ass. I just don’t want to hear about it any more than you want to hear about boobies. So knock it off, you jerk.” He was smiling, so Ben figured this was just part of their schtick.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Ashton said and stood using his cane. “I’ll get us some dinner, and then we can all get started. Lucifer and Marcel will be here in about an hour, and then we can plan things out just in case someone is tracking Ben.”

  “Don’t you think you might be overreacting?” Ben asked. “We don’t even know if Dallas has a clue where I am. This seems like a lot of expense.”

  “You were willing to run away from here on the chance that Dallas might be able to track you. We’ll have things in place just in case, and if we don’t need them, they can be removed.” Ashton seemed so logical.

  “And this neighbor of yours,” Reg said. “Tell me about him.”

  “He’s pissed because Dad was considering selling to him. Henderson had finally worn him down; then I came home and killed that deal. He’s wanted this place for the last ten years. I think he has visions of a resort of some kind. I don’t know and I don’t care. This is my home and I’m staying here.” Ashton grinned. “Ya know, maybe I should make him an offer on his place. It’s close enough that with a few more hands, we could enlarge the operation and really make this place pay. Maybe open a restaurant in town, sell my own beef. Folks would pay for that.” It seemed Ashton had big ideas. “That would frost Henderson’s ass real good.” He clearly liked that idea.

  “All right. You and your cooking.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve missed that a lot, I can tell you. Like a pig misses slop.” He actually rubbed his hands together. “I need a layout of all the buildings and the land. We need to lock this place down, and that means the barns and house as well as the cattle. Don’t want someone hurting you through the way the ranch makes its living.”

  “There’s an aerial layout in the office. Left-hand side of the desk, second drawer. Go ahead and get it.”

  It was pretty obvious that Ashton was hurting. Ben took his mug to the sink and joined him. “I can help you,” he said. “What do you need?” He didn’t like the tension around Ashton’s eyes. “I’m not great in the kitchen the way you are, but I can definitely help out.”

  “I’ve got some steaks we can broil, and there are veggies in the freezer and potatoes in the cellar. It’s right over there. They’re in the pantry area, toward the back.” Ashton started getting food out of the refrigerator, and Ben descended into the mostly empty basement to find what Ashton had sent him for. He brought up enough for everyone to have plenty. Ashton asked him to peel them and get the water boiling for mashed potatoes. After all the excitement of the past few hours, doing something domestic soothed his nerves, at least for a little while.

  “GET
THE hell out, and don’t think of being late again or I’ll break more than your nose,” Dallas said calmly. He loved inflicting pain, and he really didn’t care who he hurt. All that mattered was the results he achieved. “And don’t bleed on the carpet or I’ll add it to your debt.”

  The man in his fifties turned and hurried toward the door. Dallas could almost smell the fear mixed with relief as he passed through it and out of the office. God, he loved that smell almost as much as he loved the scent of money.

  “Boss,” Jake said with a gentle knock on the door.

  “You better have some good news for me.” He looked up from the papers on his desk as his right-hand man stepped into the office. Even two-hundred-and-twenty-pound Jake, built like a linebacker, moved carefully in his presence. Dallas loved being feared. People who crossed him paid the price… just like those who made him unhappy. And everyone knew he wasn’t happy, and hadn’t been since his favorite toy had flown the coop. How dare the ungrateful little shit run away from him? When Dallas got his hands on him, he’d make sure Ben paid dearly for his little escapade.

  “I do. We found him.” Jake waited, seeming to hold his breath.

  Dallas smiled, seeing Jake shiver. Now that was power.

  Chapter 4

  ASHTON SAT in his chair, staring the fire, with his feet up. “What are you planning to do?” he asked Reg as he passed through the room in his winter gear.

  “I have the basic plan I want to use—I left it on your desk for you to take a look at. Check it over before Brent and Fillip get here in the morning. I rested for a few hours, so I’m going out to check the perimeter. I have my phone, and I’ll text if I need any backup.” He stalked to the chair as Ashton lowered his legs. “Don’t you even think of going out with me. Your leg is aching. I can tell, and so can Ben.” He smirked. “I think he likes you.”