Fractured Steel Read online

  Everywhere except my memory.

  Standing in the doorway, the man turned, and I could see his face, but it was his eyes I noticed. Deep in the gray depths I found regret, hopelessness.

  What does Rupert have over him? I wondered. He obviously moved freely, yet shackled by something very important.

  He stood in the doorway and whispered, “I’m Gage.” With that, he left.

  Chapter Eight

  I didn’t sleep. I visualized Beth’s last moments anytime I closed my eyes. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what Rupert was after, what he held over Gage.

  Five Alarm was a ten million dollar horse, but to kill people over him? He couldn’t sell him outright, perhaps on the black market, or at auction. But he’d never get what Five was worth. Stealing the stallion for breeding wasn’t going to work either, as it would take years before proving him worth a lot of money without his name. What the hell did he want?

  The door opened, and I peeked at the window to get an idea of the time. By the weak sunlight, it was dawn. I glanced at the door, finding Johnny standing in the hallway light, his features in shadow.

  “I have to let you heal, but he didn’t forbid me from coming to see you,” he stalked closer, with a slight limp.

  I hid a smile.

  As he came closer, I noticed several bruises on his face and neck, and he held an arm at a funny angle. None of them my doing. I wondered if Rupert had a go at him, the man was sadistic enough.

  “Who are you to Rupert?” The words fell out of my mouth without thought.

  He smiled, one lip swollen. “He raised my brother and me.”

  “Nice guy,” I gave him a once over, noting several hidden injuries. “I see he had a go at you after I did.”

  He growled, and I stilled. I didn’t doubt he’d attack me, despite what Rupert ordered.

  “You’re dismissed. Get out of my room,” I rolled over and closed my eyes, swallowing hard. I tensed, waiting. I heard his slow footsteps leave, and the door shut quietly. I released a pent up breath.

  The sun rose, bringing heat and light. I watched it move across the floor, pushing through the small gap in the thick drapes. The door opened, and I smelled beef stew. I turned, finding a small, thin woman, her gray hair pulled into a severe bun, balancing the wooden tray. Her face was friendly, but she turned hazel eyes on me.

  I froze, barely breathing. Her eyes shone with the same hard light as Rupert. I stared, seeing the similarities. Though she had hazel eyes, the jaw, nose and shape of the eyes were all the same. I had the nagging suspicion if I could figure out why all of them pulled on my subconscious, a whole new dimension to the puzzle would fall into place.

  “You’ll eat every bit of this, young lady. And I’ll not have you causing further injury to my boys.” She set the tray on the dresser, nodded once and walked out.

  I exhaled on a whistle. The entire family was nuts. Swinging my legs off the bed, I gingerly stepped to the dresser and ate, guzzling the bottled water. They were bound and determined to cause me bodily harm, and to survive, I needed all the strength I could muster.

  I cleaned the bowl, finished the bread and set the tray by the door. I needed to relieve myself, but moved to the windows. Pulling one drape to the side, I observed Five rounding up the mares, and pushing them away from the fence. I glanced at the gate, and found Gage walking through the entrance, halter and lead rope in hand. I raised an eyebrow. He was persistent.

  Five didn’t like Gage’s presence, and another dance ensued. Five won, nearly taking Gage’s head and landing a kick on his thigh. Oooh, that had to hurt, I grinned.

  I turned at the sound of the door opening and the little woman picking up the tray, inspecting it and nodding as she backed out the door.

  “I have to go to the bathroom.” I lifted my chin.

  “I’ll have someone come up. I don’t trust you not to try something stupid, like escape.” She left, slamming the door.

  “Yet, you come in here alone, old bat,” I whispered and directed my attention to the drama in the pasture.

  During the brief encounter with Momma Psycho, Gage grabbed a horsewhip and was attempting to subdue Five. I almost burst out laughing. He would only succeed in pissing off the stallion. As predicted, Five went berserk at the sight of the whip. He chased Gage, who jumped over the fence in a clumsy move, stood on the other side with hands on his knees, trying to catch a breath. I giggled. He had no clue.

  Five circled around, and took a running leap at the gate, clearing it in a beautiful jump. Even from where I stood, I could see the shock on Gage’s face. I held my stomach, laughing. The sounds of shouting and exclamations floated through the air, muffled by the house. I shuffled to the bed, laying down, unable to stop the giggles. Five Alarm might go down, but the big bugger wouldn’t go down without a major fight.

  The door opened, and the little bastard limped in. He was hunched over with a blank expression. Opening the door, he made a sweeping motion with a hand, and escorted me to the bathroom, smiling as he watched me take care of bodily needs. I didn’t let him see how I hated it, refraining from several gestures.

  The rest of the afternoon was spent alone, shuffling in circles, trying to walk through the pain. Muscles and injuries screamed, but I either had to ignore them or succumb. I continued walking.

  Dinner arrived in much the same manner as lunch, and I stood in the far corner, observing. I could recite the layout of the house by rote. It was the guards I couldn’t figure out. Gage was somewhere, probably nursing a lot of sore muscles and bruises. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few broken bones were involved.

  Gage opened the door and limped inside. “You have one more day to heal, and they want you to handle Five Alarm.” His gray eyes met mine. His gaze slid to the left, glancing at one of the cameras, followed by landing on every one of the cameras around the room. I gave an imperceptible nod.

  “Why should I handle him? Seems you guys were almost there today,” I gave a saccharine sweet smile.

  “That damned stallion almost killed me. Chased me and two others around the stable yard for twenty minutes,” he grumbled, holding his side.

  “Rupert didn’t tell you? Five’s one of those stallions known to be hard to handle, damn near deadly. It’s why Jerry was the one showing him. He’d saddle Five in the trailer, then move him out. Otherwise, anyone who came near would be injured. Five is dangerous.” I crossed my arms and popped a hip out.

  He nodded and moved a fraction of an inch, fiddling with his hat. As he lifted the bill and pulled it low again, he whispered, “He has my son. If you can get on Five, take my son.” He straightened, “Yeah, he forgot to mention the damned horse thinks humans would make a great chew toy or trampoline. Anyway, I’m just here to say you have one more day. Rupert expects you to obey and handle the horse.” His eyes met mine, shadowed by the John Deere baseball cap. His eyes pleaded, begged. I answered as best I could. “Fine. I don’t need another beating.”

  Gage gave a slow blink, turned and left.

  Now I knew what held him. It was a damn good reason.

  Chapter Nine

  I spent the next day walking the room, unsure if I could ride Five Alarm going full speed. Johnny arrived twice to intimidate me, and I let him believe in his own success. Rupert didn’t show, nor did the elderly woman. Gage delivered the food, and Johnny took full charge of my bathroom breaks. Little bastard wouldn’t let me shut the shower curtain.

  I dressed in another pair of scrubs, and spent the night scheming. I wasn’t sure how Gage planned to hand over his son, and hoped he could do it quickly. Five Alarm would do exactly as I asked, but I wouldn’t have traditional tack, I’d have to use the halter and lead rope. Not ideal, but workable. I also didn’t know how old the child was, or his size, very important information. The lack of details bothered me, but worse, the plan was sketchy at best, downright fatal at worst. The thought of a child’s death on my hands caused shudders to rack my body all night.


  Rays of sunlight drifted slowly across the floor, and I watched, trying to corral the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. To pull off the little escape attempt, I’d need to be cold, calculating. I didn’t know if I could.

  Rupert arrived late in the morning, with clothes and boots. He watched me change, smiling and being obvious about his admiration. I suppressed a shudder.

  I pulled my hair into a ponytail, and followed meekly.

  “What are you planning?” Rupert stopped on the stairs, turning and blocking the path. I stood two stairs up, and looked down my nose. I didn’t hide my true feelings.

  “Anything I possibly can.”

  “We’ll see.” Chuckling, he led the way to the stables. Along the way, three men joined us, each carrying semi-automatics, wearing black suits, and sunglasses.

  I hadn’t counted on them. Rethinking the plans, I substituted one idea for another, and didn’t falter.

  We stopped in front of the stables, as one of the grooms, whose name I forgot, handed over Five’s halter and lead rope with shaking hands. I met his warm brown eyes, hoping he wouldn’t pay for what I was about to do. I glanced at the large door to the stable, seeing Gage peek around the door and nod. He held a tiny hand, and pulled the small child behind him.

  Crap, the kid couldn’t be more than four or five. I looked away, walking to the gate.

  Giving the whistle, I watched Five’s head pop up, ears forward, and turning to fully face me. I’d forgotten his massive size. He stood sixteen point two hands, about the size of a modern racing thoroughbred, and around eleven hundred pounds. He was heavily muscled, his copper penny coat shining in the sun.

  I swallowed, straightened, and whistled again. Five trumpeted and trotted to the gate. I walked inside the pasture, putting a hand on his soft muzzle, whispering commands in his ear. Though several years had passed since I taught him the tricks, I noted his body language, at the ready to obey.

  I held up the halter, and pushed lightly. He lowered his head, as he’d been taught all those years ago. He nickered, licking his lips and relaxing. He knew the routine and who was in charge.

  I slid the halter over his face, buckling it slowly, all the while making soft whistles, a few clicks of the tongue. I waited, the lead rope hanging loose. Five took two steps back and flicked his tail. He remembered. Pops, the lead mare, whinnied loudly.

  I tossed the lead over his withers, and walked out of the pasture, pushing the gate closed and moved to the stables. I stopped in front of Rupert. “Where do you want him?”

  Rupert smiled, “The trailer is parked on the other side of the stables. Get him loaded.” He gave a gentlemanly gesture, bowing slightly.

  I walked forward, giving Five the hand signal.

  He released a long, sharp neigh.

  All hell broke loose.

  Pops pushed through the gate, and the herd of mares followed, galloping through the stable yard. Five bucked, landing a hard kick to Rupert’s shoulder, and putting a steel shod hoof into the face of a bodyguard. The humans scattered as I threw my good arm over Five’s neck, whistled and he bolted. I lifted my legs, slammed them on the ground, the momentum throwing my legs back. I used it to swing on his back, leaning to the side. We shot through the stable and into the darkness offered by the shadows. As we entered, Gage tossed his son in the air. I caught him and pulled the small boy to my chest. Agony pulsated through every inch of flesh, and I shuddered, trying to resist.

  Five turned through one of the hallways on the north side of the stables, through a smaller double door, and into the morning light. I struggled to right myself, as Gage’s son wrapped around me like a monkey. Soft whimpers escaped, head buried in my neck, tiny legs shaking as they wrapped around my chest. I used my broken arm to hold him as close as possible, acutely aware of his frailty, and my weakness.

  I listed to the side, pulled on Five’s mane, gained my balance, leaned forward, and tapped Five’s sides with my heels.

  We rocketed to the highway, a mile from the farm. I let Five have his head, wrapping his long mane around a hand, and tightening my grip around the little boy. I could feel his tears, the little body shaking.

  A bullet whistled by, and I looked under my arm. One of the bodyguards was aiming, and I nudged Five to the right as yet another bullet whizzed past my leg. I could see the highway, and slammed my heels against Five. He jumped into a higher gear, breathing hard, but his body lengthened, closer to the ground, the speed making my eyes water.

  Five turned to the right, following the highway. I leaned back, trying to slow down, but he’d found his freedom, and we were only along for the ride. A truck pulled next to us, and the window lowered.

  “Is he running away with you?” A man, in his late thirties, shouted.

  “Yes!” I noticed a woman with him, pressed into the seat. She peeked out the window. “Help us! Take the child to the police, quickly! He’s in terrible danger!”

  They gave a look of confusion, yet nodded. The woman, good looking and in her mid-thirties, leaned out the window, arms outstretched.

  Five started to slow, running out of steam. We’d traveled at least two miles, and though he was trained for reining as well as eventing, he’d run the length of the Belmont Stakes, and was coming on the third mile.

  The woman said something to the driver, and the truck inched closer as she strained to reach the little boy. Five’s speed slowed more. I pulled the boy off, kissed his cheek, and maneuvered Five closer to the truck. We were down to a normal gallop, Five sweating and breathing heavily. He tried to slow, but I kicked him. He gained enough speed for me to hand off Gage’s son.

  The woman pulled herself into the cab of the truck, clutching the tiny body, crying, and nodding at me.

  Please let that be the right thing to do.

  “Police! Spade Farms!” I screamed as the truck sped away, the driver weaving around traffic.

  Five slowed first to a lope, then a jog, and finally, a walk. I stopped him, grabbed the lead rope and slid to the ground. My legs gave out and I fell forward. Five’s head dropped, as his body shook, his breathing erratic, sweat forming a foam over half his body.

  I sat up, holding his nose. “I’m sorry, honey. If I have to die, so be it. But that little boy needed to get out of there, even if it meant sacrificing you. You still have a chance.” I slid a hand up his cheek, pulled a little on the halter, until his nose reached the ground. I unbuckled the halter, took it off, and tried to stand, but failed. I noticed blood trickling down Five’s hindquarter. Damn it, they shot him. I crawled to his back end. I pulled on his tail, using it to stand, and breathed a sigh of relief. The bullet hit the meatiest part, and if he found medical help quick enough, he’d survive.

  It hit me, he’d saved the little boy, shot in the hindquarter, doing everything I demanded. My colt, my beautiful, beautiful colt, had grown into a horse filled with more courage than many people I’d met over the years.

  A black Mercedes raced down the highway, heading straight for us, and I recognized it. I slapped Five’s injury with the halter and he bolted. He crossed the highway, causing several cars to slam on brakes and attempt to avoid him. I fell to my knees, not watching. If they’d only brought the car, they wouldn’t catch him.

  One of the black suits jumped out of the car, grabbed me by the arm, and dragged me to the car, throwing me into the backseat.

  I was going to die from that stunt, but Gage’s brave little boy would live.

  Chapter Ten

  Rupert was livid. His bodyguard was dead, Five Alarm was gone, and I refused to help. People ran in all directions, grabbing gear, weapons, and bags. Someone listened to a police scanner and heard two cars were being sent to investigate a report of problems at Spade Farms.

  I was manhandled and tossed like a ragdoll into the back of the trailer meant for Five Alarm. I landed on top of Gage. I rolled off, turning to look at him. They’d worked him over. He had cuts all over his body, large patches of skin missing, muscle showing, and bloo
d seeping. I tore off my shirt and tried to cover some of them, sure he couldn’t survive.

  He moaned as I rolled him to the left, putting a shirt on the floor to give some kind of protection against the filthy wood flooring. I settled him as gently as possible.

  “Son?” he croaked, breaths rattling in his chest.

  “The police have him.” I cupped his torn cheek, trying to keep the meat together. “He’ll be okay. Does he know his full name? Address?”

  “He has his grandfather’s number memorized. It’s all he needs,” he wheezed. “He’ll survive. But once Father finds out …” Gage slipped into unconsciousness.

  Sitting back, hugging my calves, chin propped on my knees, I watched as he bled, the tan skin going pale. His breathing slowed, and I could do nothing. Reaching over and grabbing his hand, I needed to convey he wasn’t alone. I wouldn’t want to die without at least someone knowing.

  The side door was opened, and Rupert glared. I calmly returned the gaze. Death was inevitable, nobody got out alive. It was a matter of how a person went.

  “We caught Five. You’ll share the trailer with him for the next few days as we move to the other location. Do that again, and I’ll kill all of you, promises be damned.” He slammed the metal door.

  I sighed, dropping my forehead on my knees, and concentrated on breathing. If they captured Five, I’d live a little longer. The injury would keep him from hurting anyone, but only until healed. They still needed me.

  I peeked at Gage, sure he was dead. Instead, I noticed his chest rising and falling, shallow, light, but steady.

  The back of the horse trailer opened, a blindfolded Five Alarm weaving and shaking before the opening. I stood, closed the partition to protect Gage, and limped to help load Five. The minute he heard my voice, and a whistle, he meekly walked into the trailer.