Tightening the Ropes [Dark Days Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  Dark Days Ranch 2

  Tightening the Ropes

  Knox has guarded his heart from ever getting close to anyone. Intelligence work was supposed to keep him away from people, but a pull to be closer to the ranch leads him to discover Lewis. With one look at the horse trainer, Knox can feel the walls he’s put up begin to crumble. The damage only gets worse when he gets pulled over by Officer Lynna Gordova. Upon sight, he knows the three are meant to be together.

  But things aren’t as they appear with Lynna. What led her into law enforcement so long ago has returned in the form of their rival enemy. As things heat up between Dark Days and Hidden Hills, the three of them are thrown right into the middle of a fight Knox isn’t sure he’s ready for. Will the Alpha in him be ready to step up to the plate, or will Lynna’s long lost brother be able to convince her that his corrupt plans for her are in Lynna’s best interest?

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves, Western/Cowboys

  Length: 42,228 words

  TIGHTENING THE ROPES

  Dark Days Ranch 2

  Jenny May

  MENAGE AMOUR

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Amour

  TIGHTENING THE ROPES

  Copyright © 2013 by Jenny May

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-62740-589-8

  First E-book Publication: October 2013

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  About the Author

  TIGHTENING THE ROPES

  Dark Days Ranch 2

  JENNY MAY

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter 1

  Knox didn’t get his name from sitting back quietly, watching a disaster play out right in front of him. He was Knox, and like the impenetrable vault on the Fort so famously known for keeping people out, it was much like him. Emotions, connections…there wasn’t anyone who could breach his barriers to get in.

  He’d managed over the years of disappointment to hide his emotions. Nothing would be displayed that he didn’t want people to see. Not a smile, a laugh, and most certainly not his attraction to someone. But as Logan pointed in the direction of the man who was going to be training him for his new job, Knox felt the first crack break through the cement of his foundation.

  “Lewis will be able to teach you what you need to know. I’d love to show you the ropes myself, but since my change into a wolf the horses just aren’t the same around me.”

  Knox tore his eyes off the blond-haired Lewis and turned to his Alpha. Weeks had gone by since Logan had taken over Dark Days. From his mate’s brother, no less. But Myles’s brother, Jack was fine. He was now the alpha of Whiskey River Ranch.

  It’d all come about when Samone, Whiskey River’s former alpha, had kidnapped Myles, as revenge against Jack. Little did she know, Dark Days had a new leader. Logan. And not only was Myles mated him to, but the bond had also pulled her to Samone’s best man, Ty. It had taken days to plan the perfect attack, and outwit her, but they’d done it.

  Nothing concerning his new alpha, though, had come easy. Only recently, had Myles healed completely. Logan and Ty had really been taking it hard. It didn’t help that his job training horses had now taken a turn for the worse. They animals completely freaked out if he neared them. Knox had never seen anything like it before. But he wasn’t about to tell Logan that.

  “It happens in the beginning. They know the predator that lurks within you. They’re smart. Just give it some time and the horses will learn to accept your wolf.”

  Logan nodded. “I sure hope so. “ He walked forward and Knox could feel his legs refusing to work. “How about we go talk to Lewis.”

  The acceleration of Knox’s heart made him a little agitated. Fear was something he didn’t take too well. If he wanted to be truthful with himself, Lewis was about to turn his world upside down. It was enough to scare the shit out of the bravest of men, and Knox was all too aware what was going on.

  “No.” Knox refused to follow.

  “You okay?” The expression on Logan’s face didn’t fool him. Although there was a small amount of confusion, Knox was pretty sure his Alpha was all too aware that there was a connection between the two.

  “Actually, maybe this isn’t—” The sound of Knox’s cell phone ringing cut him off. For the first time in his life, Knox reached in his back pocket like his life depended on it. “It’s my brother. I have to take this.” A sense of dread twisted his stomach. Damien never called unless it was an emergency. Although they didn’t like each other, they st
ill had each other’s backs if anything went down.

  “Speak.” The sound of yelling erupted in the background of his brother’s phone. “Damien!”

  “Knox,” Damien’s heavy breathing took over the speaker. “Man, we need your help. I’m here at the border of Dark Days and Hidden Hills. Something went wrong. Little Rob’s dead. He’s fucking dead.”

  “Oh shit,” Knox whispered. Little Rob had been their friend from Hidden Hills since they’d started intelligence. He was one of the few they dealt with that Knox actually trusted.

  “Yeah, it’s bad, bro. I got Jack here with me, too. He’s hit in the stomach. It doesn’t look good. He’s losing a lot of blood. I need you to bring Logan, Ty and…” Damien groaned, as if in pain. “Call Rogue. I have something y’all might want to see.” The line disconnected and Knox slowly lowered his cell. He looked up, past Logan, and connected eyes with Lewis. The man was looking at him as if he had just seen a ghost. Or…better yet, his mate. Although, he wouldn’t know that since he was human.

  “Well?” Logan looked at him, but Knox’s eyes went back to Lewis. It was only when pressure gripped his forearm that Knox broke himself from the trance caused by his bonding trying to kick in. Logan raised his hands. “You’re really hard to read, but I’m guessing from the oh shit that came out of your mouth that it isn’t good.

  Knox shoved the phone in his jeans’ pocket. “We have to go. Where’s Ty?” He didn’t wait to explain further. That could happen on the way. The border of Hidden Hills was a good three hours away. There was no time to waste.

  “He’s in the barn meeting with the other patrol leaders.” Logan kept up easily. “Are you going to explain?”

  “Nope.” Knox rushed through the opening of the barn. Heads spun in their direction, but he didn’t even look their way. What he wanted was in the very back of the barn. Knox opened the sliding doors that was the back entrance and ripped the car cover off of his ride. He didn’t get to drive his baby anywhere near enough. The black M3 was perfect for the situation, too. It was bulletproof.

  “Ty.” Logan’s voice boomed through the large space. “Let’s go.”

  Knox popped the trunk full of guns and grabbed two Glocks. He handed them to Logan and didn’t miss the wide eyes of his new Alpha. The guy had no idea how bad things were down in the south. These wolves didn’t just fight with their specialized skills. They brought out the big guns, literally.

  Ty grabbed one of the Glocks from Logan, and barely batted an eyelash. “I take it we’re heading south?”

  “Hidden Hills.” Knox said as he grabbed his own gun from the trunk.

  While Ty jumped in the small backseat, Knox got behind the wheel and dialed Rogue’s number. He cursed as it went to voicemail. Typical, for Rogue not to answer. He was stubborn as shit and only called people back. Knox slid the phone in the cup holder expecting it to ring at any moment.

  The roar of the engine took over the silence of the barn. Damn he loved that sound. Not as much as he loved the adrenaline associated with what he was doing, though. Men needed his help, and the fact that Knox was going in when things were going to be the most dangerous was the reason why he loved his job in the pack. He needed the risk and hazards. It was the only thing that made him feel alive. If it weren’t for that, Knox would feel just as dead as he had before he left his home.

  The passenger door shut and Logan reached over and buckled up. Knox actually paused at his action. He couldn’t ever remember a wolf using the seat belt in a vehicle.

  Ty leaned forward. “Weird, isn’t it? I don’t understand how he can stand to feel constrained.”

  “It’s habit,” Logan growled. “Why do you keep teasing me every time I do it? It’s better to be safe than sorry. If we get in a wreck, guess who’s not going through the windshield to become desert ornament.” He lifted his hand. “That’s right, me.”

  Knox put the car in first gear and left the barn. A cloud of dust billowed out behind them as he sped onto the dirt road and headed out of the ranch. His phone rang and he didn’t even look at the caller ID as he connected with the call.

  “Rogue.”

  “You called?” The raspy sound of his brother’s voice broke through.

  “Where are you? Damien needs us.”

  Rogue cleared his throat. “I’m about half an hour into McCullen Ranch. What’s up?”

  “Li’l Rob is dead. Jack’s been shot in the stomach. They’re at the border of Dark Days and Hidden Hills. Damien said it was bad. I think he’s hurt, too, even though he wouldn’t admit it.” Knox sped over the cattle guard and hit the highway, south. The tires squealed as he hardly hit the brakes.

  “If he says it’s bad, then it is. I’m turning around now. I’ll meet you there.” The line disconnected and Knox placed the phone back in the cup holder.

  Logan’s hand lowered from the dash. “Please don’t tell me we’re talking about Myles’s brother, Jack.”

  “No. The Alpha of Whiskey River Ranch is securely behind his borders. His pack protects him well.”

  “He’s my brother,” Logan cut in. “He may be Alpha, but I worry for him more because he’s my mate’s twin and my friend, not because of his leadership role.”

  Knox knew the two had gotten close over the recent weeks. They considered each other brothers because of Myles. And he had liked Jack, too. They’d never been friends, per say, but he still had respect for the guy.

  “Well, no worries, boss. The Jack I’m referring to is part of Dark Day’s intelligence. He’s one of our pack, and from Damien’s tone I don’t think it’s good.” Knox looked over at him. “I’ll be blunt. I don’t think he’s going to make it. There’s something you need to know about the wolves of the south. Especially Hidden Hills.”

  Logan turned in his seat and gave Knox his full attention.

  “If there’s anyone to fear in the surrounding packs of Dark Days, it’s these men.” Knox looked down at the speed odometer. The Beamer was going over one hundred and twenty, and seeing the visions of his past fights with these thugs in his mind so clearly, the speed didn’t seem near fast enough. He needed to get to his brother before it was too late.

  “Imagine wolves in mortal form. Their strength is twice as strong as any mere human. Now strap every single kind of explosive, gun, and high-powered rifle you can fathom to their bodies. They’re killers. Deadly and suicidal. There’s only one thing they care about and that’s their pack. They protect Dag, their Alpha, as if he were a god. No one outside the pack has ever seen him. I don’t know if you noticed, but he’s the only one missing a picture on our billboard.”

  Logan sighed. “Actually, I did notice that. Jack was telling me about him the other day.” He looked back at his mate. “Ty thinks maybe there’s a reason why no one knows what he looks like. I mean, he had a good point.”

  Knox narrowed his eyes and looked over. “What was that?”

  “You can’t see someone who isn’t there. What if he’s like you all? What if he infiltrates other packs as someone he’s not, learning intelligence?”

  The words wouldn’t process in Knox’s mind. He lifted his hands next to his head and made a sound like an explosion. “Mind blown. That’s actually a really good theory. Could explain how he knew we were down at the border. Then again, maybe his intelligence is just that good.”

  Red and blue lights flashed from the dash of a truck racing up behind them. Knox gritted his teeth against the anger. “Dammit. Humans, I swear. Them and their damn laws.”

  “Well, you were going twice the speed limit.” Logan leaned forward and looked at his chest. “And, you’re not buckled.”

  Knox growled as Logan let out a laugh and leaned against the seat. He pulled over and waited as the truck pulled in behind him. Knox looked through his side mirror as a pair of long legs in tan got closer. He hit the button and let the window automatically roll down. The Texas heat poured in making him break out instantly in sweat.

  “Do you know why I pulled you over?”<
br />
  Knox’s vision slowly trailed up the sheriff’s uniform. Nice curvy figure. Breasts. He couldn’t quite tell the size from the button-up shirt, plus he was betting she was wearing a vest. Annoyed, he twisted his mouth and looked up to her face, shaded by a cowboy hat. Full lips were the first thing that caught his attention. The light pink lipstick was so natural looking on her face that he could hardly tell she was wearing it. He moved up to her defined, high cheekbones. Again, a light color traced her face. The aviators only annoyed him more. What did her eyes look like? Were they round, almond shaped? What color were they?

  “I think I asked you a question. Do you know why I pulled you over?” She obviously didn’t like him ogling her. She seemed to be just as agitated at the situation as he was.

  Knox rolled his eyes. “My guess is that it was because I was doubling the speed limit.” He opened his door and got out. Her hand instantly went to her gun.

  “Get back on the ground!”

  Knox continued. “I mean, it’s a wild guess because I doubt you’d know about all the guns in the trunk, and I’m pretty sure you couldn’t see that I was unbuckled from behind.”

  She clicked the safety off her gun and reached for the radio attached to her shoulder. Knox was on her before she could move. He disarmed her, throwing her gun into the open field, and ripped the radio off her shoulder. The handcuffs were placed on her wrists while she fought and kicked at him. The cowboy hat floated to the ground, and the pinned-up long, dark hair fell in a wavy mess to the middle of her back.

  “You son of a bitch! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”