Chapter V:

Two weeks later a Yellowstone Dodge 3500 dually pulled up to the ranch house and Kayce and Rip helped Kody from the truck and into the house. As Rip came out of the house Carter asked, "Who was that?"

Rip replied None of your fuckin' business now get those stalls mucked out."

Carter said as he rushed off to do what Rip had said, "Yes sir."

As the boy rushed off Kody asked, "What crawled up your ass and died?"

Rip smirked as he said, "Keep talking shit."

Kody gave him the finger as he lit a Parodi. He said in a serious tone, "Good job killin' that motherfuckin' bastard Roarke; ain't goin' to lie I really wanted to do it but you did good brother."

Rip chuckled as John asked, "Take a ride with me son."

Kody asked, "Should we really be goin' for a ride?"

John replied, "Call it physical therapy."

Kody grinned as he disappeared into the house and 15 minutes later came out wearing dark brown shotgun chaps, a black oilskin duster and carrying his henry. John asked, "All you got is your rifle?"

Kody flipped back his duster and showed John the bone Grips of his 686. He saw that John was carrying his Ivory handled .45 LC Ruger Vaquero in a cross-draw holster. He smirked as he put his Henry in the rifle scabbard and climbed into the saddle of the saddled Steel Dust Quarter horse and asked as John mounted his horse a blood red bay, "Expectin' trouble?"

John replied as they started off at a trot, "You never know son; these bastards are out to stamp out not only us but our whole way of life."

Kody said, "Not as long as I draw breath they won't."

John saw that while in the hospital he had turned the stubble on his face into a black Buffalo Bill mustache and lip beard. He chuckled mirthlessly as he said, "It won't be easy son."

Kody scoffed, "If I had wanted easy I"d be doin' what Jamie's doin'"

Again John chuckled as they continued their ride. After several minutes John said, "Beth thinks that Jamie is either responsible or involved in the attacks but neither me or Kayce think he had anything to do with it."

Kody said as he lit a Parodi, "I'll talk to im then see where I stand."

John nodded as they continued their ride.

45 minutes later Kody burst into Jamie's office unannounced. Jamie looked up and saw his rather exasperated secretary right behind his younger brother. He said, "it's okay Rebecca I've got. My family is rather short on manners."

She looked at the Henry that was clasped in Kody's right hand and then to Jamie as she asked, "They have an affinity for their firearms, haven't they?"

He chuckled as he said, "My brother thinks he's in a western."

She chuckled as she left the office."

Once she was gone Kody laid his Henry on Jamie's desk and lit a Parodi. Jamie glared at his younger as he spat, "You can't smoke in here; it's a government building. And get your rifle off my desk."

Kody flipped hm the bird as he asked, "Where you been hold up at and why I ain't you called to check up on any of us."

Jamie continued to glare; out of all his siblings he hated Kody the most; even more than Beth if that was in any way possible. He spat out in a voice filled with contempt and utter hatred, "Where I was is none of your damned business. And like I told Beth and Kayce; I did call about Dad and Kayce I just didn't call about you or Beth. Because quite frankly I don't give two shits about what happened to either one of you."

Kody took that in and said in a soft voice, "Sorry you feel that way Jamie; I truly am."

Jamie shrugged his shoulders as Kody clamped the Parodi in his teeth, grabbed his rifle and said before he left, "I'll be keepin' an eye on you brother."

And with that he was gone

Angela Blue Thunder was working on her computer when Beth walked in unannounced. Angela looked up and said, "It's okay Kristine. You may go."

Once the door was closed Angela asked as Beth took a cigarette out of her cigarette case, put it in her mouth and lit it, "What can I do for you Beth; can I call you Beth?"

Beth nodded as she asked, "What are you doing with my little brother?"

Angela smirked as she lit her cigarette and replied, "He intrigues me; I like the fact that he's dangerous and that his very name strikes fear in the heart of Thomas Rainwater. I also like the fact that he doesn't take shit from anybody and that nobody can intimidate him."

Beth laughed as she said, "That's the truth; even as a little kid Kody had a take no shit attitude. He was never scared of anybody and he hates bullies or being played. So, if you're playing him or thinking you're going to turn him against us? Well think again cause that will only end bloody for you."

Angela scoffed, "Are you telling me that Kody will hurt me?"

Beth forcefully stabbed out her cigarette and leaned forward and spart in a hard-edged voice, "My brother would never lay a hand on a woman or a child and if he gives his word, he keeps it. Me on the other hand will wipe the floor with you and bury you both personally and professionally if you fuck with my brother. You'll learn that I'm very protective of my family and my father and Kody especially."

Angela said, "I would not ever dream of playing Kody or turning him against your family; as I said I find him incredibly intriguing and cute. What can you tell me about him? Has he been married, does he have children?"

Beth was quiet for several minutes then she replied, "He was married to a nice girl she was native American; A Lakota Sioux I think and they had twin girls but they were killed by Teal Beck when the Montana Free Militia attacked the ranch."

Angela asked, "Did he kill this Beck guy?"

Beth replied, "Actually Kayce killed him."

Upon seeing the questioning look on Angela's face Beth clarified, "Kayce shot him to save Kody's life. Kody had beaten the shit outta Beck but was shot in the back by one of the militia men and Beck had recovered his pistol and was about to pull the trigger when Kayce killed him. Kody was furious stating it was his right alone to kill Beck."

Angela said, "We were wondering what happened to the Beck brothers."

Beth said My dad shot Malcolm Beck although..."

Angela asked, "Although what?"

Beth said, "Although we never found his body. There's a very very small chance he could be with Montana Free Militia up in the Crazies."

Angela asked, "Anybody in your family think it's true?"

Beth replied, "Kody does."

Malcom Beck and Caroline Warner were discussing what to do about the Duttons when Warner suddenly asked, "Do you think the Montana Free Militia would want another crack at them?"

Beck replied, "I know they would. I also know who else would want a piece?"

Warner asked, "Who?"

Beck replied, "The Divine Discord biker gang."

Warner asked, "Can you get a hold of them?"

Beck replied, "I already have. They heading this way."

Warner laughed as she said, "Good soon we'll teach these redneck assholes what happens when you stand in the way of progress."

Hope y'all like this and slightly alterd ending of the Becks