Chapter VII:

Caroline Warner asked in a voice filled with disgust, "What kind of sick and twisted person are we dealing with?"

Malcolm Beck replied, "Kody Dutton is very dangerous yet he has a code of honor."

Caroline Warner scoffed, "I find that very hard to believe; I mean anybody capable of such depravity is a psychopath."

Malcolm Beck chuckled as he said, "While I believe that is true; Kody Dutton will not ever harm a child or a woman."

Caroline Warner asked, "So if we sent a woman in to seduce him and either get him to betray his family or kill him; would that in your estimation have a chance at working?"

Malcolm Beck shook his head adamantly as he stated. "Absolutely not; If he discovers we were trying to play him and worse get him to betray his family he will lay siege to this place and anyone even remotely connected with Market Equities and he will not stop until not only, are we dead but out our entire families are in the ground as well."

Caroline Warner asked, "But you said he would never harm women and children?"

Malcolm Beck replied, "Yes I did say that and he won't...unless..."

After several minutes Caroline Warner snapped in an exasperated voice, "Unless what dammit enough with the cryptic shit?"

Malcom Beck continued as if she had never spoken, "Unless his family is threatened... And once that happens all bets are off and no one is safe."

Caroline Warner asked, "In your estimation is he the most dangerous member of the Dutton Family?"

Malcolm Beck was quiet for several minutes then he began to speak, "Yes; he is the most physically dangerous of the Duttons with Rip Wheeler and his twin brother Kayce coming in a very close second but make no mistake Beth and John Dutton are deadly in their own right."

Caroline Warner asked, "How do you mean?"

Malcolm Beck replied, "I mean that they are deadly in that they will ruin your reputation and ultimately kill you when you have nothing left. But make no mistake Beth is as bloodthirsty if not more so than her brothers or her fiancé. And remember Kody and Rip but especially Kody is very brutal and utterly ruthless."

Caroline Warner nodded as she said, "I'll remember that."

When Kody walked into the main house John asked, "How's Walker and Travis?"

Kody replied as he took off his chaps and shed his duster and fell wearily into a chair, "The docs say Travis is stable but Walker is still critical."

John nodded and was about to say something when Beth walked into the room, took one look at Kody and said, "You look like hammered shit; you need to get some sleep."

Kody replied as he rose to his feet and got a cup of coffee and rejoined John and Beth, "No; I just need a cup of coffee then I'm back at it."

John knew ever since the second attack on the ranch Kody had been riding guard all hours of the day and night and estimated that in past 8 days since the last attack, he had slept a grand total of 8 hours. He said, "Ypi need sleep son."

Kody shook his head as he drained his coffee, put his cup in the sink and went to put his chaps back on and shrug back into his duster, "Nope; can't. Gotta be ready if they hit us again. I won't let you down again."

John realized with heartbreaking clarity that Kodu held himself responsible for the Divine Discord biker gang attacking them and most likely thought he did as well. He said in a soft but firm voice, "Son stop and sit down now."

Kody knew that voice all too well. That voice meant John was serious. He dropped the duster back on the chair and rejoined John and Beth and lit a Parodi as John said, "I want you to listen and listen good. The attack by the bikers was not your fault; I know you blame yourself for Walker and Travis being hurt and that stops now. It is not your fault. You need to get some rest we will repay everyone that had a hand in our being attacked with blood and bullets. We all know that you, Rip and Kayce would give your very lives to defend this family and this ranch."

Beth picked up where her father left off, "You always try to take care of everybody; when is the last time you took care of yourself?"

Upon seeing his questioning look she clarified, "I mean go out and cut loose. Find a girl and-"

Both John and Kody cut her off, "We get it Beth shit."

Kody grinned wryly as he stubbed out is half smoked Parodi and said, "Well I reckon 'm goin' to get me some shuteye."

Before he ascended the stairs he said, "Wake me up if anything happens."

Both John and Beth said, "Nope get some sleep. Kayce, Rip and the others can take care of whatever comes up."

Kody wryly shook his head and ascended the stairs. Once he got to his room he quickly undressed and fell into bed and was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

As soon as Kayce stepped into their room Tate asked, "Is Uncle Kody mad at me?"

Kayce answered, "No buddy; why would you ask that?"

Tate replied, "Every time I ask him if wants to go riding or working on my roping, he always tells me he's too busy."

Kayce knew his twin brother held himself responsible but he had no idea he was this bad. Kayce squatted down in front of his son and said, "Uncle Kody's not mad at you he's just protecting us; I know he can be gruff but he's like grandpa. He loves you very much. In fact, why don't you go see if grandpa will take you riding."

Tate gave his father a hug and tore out of the room. Once he was gone Monica said as she came out of their ensuite bathroom and said as she wrapped her arms around him from behind, "That was really sweet of you to defend Kody but I'm really worried about him. Ever since the last attack all he does is ride guard; he barely eats or sleeps."

Kayce turned to face her and held her close as he kissed her and said lightheartedly "Should I be jealous; I mean you worry about Kody so much."

Her dark brown eyes twinkled mischievously as she said, "He is ruggedly handsome you know."

She squealed in a mixture of glee and surprise as he scooped her up into her arms and dropped her onto their huge four poster bed and dove in beside and pulled, he on top of him as he growled lightheartedly, "You think he's ruggedly handsome, do you?"

She replied, "Not as handsome as you baby. I'm just really worried about him."

Out of all the Dutton children Kody was the only one that supported her marriage to Kayce and welcomed her with open arms into the family. She also remembered that she was the first one to comfort him after he lost Genevieve and twins. Kayce captured her lips with his and kissed her very passionately. Then he said, "Honestly; I've been really worried about Kody as well. The last time he was like this was..."

Monica finished for him, "When Genevieve and the girls were killed."

Kayce nodded as he said, "Yea. I really wish he'd find somebody to spend his life with."

Monica said, "Me too. I think Angela Blue Thunder likes him."

Kayce looked at her in surprise as he asked, "The lawyer for Thomas Rainwater; what makes you think that?"

She replied, "Didn't you see the way she was watching Kody at the hospital?"

Kayce shook his head as he asked, "Do you know her?"

Monica said, "I've heard things; none of them good but for Kody's sake I hope they're wrong."

Kayce asked, "Why?"

Monica replied, "Because if there's anybody that can tame your wild and reckless twin it's Angela Blue Thunder. Her take no shit attitude is just what Kody needs."

Kayce grinned as he ran his fingers through Monica's hair and whispered, "I hope so baby I really hope so."

Will Angela Blue Thunder get with Kody