Chapter 18
"How do you lose someone?" Chris snapped, climbing into the truck with Vin.
Vin didn't answer, figuring the question was rhetorical. Buck hadn't given them any details, just that JD had somehow misplaced Kaylee. A very drunk Kaylee, according to JD.
Vin scanned the rodeo grounds as he pulled out, hoping Kaylee would make her own way back. Safely.
Ahead of them, Buck rode with Josiah in his battered old Suburban. Nathan had stationed himself near the campers, ready to call if Kaylee came back alone.
There was no sign of Kaylee along the street, so Vin pulled into the parking lot of the bar JD had said it had started at.
JD and Casey were coming from the opposite direction.
Buck got out of Josiah's vehicle and strode toward them.
"We've walked all over, trying to find her," JD said.
"What happened to you?" Buck interrupted.
Vin eyed the bruise blooming on JD's jaw, the blood that hadn't quite been all the way cleaned up under his nose, the split lip.
JD's jaw worked. "Fulton," he spat out.
Vin kept his posture easy, a naturally ingrained move after years of bad news and facing off against any number of kids and adults in his foster placements, but his voice was dangerous. "He with Kaylee?"
JD shook his head. "I got him away. But then she took off somewhere."
Chris wasn't in the mood to get the details just then, ready for action. He jerked his chin toward the town. "We'll split up. Josiah and JD can take the vehicles, the rest of us on foot. Go in any place that's open, ask anyone if they've seen her."
Vin nodded his agreement, but added his own plan. "I'm going to get Ezra. He'll want to help."
Chris' green eyes were dark, but he finally relented with a nod. Vin knew Ezra's stubborn refusal to fix things with Kaylee was wearing down Chris' already short patience in the best of times. Vin made a mental note to steer Ezra clear of any area Chris was searching.
With an agreement to call if anyone found anything, they parted ways. Vin knew where Ezra's game was taking place, a biker bar at the other edge of town. He got back in his truck and headed that way.
#
Ezra settled back in the creaking wood chair, glancing at the cards in his hand. When the rest of the men at the table looked at their own cards, he scanned the bar from his vantage point in the back corner. The game he had found was with a rougher group than he usually preferred, but in a town the size of Long Branch, one couldn't be picky.
Not picky, but wise. Ezra made sure he knew what every patron in the bar was doing, was alert to every move of the other players, ready for any temper that may get out of control. And, for extra insurance, his spring loaded holster was strapped to his wrist beneath the sleeve of his coat. The derringer was small, but had come in handy in the past.
Ezra put three cards face down and nodded to the dealer. "Three." He was sliding the cards across the table toward him when the door opened on the far side of the bar and a familiar blonde walked in.
He cursed silently. His interest no longer on his cards, he tucked them in place with barely a glance, looking back at Kaylee making her way toward the bar.
A burly biker with a beard in a braid that ended mid-chest smiled at her and his voice was loud enough to hear him offer to buy Kaylee a drink.
Kaylee's eyes narrowed as she studied him and for a second Ezra had the hope that for once in her life she would choose the reasonable course of action. But, true to form, a friendly smile burst forth and she chose the path that would cause the most problems.
Ezra folded, not entirely sure what his cards even read, ready to watch Kaylee and the Neanderthal next to her while the game played on around him.
The door opened again and Vin Tanner walked in, scanning the back of the barroom first. When he saw Ezra, he started toward him. Ezra couldn't imagine why Vin would be looking for him, but was glad to have an extra man on his side when things invariably headed downhill.
Ezra stopped him with a look, cutting his eyes toward the bar. Vin looked over and Ezra didn't miss the shift in Vin's shoulders, relief crossing his face before concern tightened his jaw. Vin nodded to Ezra and headed to Kaylee.
Kaylee had finished her drink with concerning speed and her companion had ordered another one. Vin greeted the man next to Kaylee amiably, resting his forearms on the bar.
Kaylee turned her smile on Vin.
There it was. The move that set things in motion.
Ezra was ready when the oversized man got off his stool, glowering down at Vin.
"I bought her those drinks," the biker said, his deep voice drawing attention. "You can hit the road."
Vin turned slightly to face the man, his body language easy, unthreatened. He leaned against the counter. "You bought the drinks," Vin clarified. "Not her."
The man took a menacing step toward Vin. Kaylee was squinting between the two of them like watching a play with a script too confusing to follow.
"I would recommend having a seat and finding a new drinking companion," Ezra said mildly, his gun in his hand in a flash. He nudged the barrel against the man's back.
The man raised both hands as if Ezra was holding him up. Ezra smiled slightly in amusement, wondering if the man could possibly think Ezra wanted to rob him of his leather vest.
Ezra guided the man back to his stool before moving around him and getting Kaylee between Vin and himself.
"Ezra?" she slurred, whatever play she was watching clearly making no sense to her now.
"Kaylee," he answered in greeting.
"You're really a damned bastard, you know that?" she asked.
"I'm aware."
Keeping an eye on the caveman back on his stool, as well as any friends of his who may try to assist, Ezra and Vin backed out of the bar, Ezra keeping his gun comfortably available, each of them with a hand on Kaylee between them.
They made it outside, then picked up their pace, Kaylee stumbling along, but not willing to stop until they were sure no one was coming out of the bar after them.
Kaylee let loose a string of profanity when they stopped next to Vin's truck. "Men are really pigs. Selfish, mean, pigs." She leaned against Vin's truck, looking ready to tip over at any moment.
"We are," Ezra agreed.
"Except Buzz back there. He seemed real nice."
Ezra closed his eyes, trying to keep from saying anything to set Kaylee off in her current state.
"I'm sure you would have forged an undying bond with your new friend," Ezra said. "He seemed like a gentleman of means and class."
Vin let out a quiet snort, but didn't offer any comment of his own.
"I think he was," Kaylee said. "He had a motorcycle."
"Always a sign of culture." Vin unlocked the door and Ezra opened it for Kaylee, but she didn't move.
"I think maybe Gage isn't very nice." She frowned.
Ezra could only hope she would remember that opinion when she sobered up tomorrow.
"She had a run-in with him earlier," Vin said under his breath.
No amount of poker table practice would have made him able to conceal his reaction. Ezra's gaze snapped from Vin, looking for details, to Kaylee, trying to see if she was hurt.
"Did he hurt you?" Ezra asked sharply.
Kaylee pushed at the short sleeve of her t-shirt and looked down at her arms. "A little. But I think JD was there…"
The bruises on her upper arms set Ezra's jaw like granite. He moved his arm slightly, feeling the weight of his gun back in its holster.
"Ezra," Vin said, a warning in his voice.
"You'll see Miss Timms home?" Ezra asked. He fell back on the formality to keep his fury in check.
"You know I will," Vin said.
Ezra helped Kaylee into the truck, listening to her let loose a curse that would make a sailor blush when she got in and tipped over sideways onto the bench seat.
Ezra shut the door and started toward his own truck.
"Ezra," Vin called after him. Ezra stopped and waited. "Don't do anything stupid."
Ezra wasn't making any promises.
#
Vin watched his friend go, heaving a sigh. He hauled himself up into his truck.
Kaylee looked up at him from where she was laying. "Your truck is spinning, Vin."
Vin brushed at a loose piece of hair that had fallen across her face. "You had too much to drink."
"I think you should hit the brakes," she suggested, closing one eye and trying to focus on him.
"Let's sit you up," Vin suggested. He got her propped up against the passenger door and pulled the seatbelt around her.
Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he dialed Chris first.
"I found her."
He could hear Chris' sigh of relief through the line. But Vin wasn't done.
"Ezra's goin' after Gage."
Chris' response rivaled Kaylee's language. Next to him, Kaylee started to hum to herself.
"I'll take care of Ezra," Chris said before hanging up.
Kaylee leaned away from the door and Vin caught her, getting her steadied and leaving her to lean against him. She started to sing a Taylor Swift Vin recognized from the radio. Something about trouble.
Vin dialed Buck next. "I have her."
"She's ok?" Buck asked.
Kaylee reached over and honked the horn, yelling at one of the bikers exiting the bar.
Vin quickly started his truck and pulled away from the curb. "She's fine," he said.
"I'll let the others know," Buck said.
Kaylee was studying Vin when he looked back down at her.
"What?" he asked.
"You've got nice hair," she said.
Vin thanked her.
"Have you ever thought about braiding it?" she asked.
Vin glanced down at her. She was studying his shoulder-length hair as if she had never seen it before. "Can't say that I have."
By the time he pulled up next to Buck and JD's trailer, Kaylee had managed to braid one side of his hair.
Vin got out, but before he could go around to the other side of the truck, Kaylee was scooting across the seat toward the driver's door. Vin held it open.
Kaylee went head first out the door and Vin caught her. Her boot got caught on the steering wheel.
"Need a hand?" Buck asked.
Vin grunted from where he had Kaylee's shoulders.
Buck reached into the truck and freed Kaylee's boot, managing to get clipped in the chin by her knee when she tried to help.
"Hi Buck," she said from where she dangled out of the truck, looking up at him. "You're upside down."
Buck grinned down at her and hauled her the rest of the way out of the truck, helping Vin set her upright on her feet.
"Oh, now you're not," she said.
"How about that?" Buck chuckled. He put an arm around Kaylee's waist and started guiding her toward the camper.
Kaylee started singing again. "Playing with the king of hearts, knowing it ain't really smart, The Joker ain't the only foo-oo-ool who'll do anything for you." Her voice wobbled slightly.
"I thought it's supposed to be the Queen of hearts," Buck said, recognizing the song.
Kaylee gave him a look. "That doesn't make any sense."
Vin opened the camper and Buck got Kaylee, still singing, inside. Buck shoved JD's wrinkled blankets aside and lowered Kaylee down onto the couch where she promptly tipped over.
"Oh man, it's spinning again," she said.
"Let's get your boots off," Buck said. He started tugging at her boots while Vin went into the bedroom and tossed the covers back on Kaylee's bed.
"Laying out another lie, Thinking 'bout a life of crime, 'Cause that's what I have to do to keep me away from you," Kaylee sang.
"I don't think you're gonna be turning to a life of crime," Buck said, getting her second boot off.
"But I've lied plenty," she said.
Vin figured whatever lies Kaylee had told had been necessary. "We all have," he said.
"Hey want to see something?" she asked, popping up from where she was lying down, then closing her eyes and weaving.
"Sure," Buck said. "Then I think you should call it a night."
Kaylee nodded as if Buck had spoken wise words. But she stood up, stumbling over her stocking feet and Vin caught her. Kaylee started to lift the hem of her t-shirt and Vin and Buck quickly reacted to put hands over hers and keep it in place.
Kaylee looked at them in confusion and turned so she was lifting the hem in the back.
A neat white bandage was in place.
"What happened?" Buck asked in alarm.
Kaylee peeled back the bandage.
Vin stared at the small black tattoo. He exchanged a look with Buck.
As if it had been lifted from the corner of a playing card, a small 'K' was inked on her back, a heart accompanying it.
"The king of hearts," Buck said, his own eyebrows raised.
Vin carefully put the bandage back in place.
Kaylee faced them again, tears welling in her eyes suddenly.
"I wish I would've had brothers," she said. "Just like you two."
Vin folded her into a hug, feeling a lump in his own throat.
Buck gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"I think you're done for the night," Vin said, keeping an arm around her.
"Ok," Kaylee agreed. She shuffled along toward the bedroom, Buck and Vin keeping her steady. She stopped suddenly and looked up at Buck with concerned eyes.
"Buck?"
"Yeah?" he said gently.
"I'm going to be sick." And she proceeded to throw up on Buck's boots.
#
Ezra found Gage Fulton's trailer easily enough. It was emblazoned on the side with the logos of two of his larger sponsors.
The lock wasn't impressive and Ezra easily opened it, letting himself inside.
He didn't bother looking around the brand new, oversized camper. Choosing an armchair with a line of sight to the door, Ezra settled in to wait.
He didn't have long to wait. Gage must have found company shortly after JD got him away from Kaylee because Ezra heard two voices approaching the camper.
Gage unlocked the door and came in, a petite redhead giggling as he kissed her, the pair heading toward the back of the camper.
Ezra didn't let them get as far as the bedroom before he rose and flicked on a light.
"What—?" Gage whirled around, his lady friend falling down when he let go of her abruptly.
Ezra crossed to the woman and offered her a hand up. She stood, looking between Ezra and Gage.
"Mr. Fulton and I have some business to discuss," Ezra said. "I suggest you end your evening with him now."
Gage shook his head. "Get out of here, Standish."
Ezra didn't move. He eyed Gage without emotion and then turned back to the woman. "This will be rather unpleasant. I don't believe you'll want to be here."
The woman opened her mouth to answer, but Gage's eyes took on a gleam and he nodded.
"Ok, you want to start something. I'm game." Gage took a step toward Ezra.
The redhead looked nervous and scuttled around the two men facing off, hurrying out the door.
Gage had no patience and lunged for Ezra. While JD had been able to hold his own against Gage, Ezra had age and a lot of experience beyond JD's. He easily grabbed Gage, slamming him backwards into the wall.
Gage struggled to free himself and Ezra moved his arm, bracing his forearm against the other man's throat.
He waited until Gage was gasping for breath before he eased the pressure.
"What do you want?" Gage asked.
Ezra smiled as if they were having a casual conversation and he didn't have the other man in his hold. "Well, first I would like to ask if you noticed the new belt buckle in my possession. It seems I have an acuity for business and rodeo. I couldn't help but notice you weren't present for any awards tonight."
Gage choked a little against the hold Ezra had him in. "Ok, fine, you want me to congratulate you? Congratulations. I didn't win anything tonight."
"Thank you," Ezra said. Then his impassive expression disappeared and he could see from the fear in Gage's eyes that his rage wasn't subtle, though it was quiet. He kept Gage pinned against the wall and released his derringer from the holster, smiling grimly when he had the gun in his hand. He pressed the cool metal under Gage's chin.
"What are you doing?" Gage gasped, struggling anew. "You're crazy, Standish. You're insane."
Ezra dug the barrel firmly against Gage's skin. "You're going to stay away from Kaylee," he said, keeping his face close enough to Gage's so there wasn't any risk of Gage missing the message.
Gage swallowed hard, working to do so against the pressure Ezra wouldn't let up. "Yeah, ok. I won't see her anymore."
"You won't look at her," Ezra clarified.
Gage nodded as much as his position would allow. "Ok, yeah, sure. I won't even look her way."
Ezra cocked his gun, the click emphasizing his words. "You won't take advantage of any of the barrel racers."
"I won't," Gage promised.
The door opened behind them, but Ezra didn't move. Gage tried to see around him, but Ezra pressed harder. "You're talking to me, not whoever's back there."
"What are you doing?" Chris' voice carried through the camper and Ezra assumed, judging from the tone, he wasn't too happy with the gun in Ezra's hand.
"I'm discussing etiquette with Mr. Fulton."
"You got to get him away from me, he's insane!"
Ezra didn't move and he noted that Chris didn't seem inclined to help Gage.
"The gun might be a bit much," Chris said conversationally to Ezra, moving to his side.
"He left marks on Kaylee," Ezra ground out. His finger tightened on the trigger.
He felt Chris stiffen next to him. He half expected the man in all black to tell him to go ahead and shoot Gage. But Chris said, his voice deathly quiet, "Let him go, Ezra."
Ezra pushed the gun harder against Gage, wanting to leave a bruise like the ones Gage had left on Kaylee. Giving the barrel one last dig against the man's skin and then shoving away from him.
Gage sucked in a wheezing breath and started to fall to the ground, but Chris grabbed him, hauling him up and giving him a solid punch to the jaw.
Ezra holstered his gun. "You'll remember this talk?" Ezra asked, coming to stand over to the man who was slumping against the wall.
Gage nodded, a hand to his throat, gasping for breath.
Ezra smiled, then landed a solid punch to Gage's midsection. "We'll see you in Las Vegas," he said evenly.
Adjusting his coat over his sleeves to conceal his weapon again, Ezra dusted himself off and followed Chris from the camper.
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