Chapter Seventeen: The Message
Victor Black was looking directly into the camera.
Rain poured around him in silver sheets while thunder rolled across the mountains behind the black SUV parked outside the gates.
And somehow—
Even through a grainy security screen—
He looked calm.
Too calm.
Kylie’s stomach twisted violently.
Because people didn’t stand outside armed ranch invasions looking relaxed unless they already believed they’d won.
“Oh my god,” she whispered.
Victor lifted one gloved hand slowly.
Then tapped two fingers against the side of his temple.
Like a salute.
Or a warning.
Before the camera feed suddenly cut to black again.
Kylie stumbled backward from the monitors instinctively, pulse thundering painfully in her ears.
This was insane.
Actually insane.
Gunshots.
