EXCERPT

Chassis strode to the two-up where Justice, Tracker, and Renegade waited. Something wasn’t right. It was the same setup as last night. Three of the most prominent men in this hellhole prison were undertaking tasks that should have been relegated to minions.

Justice came forward, beefy chest thrust out, chin held high. He was a big brute of a man with rough, handsome looks. The same for his brother, Tracker.

“They’ll return you to your campsite,” Justice announced in a voice deeper than the canyon they were in. “Tracker will drive you in the two-up. Renegade will bring the goods that were part of the deal.”

There would be no deal. The truth sat deep in Chassis’ gut. But he nodded.

“Off you go.” Justice patted his big hand on the front of the two-up.

Chassis wasn’t going anywhere without Waabooz. “Where’s my rabbit?”

“You got plenty of food that’s cut and spiced for storage, and some rabbit meat.” Justice shrugged.

“She’s not food. She’s my pet.” Chassis stood his ground.

Justice grunted. He snapped his fingers at Renegade, who didn’t protest but trod off to where the livestock was kept.

A rooster crowed.

“Get in.” Justice motioned at the two-up.

Chassis held up his wrists.

Justice shook his head. “Nope. I’ve heard how crafty you are. Nobody beats Mechanix on the highway. You’ll remain bound until you reach your campsite.”

Bound? Yeah, now Chassis understood their plan. They’d kill him while he was helplessly tied. Nobody who entered this place left alive, lest they give away the secret spot of the community. A man as strong and proud as Justice wasn’t going to allow a so-called marauder to know the whereabouts of their village.

Chassis glanced at Hunter hovering in the background. You cut a deal for nothing, Wolf. Just as you double-crossed your lover by sleeping with me last night, he plans on double-crossing you this morning, and he intends on you being none the wiser.

It was pointless to argue. A man such as Justice with an ego the size of the canyon wasn’t going to grant Chassis his request. They could stand off here until the sun stopped burning. He’d best acquiesce and unbind himself on the way to his campsite where he knew they’d kill him and bury him. That was another reason why Justice had overlooked Waabooz. The son of a bitch figured why bother sending a rabbit on the trip when a dead man couldn’t eat it.