Colt listened with rapt attention as Trina said the same thing everyone else had. No, she hadn’t seen Mason since the day before.
“Dammit.” For a fleeting scary few seconds, Colt’s training and years of experience fled. He didn’t know what to do, didn’t know where to start. Mason was gone, and it was his fault. He’d gotten distracted. Let his guard down. His heart boomed so loud in his chest it echoed like thunder in his ears. “I think . . . I think he’s been taken.”
Katie gasped as Wes stepped forward and put his hands on Colt’s shoulders. Colt stared into his brother’s intense eyes like a lifeline and let Wes’s strong grip ground him so he could realign and focus again.
“Hey. You know what to do,” Wes said, his voice a steady rumble of reason. “Where and when did you see him last, and what was he doing?”
“He got up to let the dogs out earlier,” Colt said. He took a few deep breaths as images of him and Mason making love the night before flashed in his mind, because that’s what it was, and the feel of his skin and press of his body. He shook himself. “I must have fallen back asleep because he was gone when I woke up.”
“Have you tried calling him?”
Colt shook his head. “Forgot to charge my cell last night.”
Wes frowned, and the first flash of worry skirted over his expression. Carefully, he said, “So, you didn’t get the message from Nick?”
Apprehension clawed at him. “What message?”
“Gus and Gentry made bail,” Wes replied. He tightened his hold on Colt’s shoulders. “They were released late last night.”
Fresh panic, hot and searing, reared up inside Colt. A deafening cacophony of bells ringing and clanging in his mind drowned out his thoughts.
“They can’t be that stupid,” Colt choked out. His words strangled. “Right after making bail . . .”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Dread gnawed at his guts.
He should never have let Mason out of his sight. He should have gone with him to let the dogs out, stayed glued to his side like he was supposed to. He knew there was a likelihood the Bristows would make bail, but in a day or two maybe, not the same day.
“Okay.” Wes dropped his hands from Colt’s shoulders and took a step back. “You’re the best at logistics, so take your feelings for Mason out of the equation. He’s a client like any other. No emotional attachment. What’s our next step?”
Colt stared at Wes for a second. His brother was damn smart. Both were. Wes could run a plan just as well as Colt, but he appreciated what Wes was doing—redirecting Colt’s thoughts from spiraling so he could do his job like the professional he was supposed to be. Mason was in danger, and Colt needed to be at the top of his game. Not spinning circles in a confused cloud of panic. Colt huffed out a breath and then took a couple more long, deep inhalations and exhalations.
“Gather all the staff into the yard,” he said. “See if anyone has any idea of his whereabouts.”
“Thad, Dion, and Brett are out feeding the mustangs,” Selma said, absently petting the Spice’s neck.
“Can you call them in?”
Selma’s dark eyes were wide with worry, but she nodded. “Will do.”
“Okay,” he said, his voice stronger now that he had himself back under control. Somewhat. He turned to Wes. “Call Nick and tell him that it’s highly possible Mason has been . . . abducted.” Colt’s throat closed on the last word. Saying it aloud made it real, and his mind threatened to spiral again. “Then we’ll question everyone once they’re gathered in the yard. Hopefully, someone has seen or heard something.”
“Next?” Wes asked, his voice firm and commanding, and kept Colt on track.
“Then you, me, and Levi will start tracking Mason.”
Wes nodded, his gaze intent.
“What about us?” Katie asked, her words shaky.
“Check on the dogs,” Colt said. “They’re by the fence at the main house.”
“I want to help search for Mason,” she said, her eyes shining and imploring.
“You can help by keeping an eye on things here,” Colt said gently. He knew if it were one of his brothers, he’d be first in line to search for them, but they had training, skill, and experience that Katie didn’t. He didn’t have the mental capacity to worry about anyone else but Mason right now. “In case he’s just out for a wander and comes back.”
She looked like she was about to argue, but Angela tugged her to her side with an arm around her waist. “We can do just as much here as out there.”
