Off Limits

OFF LIMITS CORRUPT COWBOYS BOOK ONE EMMA CREED Off Limits Copyright 2023 by Emma Creed All Rights Reserved First Edition No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The use of any real company and/or product names is for literary effect only. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Cover design by: Rebel Ink Co Interior design by: Rebel Ink Co Editing by: Yvette Mitchell Proofreading By: Andrea Stafford CONTENTS Author Note Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Epilogue Corrupt Cowboys The Dirty Souls MC Series His Captive His Sacrifice About the Author Acknowledgments AUTHOR NOTE Off Limits and all books in the Corrupt Cowboys series are a work of fiction and contain adult content. Due to the nature of the series you should expect to come across various subject matter that some readers may find disturbing, and it is intended for readers 18+ Please contact the author if you have any questions. OFF LIMITS CORRUPT COWBOYS BOOK ONE “Tell him he’s crazy,” I look at my brother and wait for him to have my back on this. “I’m with Garrett on this one, Pops.” Cole gives his answer, and our father shakes his head in disappointment. “Half the herd have been taken, and we know exactly who’s behind it. If you go the official route and put in a complaint, I guarantee those cattle will be over the border by tomorrow. Give me five men from the bunkhouse, and I’ll have ‘em back by tonight.” “There’s no way you’re getting that livestock back without a fight.” Pops creases his brow, the way he always does when he’s thinking something over. “Oh, I fully intend on it. You think I’m just going to get our livestock back? I’m gonna teach those rustlers a lesson.” “And how do you suppose you’ll find them?” Our old man sits back in his leather chair and folds his arms. He thinks he’s got me beat, but he’s wrong. “I’ve heard Trevor Henson takes his cut from the rustlers. He’s what they call a fixer, and I do know where to find him. I got Finn and Tate on standby, waiting to ride into town to pick him up.” “Pick him up?” Pops’ eyebrows raise sarcastically. “Yeah, they’ll take him out to the line camp so I can talk with him.” “What kinda talk are you thinking of havin’?” Pops may disapprove of it, but he’s fully aware of the kinda shit that goes down at the line camp. “Well, that’ll all depend on Trevor, and how willing he is to share his information.” I shrug. “Call off the boys. I’ll contact the commissioner and have him send an agent to speak to Trevor.” Pops’ order makes me even more savage. It’s exactly why our family is failing. The old man needs to stop being so stubborn and find the sense in what I’m saying. But instead, he rolls his eyes and lights himself a cigar, acting like us losing fifty grand worth of cattle ain’t an issue. How the fuck am I supposed to drag us out the hole he’s put us in when this is his attitude? With Pops everything is financial. He measures a man’s power by his bank balance. This family used to run Fork River. Thirty years ago, no-one would have dared steal our livestock because we were feared. And that’s how I measure a man’s power. By those who fear him. “Pops, I get your morals, and I know you like to stay above the law, but times are changing, and we can’t get left behind. No one plays by the rules anymore, and if we don’t react to this, it’s gonna be us that gets hit every single time.” I tap my finger on his desk to emphasize each of my words. Cole remains leant against the wall, waiting on Pops’ reaction. He’s never scared to get his hands dirty, same as our other brother Wade. Sometimes I have to wonder how we ended up the way we are, when we got a man like Bill Carson for a father. “Let me take care of this.” I take a calming breath and try one last attempt to get him seeing sense. I’m not afraid to throw it all at the wall. This ranch has been part of our family for over 100 years. These valleys and trees ain’t known nothing other than Carsons, and as long as I’m breathing, that’s how it will stay. “And, supposing there ain't five men in the bunkhouse prepared to risk their lives for half a herd?” He tries to be smart and fails. Mitch, who runs the bunkhouse, is on my level, and ever since my old man put me in charge of the hiring and firing, I can guarantee I got five men willing and waiting. “Trust me. This will be Saturday night entertainment for those boys.” I smile to myself. The fact he don’t already know that, only proves he has no idea how his ranch operates outside of his office. I’ve said all I can. Now all I can do is stand back and wait for