Outlast the Night Read Free Page B

much to himself after that, but the men he would have to work with when the seasonal hires were gone all knew his family, his brother, and the ongoing animosity between the two stations. Or, to be fair, the ongoing animosity Devlin felt toward Lang Downs. Jeremy had never shared that sentiment, even before Caine’s arrival and finding out both he and Macklin were gay, but while Macklin knew that, Jeremy doubted the others would.
    “I’ll still make a better impression by coming to work now, since I know there’s work to be done,” Jeremy said.
    “There’s always work to be done,” Macklin said with a shrug.
    “Then let’s get to it,” Jeremy said. “Come on, Arrow.”

Chapter 2

     
    N EIL pulled his car behind the house he identified to Sam as his and Molly’s. “We’ll put your bag inside. You can unpack later. It’s dinnertime, and you don’t want to miss whatever Kami has cooked up for us.”
    Sam set his bag inside the door and followed Neil across the station. He’d worn his sturdiest shoes, but now he wished he had taken Neil up on his offer to buy him some boots in Boorowa. His shoes would be ruined in a matter of days. He’d already asked Neil for so much, though. He couldn’t ask for more. The canteen was full of men in line to get food from the huge aborigine on the other side of the counter, some men already at tables, eating, and a few who looked like they’d already finished. He didn’t let his eyes linger as he took in the scene. He wasn’t known here, and while Neil had said people accepted the bosses, Sam was an unknown quantity. He didn’t want to start his first evening with a fight. If Neil was right and Caine might hire Sam for his experience as an office manager, fighting or causing a fight was not the right first impression to make.
    Despite himself, though, his gaze lingered on a man sitting off at a table by himself. Sam couldn’t have said what set that man apart from a room full of stockmen, besides being the only man sitting alone, but the dirty-blond hair, slightly spiky, like he’d run his hands through it more than once, and the shadow of a day’s growth on his chin and cheeks called to something in Sam. The man radiated masculinity, and Sam couldn’t help reacting. “Who’s that?” he asked Neil, trying not to stare too obviously.
    “Bloody hell,” Neil spat. “What is he doing here?”
    Before Sam could ask what that meant, Neil was striding across the room. The man who had caught Sam’s eye saw him coming and stood, hands at his side but clearly braced for a fight. A third man, one who looked as hard as the granite beneath their feet, interrupted Neil’s progress. “Don’t blame one man for his brother’s faults.”
    “What’s he doing here?” Neil repeated.
    Deeming it safe, Sam drew closer, wanting to learn what he could about the man and Neil’s reaction to him.
    “Working,” the older man said. “Caine hired him this morning, so unless you want to argue with him over it, back off.”
    Sam tensed, knowing how badly Neil reacted to those kinds of orders when his temper was high. His jaw dropped when Neil shook himself and took a step back. “If Caine hired him, I won’t make trouble, but if he starts anything, I will finish it.”
    “That’s fair, Macklin,” the other man said from his place against the wall. “You know I’m not going to start anything, so as long as he keeps his word, we’ll be square.”
    “I keep my word, Taylor,” Neil ground out. “Unlike some people.”
    “Neil, that’s enough.” Another man entered the conversation, a younger one, with short dark hair and an American accent. Sam figured that must be Caine. “Jeremy asked for a place to stay and a job after he left Taylor Peak. I’ve given him that. I’d appreciate it if you respect that.”
    Neil visibly deflated. “Yes, boss. I’m sorry.”
    “Introduce me to your brother.”
    Neil turned toward Sam. “Caine, this is my brother, Sam. Sam, my boss,