Kade clamped down on the rage burning through him. He wanted Keller, but taking care of his men came first. Kade made another call to the sheriff, told him Alejandro Ramirez, one of his ranch hands, had been shot and that he was being airlifted to the hospital in Vail.

“I’ll need to talk to Ramirez,” Carver said. “I’ll check in with the hospital, speak to him as him as soon as he’s stable.”

“You need to find this guy, Sheriff. Before he kills someone.”

“I’ll find him. As soon as I have the information I need, I’ll put out a statewide BOLO.”

“I’ll let you know if I find out anything else,” Kade said.

“This is police business, Kade. You need to stay out of it.”

Fat chance of that. “I have to get going. Keep me posted, Glen.” Kade hung up the phone.

Now that he’d notified law enforcement, he needed to be sure his men were protected, which meant he needed to set up security patrols. Then he was going after Frank Keller. He could track a man as easily as he could a cougar or a bear. He’d find Keller and deal with him—one way or another.

The thought had barely formed when he spotted Slate’s white Ford F-250 barreling toward them down the dirt road, flinging muddy slush where the snow had melted. It was October, not yet winter. With any luck, the snow would be gone and not return until next month.

Kade strode over as the pickup braked to a stop. Shoulder to shoulder, Slate and Kade walked to the back of the truck. A bedroll had been spread open, and Alejandro lay on top, his eyes closed, his swarthy face washed out to the color of glass. Riley rode next to him, the cast on his leg sticking out in front of him.

Kade reached down and took hold of Alejandro’s limp, dark hand. “Chopper’s on the way. You hang in there, you hear? You’re gonna be okay.”

Alejandro’s black eyes cracked open. “Did they catch the chin-gadero who shot me?”

“If they don’t, I will.”

Alejandro managed a nod, and his eyes slid closed. A whop whop whop signaled the arrival of the life-flight helicopter. It also told the household staff that something was going on. Maria rushed out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she raced toward him.

“What’s happened?” The pickup tailgate was down, and she could see Riley sitting in the back.

“It’s Alejandro. He’s been shot.”

Maria made a high-pitched sound in her throat, turned, and ran toward the truck. Kade knew the girl had feelings for the handsome Latino. There was no way to mistake the blush in her cheeks whenever he was near. Alejandro hadn’t seemed to notice. Which Kade figured was better all around.