My Guardian Knight

by Lynette Marie

  Amanda took a deep breath, expecting the fear to rush over her like a waterfall, but all she could feel was a deep, soul-clenching anger at the way he had dominated her life for so long. She said nothing, but regarded him calmly. She knew that he probably expected her to quiver timidly and cower into a corner, but she was a different woman now than she had been then. She was stronger, and she had learned how to survive in the world on her own. No one, not even he, could take that away from her now.

  “Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” He waited for a reply but none was forthcoming. “What, no welcoming kiss for your husband?”

  “You aren’t my husband!” she exclaimed before she could think better of it.

  “Ah, so you were able to notice the slight irregularity in the marriage license. I didn’t think you had that much smarts. Of course, I never thought you could run from me for so long, either. That is what you’ve been doing all these years, isn’t it?” he taunted. “Running from me?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve merely been following my own way of life instead of succumbing to yours. I don’t understand why you would even want to find

  me, I never meant anything to you.”

  He laughed again. “I’ve come for revenge, and I think you know that. You do remember what happened that last night we were together? When you branded me with that hot poker? I was laid up for more than a while. You burned me almost clear to the bone.” His grin was wicked. “Would you like to see the scar?”

  Amanda couldn’t control the shudder of revulsion that ripped through her body.

  He studied her for a minute. “You have changed. I

  don’t notice the terror in your eyes that I used to invoke.”

  She shrugged. “All things must come to an end sometime.”

  “I don’t think so. I still have a few cards up my sleeve, so to speak.”

  She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of asking what he was talking about, or acting as though his words bothered her. She looked him in the eye silently, avoiding the one thing about him that did still frighten her—the star pinned to his chest. That a man so evil could have so much power was a scary thought indeed. And, if given the chance, she knew he would carry her away from here kicking and screaming. She also knew that, Avery’s status as marshal notwithstanding, she would never make it to the authorities alive. He would deliver his own brand of justice.

  Standing up straight, she told herself not to worry. Sebastian wouldn’t be gone long, John was just outside, and Justin was very close, also. As long as she could keep him talking she could buy time.

  “I can see the wheels spinning in your head, sweetheart. There’s no one to help you, you know. You feel safe with all the manpower around here, but I’ve been watching the place for weeks, and you can be sure that I’ve taken care of all the loose ends, if you know what I mean.” He winked at her.

  He’s lying, she told herself. Don’t believe anything he says, he’s trying to scare you.

  And it’s working!

  “And those brats of yours? I have them, too. I’ve tied them to each other and put them in the stables with that no good lawman.”

  Amanda felt pure, bone-chilling panic run rampant

  through her system, but she was determined for him not to see. She clutched the wall behind her as she fought for control over her emotions. He must have snatched them on their way to Sharon’s house. Her back was to the window so she couldn’t see if the orange blanket was in place. Calm down. Try to move around a bit so you can get a look.

  Even if they were tied up, she knew he would have no use for them. He would take her away and Sebastian would somehow find a way to get loose and take care of the children.

  “Which one of those kids is mine, anyway?”

  She stiffened, wanting desperately to keep his attention away from Matthew, until the import of the words struck her. She couldn’t help it, the urge was simply overwhelming, and she let out a peal of laughter that shook the house. Avery’s face darkened with rage, but she didn’t care. He advanced on her, but still she laughed, until his fist crashing against the side her head cast her sprawling onto the floor. Suddenly it wasn’t quite so funny anymore.

  “Well?”

  “Do you really not remember whether I had a girl or a boy, Avery? Come on, I’d not expect you to remember a name or a face, but I thought certainly you might recall the gender.” She was still sitting on the floor, trying her best to ease her way around so when she stood she’d be able to see out the window facing the Mahoney’s house. In the guise of grasping a small table to help her stand, Amanda positioned herself toward the rear window. Unfortunately, this put her with her back to Avery, but she when she stood up she was rewarded with a clear view of the Mahoney spread. Her body sagged against the table momentarily, so weak was she from the sight that met her eyes. Avery thought the blow he’d delivered must have been harder than he’d known and made her ill. He smiled at the thought.

  Amanda didn’t care. She didn’t care what he was doing right then, for she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts, and at that moment self-preservation wasn’t one of them. She couldn’t have cared less what he planned to do with her; the children were first and foremost in her mind because, finally, she could see Sharon’s clothesline.

  And the ratty old orange blanket had never looked so beautiful to Amanda than it did in that moment, flopping happily in the breeze.

  Her confidence restored, she turned around to confront him, and found that he had advanced and stood mere inches from her. She took a deep breath, trying in vain to clear her foggy mind.

  “Enough stalling. It’s time to go, Amanda.”

  “No.”

  His features darkened frighteningly. “I said it’s time to go, little girl. I’m not used to being disobeyed. You see this star on my chest? This gives me the legal right to take you in.

  You are a wanted woman, you know.”

  She lifted her chin. “You are a corrupt official and I don’t have to go anywhere with you. You made up those charges and soon the whole world will know it.”

  “You tried to murder me!” he yelled.

  “No, I didn’t! I tried to protect my child from a madman, and any judge who knew the whole truth would not find me at fault.”

  She could tell that her coolness, her very lack of fear, was causing him serious annoyance.

  And she was glad.

  Now she could have a bit of revenge herself.

  “I didn’t come here to argue with you. Now you can either walk out that door like a good girl or I can carry you kicking and screaming,” he paused, grinning maliciously, “or

  perhaps unconscious. It’s up to you.”

  Amanda searched her mind for a plan but none was

  forthcoming. “I’m not going with you.”

  Before she knew what was happening, his open hand connected with her cheek and she was sent sprawling backwards, landing beside the fireplace. She had enough presence of mind to throw her arms wide, knocking the poker halfway into the fire. It had worked last time, she reasoned groggily as her head met the hard floor. She stared up at Avery who, from her position, seemed to stand ten feet tall. All she knew was that she had to fight. If she went with him she would surely never see another sunrise.

  Grabbing hold of her arm, he jerked her roughly to her feet, her head snapping back painfully.

  “Let her go,” Sebastian said from the door, his voice a deadly calm.

  Avery turned slowly, still clutching Amanda tightly. “Knight,” he sneered. “I hoped you would get here before we left. I have a few bones to pick with you, too. When I sent you after my wife, I didn’t mean for you to set up household with her. I should have known I couldn’t trust you to do the job of a real man.”

  Sebastian dared a glimpse at Amanda, her entire cheek one bright red splotch, white welts outlining where Avery’s fingers had connected with her soft skin, and tried unsuccessfully to tamp down his fury to a controllable le
vel. “First of all, you’ll remember I refused to do your dirty work, Higgins. And secondly, she’s my wife now and I’ll thank you to take your hands off of her. Or are you afraid to fight with someone your own size? You do seem to prefer the abuse of women and those who are weaker than you. Maybe you don’t have enough confidence in your own strength to challenge a man of my build.”

  Sebastian’s taunts had the desired effect. Avery’s grip loosened and he took a step forward, shoving Amanda aside. She tried to steady herself, but the prior blows had made her a bit dizzy, and her shoulder slammed into the wall, sliding like a wet noodle to the floor.

  Sebastian’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he saw the woman he loved treated so callously. Long years of training prevented him from acting rashly, and he resisted going to her with every fiber of his being, focusing all his attention on Avery. He knew what the man was capable of and was determined to keep Avery’s evil as far from his family as he possibly could.

  “I hear you turned in your badge,” Avery mocked.

  “What’s the matter, Knight, couldn’t handle it?”

  “I didn’t want to stand around watching you hang innocent people and not be able to do anything about it. I know what you’ve done, Higgins.” His deep voice was low and menacing. “I’ve given the information to the proper authorities and soon everyone will know what you’ve done.

  Then, it will be your neck on the line.”

  Quick as lightning, Avery pulled his gun. “Drop the weapon, Knight.”

  Calmly, Sebastian tossed his gun to the ground, sparing a glance at Amanda. She was standing by the fireplace, looking down. When he had a chance to follow her gaze, he understood what she planned to do.

  Avery advanced on Sebastian, pointing the gun right between his eyes, smiling coldly.

  Standing firmly in place, giving no hint that he felt the slightest bit nervous, Sebastian said, “It doesn’t matter what you do to me, the information has already been handed over. There’s nothing you can do now but wait. Or run, as you’ve forced Amanda to do for years.”

  Amanda cried out, causing Avery to turn toward her and, as he did, she swung the hot poker in an arc, catching him across the middle. Unfortunately, the scalded tip completely missed his body. Sebastian rushed him, but Avery recovered quickly and both men gripped the gun, which was held between their bodies. They stumbled backwards and, when Sebastian’s back collided against the table, they tumbled over it and landed on the ground with a thud.

  Both men were large and muscular, and neither one could gain the upper hand as they rolled out the door. Amanda looked on with horror as they fought for control, the gun still held between their bodies, and prayed fervently that Sebastian would be unharmed. She could think of nothing that she could do to help because, even though she now had access to Sebastian’s gun, there was no way she could get a clear shot. They were tumbling to and fro, each of them gripping the weapon with both hands, but they were too evenly matched.

  She wondered where John was, since he was supposed to be watching out for her and she had not seen hide nor hair of him since this morning. She knew Sebastian would have told him to keep an eye on the house when he left for town, and she thought it was strange that he was nowhere to be seen.

  Amanda looked wildly around the cabin, desperately searching for something—anything—that she could use to help Sebastian gain control of Avery, but she could find nothing. A glimpse out the window showed her that, thankfully, Matthew and Marissa were still safe and sound at Sharon’s house.

  She returned her attention to Sebastian at the same time as she heard the loud report from the gun, and both male bodies that had been grappling on the ground went perfectly still. She screamed, running forward, terrified to the very core of her being that the deep red blood that was beginning to stain the ground flowed from Sebastian’s body. She called his name, falling to her knees on the ground beside him, no longer caring about what Avery might do to her. She smoothed the hair from his forehead, placing soft kisses on his cheeks, tears that streamed from her eyes falling to wet his lips.

  With a sudden bucking motion, Sebastian knocked

  Avery’s lifeless body off of him and sat up, smiling at Amanda. She threw herself into his arms and they fell backward to the ground. She didn’t care that Avery’s blood stained her dress, all that mattered was that Sebastian had come out of it alive. He kissed her deeply, tenderly feeling her head to make sure she hadn’t sustained any serious injuries. “Oh, Sebastian, I—”

  She was cut off by a noise that sounded like thunder, but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. They sat up and looked toward the sound, surprised to see what looked like an entire army riding quickly toward them.

  Sebastian stood up, pulling her with him, and placing an arm around her waist to support her. He smiled at her in reassurance and murmured, “Reinforcements.”

  Amanda stared in wonder at the dozens of horses that galloped toward them, Avery’s lifeless body forgotten. They stopped a few feet before the house, and a large officer dismounted, stepping up to face Sebastian.

  Sebastian saluted, and his salute was returned. Then the officer grinned, clapping him on the back. “By the looks of your clothing, I’d say either you’re running a slaughterhouse in your spare time, or Avery Higgins arrived here before us.”

  Motioning behind him, Sebastian said, “I did the best

  I could. It was either us or him.”

  The officer nodded. “When I think of what that bastard has gotten away with—” he shook his head, apparently able to find no words strong enough to describe the havoc Avery had wreaked upon innocent people. He shook

  Sebastian’s hand. “It’s better this way. Even with the evidence you’d collected against him, there was no way to know whether he would be made to pay or not. Good work, Knight.

  “My apologies to you, Mrs. Knight, for being unable to prevent such a harrowing experience. We’ve been tracking

  him for a long time, but he’s a slippery fellow.”

  Amanda nodded, absently scratching at the blood that was drying on her arms. “I am just relieved it is all over.” She glanced at Sebastian. “About the warrants out for my arrest—”

  The officer held up a hand. “Taken care of.

  Sebastian told us everything. You are a free woman, Mrs.

  Knight.”

  The words rang in her ears like the toll of doom. Some of the officers slung Avery’s body upon a horse and with a wave they headed back from whence they had come.

  Taking her hand, Sebastian gently pulled her toward the house, sitting her at the table. “Stay here until I get back,”

  he said tenderly, “I have to find out what happened to John.”

  “I want to come.”

  His eyes darkened. “Amanda, I’ve no idea how I’ll find him.”

  “Still, I want to come. You may need my help.” He relented, holding her hand as they headed quickly toward the stable. There they found John, bound and gagged, and fighting angrily to free himself. When he saw the young couple, and their bedraggled state, he blew out a breath of relief. When he’d been released, he grabbed them both in a bear hug. “He caught me off guard, the son-of-a—”

  “It’s all over now,” Sebastian said. “Go to Sharon’s

  and ask her to keep the kids for the evening.”

  Turning on his heel, he led his lady back to the house, once again sitting her down at the table. He heated a cup of tea for her, and while she sipped at it, he silently heated water for a bath. Once the tub was full of steaming water, he helped her undress and eased her down into the warmth. She stared into the fireplace as he shed his clothes and joined her. Amanda leaned back against his hard chest, feeling all the fear and mixed emotions she hadn’t had time to while she was dealing with Avery. She laid her head back against his shoulder as he built a soapy lather and gently washed the blood from her tired and aching limbs. He worked the lather into her hair, firmly massaging her scalp until he felt her beginning to re
lax. Then he held her until the steaming water cooled.

  Washing himself quickly, he jumped out of the tub and dried off, then lifted Amanda into his arms, seated her in a chair, and buffed her body with a towel until it looked pink and healthy again. She looked up at him with sad, tired eyes, and he kissed her forehead before carrying her into the bedroom and depositing her under the warm covers. Even though the sun was just beginning to kiss the horizon, he blew out the candle in the bedroom and climbed in next to her, wrapping his arms protectively about her worn-out body. She snuggled against him, and his warmth surrounded her, bringing with it the now familiar feeling of safety and peacefulness that his touch always bestowed upon her. She kissed his bare chest before drifting off into an exhausted slumber.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  It had been one week since Avery’s death, and the euphoria that they had expected to rush in upon them had yet to come. Instead, it seemed as if the battle with the corrupt lawman had only accelerated the end of their time together. Although it hadn’t been a year since she’d come to stay with them, Amanda knew with a certainty that made her ill that it was time to move on.

  She had wandered around the house this past week, going through the motions of cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family, all the while knowing that it wouldn’t last. She was near tears constantly. Every sweet smile from Marissa had her blinking rapidly in an attempt to control her emotions. How could she live without that child? And Sebastian, well, she could hardly even bring herself to look at him, so great was the anguish she felt at the thought of leaving. She couldn’t bear the pain any longer. The anticipation of walking away was driving her mad. She couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and couldn’t think straight any more. What she needed was to get it over with. Put this life behind her so she could begin the healing process.

  She was standing at the table chopping carrots for stew when she heard Sebastian talking to her from the bedroom door. Amanda didn’t listen to his words, instead letting the sound of his voice wash over her. Remember how deep and soothing that voice is, Amanda, you’ll be hearing it in your dreams for a long time to come. She didn’t say anything, just kept chopping. He walked up behind her, standing but a foot away, making no attempt to touch her. She didn’t turn around. They said nothing and, for the first time since she’d met him, his presence did not make her feel comforted.