“Jasper?”
“Yes.”
“Are you doing all right?” She cursed the fact Calvan had moved their chairs back-to-back, making it impossible to see the other’s face.
“Fine. I’m working on loosening the rope around my wrists. A few more minutes and I should have them off. Then I’ll get us both out of here.”
Suzette forced herself not to feel too much hope. “I’ve been trying to do the same, but mine won’t budge.”
“I’m not surprised. Calvan tightened yours before he left, but not mine.”
Silence fell over them. Other than the sound of Jasper tugging at the rope, the small cabin was quiet, the same as it had been since the outlaws rode out. A few minutes later, Jasper let out a low sound of triumph.
“Got them. I need to get them off my ankles, then I’ll work on yours.”
Suzette held her breath, praying they were close to getting away from Calvan and the fate he planned for them. Hearing Jasper’s chair being pushed away, she felt his fingers working on the rope around her wrists. Her shoulders began to relax an instant before a loud swish had her tensing. A scream lodged in her throat when a blazing torch shot through the open doorway, landing a few feet away.
“Ah hell.” Jasper shoved his bindings away, pushing her chair away from the fire. A moment later, he tilted the chair back, trying to drag it out the door. Hearing another loud swishing sound, he froze as another torch passed by them, landing close to the first one. He dragged the chair away from the door, frantically searching for another way out. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
“But someone’s out there.” Suzette felt certain Calvan had thrown the burning orbs into the dilapidated shack. Before she could voice it, bullets hit the few remaining windows, showering them with glass.
Jasper shouted a few more curses, louder this time. The flames had taken hold on the rough-hewn floor, smoke spreading enough to choke them.
Spotting the water bucket, he tore off his shirt, tearing it in two, plunging both inside. Wringing one out, he dashed back to Suzette.
“Lean your head back,” he choked out, placing the wet cloth over her face. Bending, he continued to choke while working on the rope on her wrists, then her ankles. After tugging hard, they gave way at the same time more gunshots sounded. This time, they didn’t hit the cabin.
Unable to draw in a breath, Jasper grabbed the other half of his shirt from the bucket, not sparing the time to wring it out before putting it to his face. His eyes stung from the smoke, his skin searing from the heat. Tossing the shirt onto the flames, he picked up the bucket, pouring what was left onto the fire. Jasper stilled at the sound of Bay’s hard voice.
“Calvan! It’s just you and me. Show yourself.”
Gunshots followed the shouted order. Seconds later, Griff launched himself into the cabin, rolling to the side, aiming his gun out the open doorway. Glancing around, his gaze landed on Suzette.
“Hello, Suz.” Griff’s brief grin disappeared as he choked on the thick smoke. “We have to get you two out of here. Bay’s going to draw Calvan’s fire.”
“But how—”
Before she got the rest out, Griff grabbed her hand, almost dragging her against the wall near the door. “Stay with us, Jasper. Both of you stay low. This is going to happen fast.” Shielding them with his body, Griff inched closer to the door, his gun held in front of him. “Ready?” He didn’t wait for their response before counting to three.
Grip tightening on Suzette’s hand, Griff fired toward the direction where he’d last seen Calvan. Bullets pelted the ground around them as they ran toward where Bay fired from behind a dense stand of brush. They almost made it.
A groan had Suzette glancing behind her. “Jasper,” she cried out, trying to pull Griff to a stop.
“I’ll get him once you’re safe with Bay, Suz.” Dragging her behind him, Griff continued firing, bursting through the brush.
An unwelcome sob escaped her at the sight of Bay, but he didn’t stop firing or acknowledge her in any way. She understood why. All his concentration needed to be on Calvan, keeping him occupied while Griff went back for Jasper.
“Stay down, Suz. You ready for me to get Jasper, Bay?”
Again, Bay didn’t move from his crouched position, refusing to break his focus. “Ready.”
Griff fired first, waiting for Bay to follow before storming from the dense cover toward Jasper. Grabbing his collar, Griff hauled him back to the brush while continuing to fire. A ragged groan came from Jasper. At least he was alive. For now.
A bullet whizzed past Griff’s head, provoking an explosion of expletives. Quickening his pace, he used all his strength to drag him into the cover of the brush. Holstering his weapon, Griff turned his attention to Jasper, seeing the wound on his thigh. Taking out his knife, he ripped the pants open, applying pressure on the injury. Shifting, he noticed Suzette crawl next to them.
Kneeling next to Griff, Suzette didn’t hesitate to lift her skirt, tearing strips of cloth from her chemise. “Jasper, can you hear me?” The words were whispered, meant to be soothing as she began working on his wound. Both she and Griff had noticed it was a graze, although a deep one requiring sutures. She leaned closer to his ear. “Jasper?”
“He’s out cold, sweetheart.” Bay’s voice rolled over her at the same time his hands rested on her shoulders. “Will you be all right tending to him?”
Dread ripped through her. “Why?” She hated that her voice shook.
Bay wanted to wrap his arms around her, kiss her until neither of them could draw a breath. Instead, he dropped his hands from her shoulders.
“Griff and I are going after Calvan. It’s been quiet for close to a minute. Plenty of time for him to ride out.”
Closing her eyes for an instant, she glanced over her shoulder. “Then go. I’ll be fine here with Jasper.”
“Here.” Bay handed her his extra pistol. “Use this if you spot any sign of Calvan.”
Taking it, she swallowed. “All right. But please, be careful.”
Brushing a kiss over her mouth, he moved toward Griff. “I will.”
Bay went left, Griff right as each made their way through the thick stand of trees and low brush. Their paths appeared to be hidden by low, green branches and clusters of large boulders.
Until a shot broke away a slice of rock above Bay’s head. Another one hit close to the same place a moment later.
Shifting so his back was against the rock, he held his gun ready. Most men were better with rifles, using six-shooters when accuracy wasn’t as critical. Bay had always been equally lethal with both.
“You won’t get me, Donahue.”
Bay didn’t respond. He took the brief pause to move around the boulder to come up behind where he expected Calvan to be. Griff would be doing the same from the other direction.
“And you won’t save your woman and Jasper. You may have gotten them out of the burning cabin, but they won’t survive the rest of the day. It’s too bad she left the office with the young man. My problem is with you.”
Bay wanted to yell back, ask Calvan to let them go and deal with him. Yelling would only give away his location and he had to allow Griff time to come up on the other side. Once he gave the signal Calvan was in his sights, Bay would charge from his position.
A scream stalled his breath.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Suzette kept herself busy trying to stop Jasper’s wound from bleeding. She’d used several strips from her chemise already, failing to do much to stem the flow. Applying one more strip, she rested both hands over the wound, pressing with all her strength.
Two shots had her resting back on her heels, fear rushing through her. Focusing on Jasper, she let out a shaky breath, continuing to push on the wound. Another shot stalled her movements for a fraction of a second. Suzette heard Calvan yell but couldn’t make out the words. Bay didn’t respond. When Calvan shouted again, she stiffened, holding her breath. Again, Bay stayed silent. She understo
od why.
“Donahue is a real fool to leave you behind again.”
Suzette screamed, hearing the familiar voice. One of Calvan’s men she recognized from St. Louis stood behind her, the barrel of his gun pushed against her head. Closing her eyes, she didn’t stop pressing on Jasper’s wound, glancing down at the gun in her lap.
Bay had taught her to use it not long after they married, insisting she practice at least once a week. Since moving to Conviction, her work provided little time to practice. Still, she hadn’t forgotten anything he’d taught her.
“You’re coming with me.” The outlaw grabbed her hair, dragging Suzette away from Jasper.
“Let me go!” She reached up, slapping at his arm, but his grip tightened. “Stop!”
“Don’t make me any madder than I am. Calvan’s got your boys pinned down. Soon, they’ll be dead and you’ll be riding off with us.”
Continuing to slap at his arm, she tried to dig her heels into the dirt, without success. The outlaw tugged harder, creating a blinding burn in Suzette’s scalp. She refused to be used as bait to draw Bay or Griff out, knowing if she surrendered, they’d kill her and Jasper. Her death might not come right away, but it would come.
Anger welling inside, Suzette sucked in a deep breath before letting out an ear-piercing scream.
When Bay heard Suzette, he didn’t waste a moment debating whether to stay in place or go to her side. Bending low, he raced away from the cover of the boulders, cringing when bullets pelted the ground around him.
Zigzagging as best as he could, Bay heard another scream, then Suzette shouting at someone. Drawing closer, he crouched down behind a tree, his blood running cold.
One of Calvan’s men held her by the hair, his other hand coming down to land a blow to her face. Blood ran from her nose. Blinding rage tore through Bay. Waiting for Griff would be the smart choice. Instead, he lifted his gun, aiming.
A shot rang out, hitting the outlaw in the center of his forehead. Eyes wide in shock, the man let go of Suzette’s hair as he fell backwards, landing prone on the ground.
She sucked in a relieved breath, not looking at the body or scanning the trees before scrambling back into their cover. Seeing Jasper’s pale face, Suzette ripped another strip from her chemise, resuming her efforts to stop the bleeding. That was when she wondered who’d killed the outlaw.
It had to be Bay or Griff. She guessed it to be her husband, which told her Bay was still alive. She jerked at the renewed gunshots indicating the fight wasn’t over. Suzette had understood Calvan had two men with him, but now realized he’d brought more. They hadn’t been with them on the ride to the cabin, probably staying hidden so those coming after them wouldn’t know how many they’d face.
At Jasper’s low moan, she pressed a hand to his face, the skin cool to her touch. No fever. Yet.
“Jasper, can you hear me?”
Another moan slipped through his lips. “Water…”
Looking around, she hoped to find a canteen Bay or Griff may have left behind. “I’m sorry. There isn’t any.”
Eyes fluttering open, his glazed eyes met hers. “My leg.”
“You were shot when Griff got us out of the cabin.”
His eyes closed again, then opened. “Cabin?”
“Do you remember the fire?”
It took a moment as Jasper tried to recall what had happened. “Calvan.” He bit the name out in disgust.
“Bay and Griff are going after him and his men, then we’ll get you to town and to a doctor.”
Trying to push himself up, he fell back on a flash of pain. “I should be helping them,” he ground out.
“No. You need rest.”
Both flinched at the sound of gunfire closing in on them. Her worried gaze flew to Jasper before she looked behind and around her.
“He’s going into the trees behind the cabin, Griff!” Bay’s shout sounded through the darkening night. Until that moment, Suzette hadn’t noticed the gunfire had stopped. At least momentarily.
“I’ve got him,” Griff yelled back.
Bay didn’t reply, causing Suzette’s heart to seize.
“You’ll pay for killing my brother, Donahue. Nothing you do will save you from my kind of justice.”
Bay had suspected what happened in St. Louis, the arsenic, and kidnapping of Suzette and Jasper had something to do with one of his past jobs. No man would do what Calvan had without good reason, even if it wasn’t justified.
“Who’s your brother?” Bay knew the answer, but needed time for Griff to move behind Calvan.
“I should’ve known a man like you wouldn’t remember all the men you’ve killed. There’s too damn many of them.”
Bay stayed hidden, ignoring the intended insult, his focus fixed on the cabin and Griff’s position. Calvan had brought more men with him than Hunt stated. Bay guessed at least three more, which included the one he’d shot for striking Suzette.
“What’s his name?” Bay glanced around the corner of the cabin, seeing Griff motion to him. The movement let Bay know he had a clear shot at Calvan. Shaking his head, he warned Griff off. If anyone killed the outlaw, it would be him.
The sound of approaching horses drew Bay’s attention. Riders coming up behind him. He prayed it was the MacLarens and August, not more of the outlaws.
Moving farther into the cover of the trees, he waited, sending a warning look at Suzette, placing a finger over his lips. Nodding, she hovered over Jasper, doing her best to protect him from additional injury. She knew it meant little. Outlaws wouldn’t care if they shot through her and Jasper. Calvan wanted Bay. Her death would mean little. She’d still do everything possible to shield Jasper.
Bay had no time to count the number of riders. He didn’t need to. Relief washed over him at the sight of Brodie, Colin, and the rest of the men. They reined to a stop well before the burning cabin. The flames were almost out, but smoke continued to swirl upward. The fireplace and stove were still visible, although charred from the fire.
“Calvan’s riding off, Bay!” Griff ran around to the front of what was left of the cabin. “He ran when he heard the horses coming this way.”
Bay came out from his hiding place, waving off the group of riders as he hurried toward Griff. “Anyone with him?”
“Not that I could see.” Griff nodded at Brodie, Colt, and Colin, who’d slipped from their horses to join them.
“We shot two of Calvan’s lads.” Brodie took an appraising look around, glancing at the dead outlaw on the ground.
“Calvan’s alone. Rode out a couple minutes ago. We need to go after him.” Bay holstered his gun, nodding toward the bushes. “Suzette is over there with Jasper. He was shot attempting to get out of the burning cabin. I’ll need you to stay with them.”
The sheriff motioned for Quinn. When he joined them, Brodie explained, pointing to the bushes to see Suzette peeking out. “We’ll be needing lads to stay with them.”
Quinn shifted, studying the men still on their horses. “August and Bram. The rest of us can go after Calvan.”
“No.” All eyes locked on Bay. “Griff and I will go.”
Brodie shook his head. “Nae, lad. You’ll not be going just the two of you.” He looked at Colt. “You, Seth, and I will be going.”
“We don’t need five men, Brodie,” Bay protested.
“Neither of you are lawmen. I’ll not be letting you go without us.”
Quinn looked at his cousin. “We should be going with you lads.”
Shaking his head again, Brodie didn’t change his mind. “Nae. You’ll protect the others in case more of Calvan’s men are around.”
Quinn didn’t like it, but nodded in agreement. “I’ll let the other lads know.”
“Suzette needs water and whiskey to clean Jasper’s wound,” Bay said.
“Aye. I’ll make certain she gets them.” Quinn walked off, going straight to Suzette and Jasper. Bay was right behind him.
Ducking under the branches, his chest squeezed whe
n his gaze landed on her. Face smudged with soot and dirt, blood-soaked strips of her chemise lying on the ground around her, many men wouldn’t find her attractive. To Bay, Suzette was the most beautiful woman in the world. And she was his.
Kneeling beside her, he brushed a kiss across her lips. “We’re going after Calvan.” The words were just out of his mouth when gunfire erupted from behind the cabin. “Stay here.” Rushing out, Quinn beside him, they drew their guns, seeing Griff and Brodie ride out.
“Who fired the shots?” Quinn asked Colt when he reined up beside him.
“Calvan. He must’ve returned, hoping to get a shot off at Bay.” Colt didn’t explain further before kicking his horse to follow, Seth right behind him.
Cursing, Bay whistled for Spartacus, swinging into the saddle the instant his stallion stopped. Not looking back, he pressed the heels of his boots into the horse’s sides. Gunshots rang out ahead of him. He swore fluently, realizing he might not be the one to bring down Calvan.
A few minutes passed before he caught up with Colt. Griff and Brodie were somewhere ahead of them, out of sight. Renewed gunfire had him kicking Spartacus again, his desire not to miss the kill spurring him on.
The sound of gunfire continued, then stopped. An eerie silence blanketed the air around Bay and Colt, the tension increasing. Slowing, both looked around, deciding which way to ride. They didn’t have to wait long.
Griff and Brodie rode toward them, a body slung over the saddle of the horse behind them. A rush of curses spewed from Bay when he realized the body was Calvan’s. Griff reined to within inches of him.
“Before you shoot me, Calvan had me in his sights. He didn’t expect me to react as fast as I did.” Griff leaned closer, not wanting Brodie or Colt to hear. “Besides, you’ve got enough kills on your conscience. Let this one rest in mine.”
Bay had interrupted Doc Tilden’s sleep to tend August’s and Jasper’s gunshot wounds before checking on Suzette. He’d paced the entire time.
Bay's Desire Page 19
