He ignored her statement. “He’ll tell his friends, and you’ll be in as much danger as I am.”
“You know these men?” Sage asked, indicating the three lying on the ground, dead.
Christian scrutinized them. “Not personally. They are…bounty hunters.”
Willow’s gaze dropped to the pouch in Christian’s hand. A bounty? No doubt there was coin in that pouch. “You’ve resorted to stealing?”
Christian hefted the bag and tied it to his belt. “These men have no use for this any longer.”
Stealing. Bounties. She shook her head slightly in disapproval.
“You have a price on your head?” Sage wondered. “For what?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” He looked down at his hand, and his palm was stained red.
“It doesn’t look as if they cared whether you were alive or not.”
Christian grunted softly. “I doubt they did.” His stare shifted from Sage and lingered on Willow. “It’s been good to see you. Watch your backs. They’ll be after you now.” He turned away.
“Wait!” Willow called, panicked. “You’re leaving?”
“Who will be after us?” Sage demanded.
Christian grimaced. He inspected his palm for a long moment as if debating. Finally, he shook his head. “I can’t stay.”
Willow became aware of a stinging in her shoulder but ignored it. She nodded. He was leaving, just like before. “You can’t accept that I saved your life. Easier to run away.”
Christian turned to her, his blue eyes intense and his lips thin.
A tremor raced through Willow’s body, but she lifted her chin and turned back to the inn. She would not let his uncaring attitude bother her. He had left before; he could do it again. She wouldn’t die.
“You’re hurt,” he stated.
She turned to him in disbelief. “I’m not hurt. You think one look from you, and I turn to mush?”
He grinned. “Your arm.”
Her arm? She raised a hand to her right arm. There was a cut in the sleeve of the dress she wore beneath her armor, and her skin was slick beneath.
“You okay, Will?” Sage asked in concern.
“I’m fine,” Willow insisted. But she knew the cut needed to be tended. It was her sword arm.
Sage shook her head. “I told you we shouldn’t have gotten involved. Father will be angry.”
Aye. But not just angry. Furious. Furious she had interfered in something that was not her business. It seemed Father was always angry with her about that. Willow couldn’t help her desire to aid those in trouble. She grabbed Sage’s arm. “Don’t tell him. I’ll have it wrapped before he even knows.”
“He’s not going to like this.”
“He won’t know,” she insisted and glanced at Christian. “I’ll help Christian with his wound, bind mine, and I’ll be back at the inn before he even notices.”
That amused expression entered Sage’s brown eyes again as she peered at Christian. She relented with a sigh. “Before midnight.”
Willow nodded in agreement.
Sage turned to Christian with a wide grin. “Good to see you. Father will want to greet you.”
Christian took a deep breath. “You’re already involved too much. Send him my regards when I’m gone.”
