AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why don’t you have a seat, Harding? Are you going to give me anymore trouble? I know you think you’re protecting Sally, and I can appreciate that. I won’t cuff you…unless you make it necessary.”
It was all over before Sally started breathing again. Luke’s gaze pierced her as he raised his hands and moved toward the couch, with Greg prodding him in the back with his gun.
Regret formed a lump in her throat. Why hadn’t she listened?
Greg faced her. “Let’s go, Sally. Where’s the kid?” His gaze traveled the length of her. “You might want to put some clothes on.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Greg.”
He dipped his head, and an impatient sigh issued forth. “We’ve got a long trip ahead of us, Sally, and you can argue the whole time if that makes you happy, but youarecoming with me…with or without the kid.”
Sally gasped. “You can’t do that!” Fear constricted her throat. What if he did it anyway? She couldn’t let that happen.
“That part’s entirely up to you, but don’t test me. I don’t think you really want to leave Clive’s grandchild behind, do you?” With his free hand, he motioned toward the bedroom.
“Grandchild?” Luke stared at her.
“She didn’t tell you?” Greg laughed. “Yeah, it’s her old man she’s been hiding from all these years.”
Oh God.It’d taken Greg only five seconds to out her in front of Luke. Five seconds she’d never live down. Shame and humiliation swamped her. The shock and revulsion in Luke’s expression as he turned his face away left her empty and aching. “I’m sorry, Luke.” The words were barely a whisper, and he gave no indication he’d heard them.
“Do as he says, Sally. Get dressed and go get Jen.” Luke’s gaze locked on the marshal. The bitterness in his voice cut her to the bone. “Tell Daniel and Ellen you couldn’t sleep without her—anything to get her out of there without bloodshed.” His gaze dropped to the gun in Greg’s hand.
Sally stared at Luke until he looked toward her. She wanted him to know she was sorry…for everything. His dark scowl and the muscle that worked in his jaw wasn’t conducive to explanation. Would he ever forgive her for betraying him?
Her heart beat wildly and weakness spread quickly through her limbs. Light-headed, Sally labored for her next breath, each inhale becoming harder and shallower than the last. The all-out panic attack had come from nowhere. The more she tried to calm herself, the less oxygen reached her lungs. Feeling faint, she looked around blindly for a place to sit before she made a complete fool of herself by passing out. Regulating her breathing was key to retaining consciousness—and now wasn’t the time to keel over. Managing only short gulps of air, she fumbled her way past a bookshelf to a straight-backed chair along the wall.
A quick glance at Greg’s worried countenance told her he’d noticed her distress…and that was when the idea came full-blown. She sagged in the chair, emphasizing the wheeze that was already present with each inhale. From beneath lowered lashes, she saw Luke sit forward, uneasiness furrowing his brow. Greg paid no attention to Luke; concern for his witness displayed on his face.
“Stay put.” He tossed the warning to Luke. Greg holstered his weapon and stepped toward her. “What do you need? Got any paper bags around here?” He gently rubbed her back as he leaned closer.
“I don’t…know. Maybe…some water?”
His gaze swept the cabin’s interior, zeroed in on the sink and started that way. Sally rose silently to her feet as soon as his back was turned. A foot-tall sculpture of a bear on the bookshelf beside her caught her attention. Without daring to glance at Luke, she clutched the metal statue in both hands. Greg was filling a cup with water when Sally swung. At the last instant, she flinched and swung short, hitting him a glancing blow from the back of his head to his left shoulder.
He grunted and sagged over the sink, spilling the water down his front, and his free hand flew to the back of his head. As she recoiled in horror, Luke was beside her almost instantly, taking the marshal’s gun and retrieving his own. Then he jerked the man up by his jacket and forced him down on the couch.
Greg swore under his breath as he held his head in his hands. “This is going to go badly for both of you.” A groan punctuated his statement.
“You’re probably right…unless we can come to some kind of understanding.” Luke stood on the other side of the coffee table.
Suddenly, the door burst open and three huge, camo-covered men stormed the room, weapons drawn.
Sally started, still trembling from the idea of caving in someone’s head with a piece of art, but neither Luke nor Greg flinched.
“What the hell, man? Are we late? Looks like you’ve got it under control.” Travis lowered his weapon, looking strangely disappointed.
A smirk appeared on Luke’s otherwise stony face. “Sally took matters into her own hands.”
The men chuckled, but Luke didn’t join them.
“I knew there was more to the little woman than met the eye.” Travis ran an appreciative gaze over her.
“Sally, you might want to get dressed now.” Luke gave her a cursory glance, as though he was embarrassed by her.
Wasn’t that just the whipped cream on top of their reunion sundae? Heat flooded her cheeks as she dropped her gaze, unwilling to meet the uncomfortable glances of Luke’s friends. Had she just made the biggest mistake of her life by angering Greg? Too late. The marshal didn’t look like he was in to second chances at the moment. First order of business: get dressed. Second: find Jen. Then decide on the third thing.
“Would you boys mind staying with Sally for a bit? Marshal Lambert and I need to have a conversation.” Luke glanced at each of them in turn.
