AllFreeNovel
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The underbrush is too thick at the edge of the pines. I need to get to them or he’s going to take us out easily. If it were just me, I would have called on him to come out and fight fair. But I have Keira and the soft press of her body reminds me I have something to live for now.
My heart slows. I feel the bitter wind on my face.
There’s a rustle from deep within the pines and it hits me that he can’t get a clear shot. My senses sharpen and I pivot Shadow hard and urge him up the bank to the opposite pine grove. We’re almost there when a huge crash turns our attention to the other side of the river.
Thomas erupts from the woods on his horse. He darts through the river so quickly I only have time to spin Shadow to make a shield of my body so Keira is safe.
His revolver glints. I see the faint puff of smoke. The sound cracks like a whip and a flurry of birds surge from the trees and take to the sky.
My body jolts. There’s no pain, just spreading warmth in the side of my head. Something sticky seeps down the side of my neck.
Smells like blood.
Shadow spirals hard, spooked by the sound. The world spins in a circle and the ground rises up to hit my body hard. Forcing all the breath from my lungs.
I’m on my back on the rocky ground.
Up above, I see her take the reins. She’s wearing one of my black cowboy hats and her brilliant hair whips around her face. Fear grips me and I try to force myself up, but my body won’t respond.
My head lolls to the side. Thomas is riding hard at her, revolver up.
Her hand moves faster than I can follow. She flips the holster at her thigh, raises a black pistol, and unloads it. Jaw set and eyes narrowed.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Fuck me, I didn’t know my redbird could shoot like that.
For a second, I think she missed. But then a riderless horse surges past me and skids to a halt by the edge of the pines. It stands there, eyes wide and ribs heaving. Foam flecking down its neck.
My body tingles as I force myself up onto my elbows. The side of my head feels raw, like it got skinned, but I can’t feel any pain.
I’m bleeding, I can tell because my shirt collar is soaked and rapidly freezing to my neck.
Over the brush, I can make out a dark pile of limbs on the ground.
My body gives out and I sink back against the dirt.
It’s done. It’s over.
A weight lifts from my chest for the first time since I was a child. They're gone, all of them. Keira is safe and my heart is free to love her without this dark weight on it.
No one ever has to put up with their abuse again.
No Garrison will ever rape, murder, or prey on anyone ever again.
The sky is gray overhead. Thick clouds crowd each other and snow begins to fall harder. The flakes are thick and they melt on my skin.
My revenge cost me everything. I’ll never be the man I could have been.
The sky fills with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I must be high from blood loss because it takes me a moment to realize who she is. A pale freckled face, frightened eyes, and a river of crimson hair. It falls over my face and kisses my mouth.
No, it didn’t cost me everything.
I can live without a heart or soul because I have her, and she’s got enough for us both.
