Page 165 of Westin

Handcuffs. A crop. A gag. A plug. Rope. Vibrators. A few things I don’t recognize.

I lay them all out. Tonight, I think I’ll let him do whatever he wants to me.

I go to shut the cabinet, and the door catches. A roll of cloth is jamming the hinges. I tug it, and something heavy falls in my hands. Jensen’s gun. Westin must have taken it from Thomas Garrison’s house when he retrieved Billie.

My heart is tender. In my wedding dress, I sink down on the end of the bed and turn the gun over in my hands.

For weeks, this was the only defense I had. Then Westin came, and I haven’t thought about it once.

Eyes stinging, I lift my head just as hoofbeats thunder by the barn, echoing off the mountains. The men have returned, tearing up over the hill on horseback, hollering, hooves clattering over the gravel, high off the euphoria of what they did in the mountains.

God, I hope I never have to hear the details.

I rise, the gun in my hand, and grip the hem of my skirt so I can hurry down the stairs and out the front door. My bare feet pound up the walkway and over the dusty path through the gravel.

Their horses are towering shadows in the moonlight. Sovereign swings off just as Westin comes around the corner. He’s on Jensen’s horse, flecked with sweat. There’s a rifle strapped to his back. Jensen is at his heels on Rocky, and they’re kicking up rocks and dust as they peel around the corner. Deacon pulls up beside Sovereign and slides to his feet.

“I need a fucking drink,” he says. “I’m going back to the tent. Jensen, you coming?”

“I’m going,” Jensen drawls, dismounting.

“Jensen!” I blurt out.

My voice cracks, but it’s loud enough everyone stops. Westin takes his hat off, and sweat glitters on his face in the moonlight. Nobody moves. I feel Sovereign’s eyes on us both, waiting to see what happens.

“Jensen, can I talk to you?” I manage.

He glances at Westin, who jerks his head. I turn and lead the way to the barn door where we can’t be overheard. He wipes the sweat off his face and takes his hat off.

“Don’t be upset with Westin,” he says in a rush. “He’s just taking care of you.”

I shake my head. “I’m not upset.”

“Then what?”

I pull the gun from my skirt. His brows rise, and he reaches out to take it.

“Thank you,” I say, voice cracking. “This kept me safe when I had no one to care for me.”

He sniffs and pretends he didn’t as he pushes the pistol under his belt.

“I reckon you don’t need that anymore, Mrs. Quinn,” he says.

I smile, tears slipping down my face. “I reckon I don’t.”

He clears his throat. “Thanks for giving it back. It’s the only thing I brought from Kentucky, other than my horse.”

My heart is full, despite everything. Briefly, I hug him, and he pulls back in surprise before he lets me. I let go quickly because he needs a shower. I tell him that, and he starts laughing, shaking his head as we head back to the others.

My throat has a lump in it.

I think I’m moving on. I think I’m living.

Everyone goes quiet, and the atmosphere goes from adrenaline drenched to hesitant when I return. Sovereign has Rocky and Shadow by the reins. Jensen swings up on his horse and rides off with Deacon. In the distance, I hear laughter and music from the tent.

“Did Keira go to the ranch house?” Sovereign asks.

I nod, wordless, my eyes locked with Westin’s. Distantly, I hear Sovereign say he’ll put both horses away. Then, I’m alone with my husband.

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