Page 79 of A Whiskey River Princess

Dirk kicked in the door and wrapped his arm around his neck. “Breathe wrong and I’ll break it.” He backed out through the door, pulling the man with him—and his back hit something hard. Dirk quickly spun around, dragging his captive with him.

It was Colton.

“Oh. Thank God!”

One corner of Colton’s lips curled into a smile. “No, Colton, but thank you for the compliment.”

Dirk smiled, despite himself. “Can you handle this for me?”

Colton shrugged nonchalantly. “Sure, I’d be glad to.”

“Good.” Dirk smiled as he shoved the man at him.

The man made a move, and Colton pulled his revolver from its holster and pointed it at his nose before he could blink.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Colton pulled back the hammer of his gun and shoved it up his nose. “Go ahead, Dirk. I got this.”

“Not alone, you won’t,” a low voice said behind them.

Dirk turned to see Daxton and smiled. “I’ve never been so glad to see you guys in my life.”

Sheriff Clark’s eyebrows pulled together in concern. “Let’s save the warm greetings for later.”

Dirk walked inside with his gun drawn, cocked and ready, when the cellar door came crashing open. “Hold it right there,” Dirk ordered, pointing his gun at him.

The man smiled, his gold tooth gleaming as he raised his hands. “And what are you going to do about it… if I don’t?”

Another man burst through the cellar door, shoving the first man into Dirk, sending them both to the floor. Then Dirk and Daxton both raised their guns, fired, and shot him point blank in the chest.

“Blake!” the man with the gold tooth shouted.

But it was too late. Blake lay on the floor with his eyes open, coughing up blood.

“Blake!” the man with the gold tooth screamed, running over to him. “What can I do?”

“Kill ’em,” Blake replied as he coughed up more blood. “And kill that little bitch, too.” Then he let out a slow breath, and his eyes became fixed.

“Don’t even think about it,” Daxton warned as he walked slowly over to him. “That is, unless you’d like to join your friend.”

He gritted his teeth as his lips curled back, revealing his gold tooth. “He. Was. My. Brother!” His voice boomed in the kitchen, rattling the windows. “Yah!” In one sweep, he drew his gun, but Daxton shot him right between the eyes. He fell backward, and his eyes glazed over immediately.

Dirk ran into the living room and Gabriella sat in a chair, leaning over.

“Gabby!” Dirk gasped, grabbing her shoulders.

She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “Dirk, are you all right?”

Dirk leaned forward, his heart swelling with pride. “I’m fine. Are you?”

“I’m fine,” she breathed, but then collapsed into his arms, unconscious.

“I’ll get Doc Morgan,” Harrison announced from the back door. A second later, the sound of horse’s hooves beating against the snow rang out, and then grew faint in the distance.

Dirk swept Gabriella into his arms, carried her to the sofa, and then pulled off her coat.

Sheriff Clark looked away. “I think we got them all, but I’ll look around to make sure.”

Dirk nodded without looking up.

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