Page 69 of The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Josey did as he asked and stepped to the side, wringing her hands nervously as she watched, wishing she could do more. Josey was so engrossed in watching the men rescue Daxton that she didn’t hear anyone come up behind her.

Josey gasped as strong arms grabbed her from behind, fiercely grabbing her around the waist and pulling her head back in one fluid motion. The stench of strong male body order, combined with tobacco and alcohol, wafted toward her.

“Don’t breathe a word... or you’re dead.” There was no mistaking it: The voice belonged to Austin Slater.

“I’m already dead,” Josey calmly replied as her heart sank. With Daxton’s reaction when he found her, him kissing her cheeks, her face, she thought that maybe everything couldactually work out. But not anymore. Not now. Austin had found her. She just hoped that Daxton wouldn't be killed in the crossfire.

Austin laughed without humor. “True, but I’m in the mood to have a little fun first.”

Even though Austin was quiet, Harrison must have heard the exchange and immediately drew his weapon, along with Wyatt, quicker than she would have thought possible.

Colton narrowed his eyes, holding the rope tightly. Josey was thankful that he hadn’t let it go.

Suddenly, Josey felt the unmistakable hard, cold steel of a gun barrel against her temple.

“Pull him up,” Austin instructed, tightening his grip around her. “But one word and she dies.”

Colton nodded once and then continued to pull Daxton up.

“Lower your weapons, gentlemen.” Austin’s grip tightened around her, preventing her escape.

One corner of Wyatt’s lips curled into a smile. “Not on your life.”

Austin chuckled. “Not onmylife... but maybe on hers.” Then his voice turned harsh, nearly a growl. “Pull him up and we’ll settle this like men!”

Josey’s back straightened as adrenaline coursed through her veins. “You’re not a man. You nor Logan.”

“Shut up!” Austin’s grip was so tight around her that pain shot through her body. “How dare you speak his name... after you killed him.”

“It was in self-defense. He was coming after me—”

Austin jerked her hard against his chest. “Shut up!”

Just then, Colton reached down and helped Daxton up. When he turned around, both he and Colton drew their weapons.

“Let her go,” Daxton ordered, his eyes filled with fury.

“Nuh uh. Not so fast.” Austin’s voice was calmer than she would have thought it would be when he found her. Then he started backing away, dragging her with him. “None of you have to die. Now that I have her, I’ll be on my way. But don’t try to stop us.”

“Daxton, he’s not alone! He never is!” Josey couldn’t look behind her to see where his men were. But make no mistake. They were there.

Austin jerked her back roughly, nearly breaking her neck. “Shut up!”

Daxton’s gun clicked as he pulled back the hammer. “If you think we’ll let you leave with her, then you’re sadly mistaken, mister. Let her go.”

“Nope!” Austin kept pulling her backward, keeping her in front of him.

“Only a coward would use a woman as a shield,” Josey said calmly. She was dead now anyway. What did it matter?

“I said, shut up!”

Obviously, she had hit a nerve.

“You know, she’s right.” Daxton took a step closer, holding his gun in front of him. “Youarea coward.”

Austin stopped. “Sheriff, you’d better watch who you’re talking to!” He pulled Josey up in front of him tighter. “She was the one who shot my brother in cold blood! She’s the coward!”

Daxton laughed without humor, a crazed look in his eyes. “In my book, that makes her the bravest person I know. After all, only a coward would beat a woman.”

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