Page 52 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

Autumn and Walker rushed across the space. Walker started checking the downed men. Autumn came straight for him.

Clint pointed the gun at Benjamin’s head and said, “Face down on the ground.”

Jarom had no problem ‘assisting’ the man to the ground. Benjamin yelped. Jarom released his arm and stepped back. Autumn held her gun pointed at Benjamin and told Clint, “I’ve got him.”

“Thanks.” Clint holstered his gun and bent to cuff his hands behind his back. He recited his rights in a voice faster than an auctioneer and then stood and nodded to Autumn. “Good work. You killed all but the last two.” He tilted his head to all the downed men.

“Not the most important one.” She pointed her gun at Benjamin Oliver. “We need to finish this. Jarom, turn your back.”

Jarom’s eyes widened. Autumn had been the one in the trees and killed the four guards. Now she was going to kill Benjamin. He knew Benjamin deserved death after his many murders, but would Autumn shoot a defenseless man?

“Let him live a long, miserable life in the worst prison imaginable,” Clint said evenly.

Autumn looked from Benjamin to Clint. The seconds ticked by. Her jaw worked, but then she slid her gun into her pocket.

Jarom let out the breath he’d been holding.

Clint nodded. “It’s rough, but we can’t stoop to his level.”

Autumn only raised her eyebrows at that. “I only killed three of them. Walker came for the second round.” She nodded to Walker, who was approaching them. She was more serious than he’d ever seen her. Of course she was. Easton was dead.

Jarom wanted to gather her in his arms, but this didn’t seem to be that moment.

She looked to his arm that had blood trailing down it.

“Just a flesh wound,” he quipped.

She didn’t even smile.

“Easton?” Clint asked his brother. “Chad said the video showed him …” He stopped as if unable to say it.

Walker’s face pinched. “He’s unconscious, burned, but his pulse and heartbeat are strong.”

“He’s not …” The mighty sheriff leaned into the nearby vehicle. “Oh, thank the good Lord above. When Chad called …”

Easton wasn’t dead. Jarom did thank his Father above.

Red and blue lights approached, sirens announcing the officials’ arrival. It was over. Benjamin would be apprehended and Easton taken to a hospital.

Jarom focused on Autumn. Was their time together over? Would she stay by his side if he begged?

She glanced at him. Her golden eyes were dark, a shutter over them. What was she thinking and feeling?

If their time was over, how would he survive?

Chapter

Twenty-Two

They were takento Clint’s police station to meet with the FBI. Autumn got through all the questioning from the authorities, keeping one eye on Jarom, wondering what he was thinking and feeling. Tonight had to have been horrific for him, but his natural bravery shone through, and he was focused outward.

It was over. Benjamin Oliver was finally arrested and the FBI swore they’d keep him in the highest maximum security prison available. She would’ve preferred to put a bullet in his head, but now that she wasn’t in warrior mode, she was grateful Clint had stopped her. The man’s reign of horror was finally finished. Elizabeth and Jacey Oliver, their brother Quaid Raven, and all their spouses could come out of hiding.

Easton had been life flighted to the hospital in Missoula. He was in a coma. The reports were a head injury and some burns on his face and arms, but he would live and his brain activity looked good. That was a relief.

It should be a day of celebration. She, Walker, and Clint had protected Jarom and taken down Benjamin Oliver. Why did she feel so heavy? She’d be leaving Jarom soon and she had no idea how to deal with that. Was he shocked that she’d killed three men and almost shot Benjamin when he was defenseless? He hadn’t said anything.

Mama and Papa had raced after the life flight with Walker and Marci driving them. Mama had grabbed Autumn in a fierce hug before she left and told her, “I was wrong about you. You are as angelic as your beautiful face. Be good to Jarom and turn to Jesus.”

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