Page 57 of The Truth

Just as two men barged in. Men he had seen before. Adam Davidson and that man who was with him frequently. Jeremiah Holmes, who owned a small ranch on the outskirts of Value.

He was just about to step outside when he heard shouting. From outside.

Ayla.

Anger at this man was so strong in Gunn in that moment, it took every bit of restraint he had not to explode. He would never forget the bruises Dinah had shown them. They were going to take the backpack and meet Leina Chalmers at the sheriff’s office in two hours. Dinah had agreed to meet them then, to tell Leina and the sheriff everything she knew. "Davidson. What are you doing here?"

Dinah had said clearly that her father should be halfway through Oklahoma by now.

"Cleaning up a few loose ends." He raised the pistol in his hand and fired.

Toward Emerson, who was still partially facing away from the door. Gunn lunged, knocking his friend out of the way. Fire slammed into his shoulder. And brought him to his knees.

As someone screamed from outside.

Ayla.

Gunn had to get to her.

Adam glanced toward the window. “Bitch just won’t drown, will she?”

Gunn exploded upward, driving his shoulder into Davidson’s midsection. The impact knocked the breath from his lungs, but momentum carried them backward. They crashed into the wall, the pistol discharging into the ceiling.

Gunn punched him as hard as he could. Gunn was bigger, stronger, younger, and fighting for people he loved. He would never go down without fighting. Not when it came to protecting those heloved.

Adam Davidson was stronger than he looked. His fist connected with Gunn's jaw, snapping his head back. He tasted blood.

But he had fought before. Gunn hadbrothers.Brothers fought.

He would fight until his last breath to protect that woman out there and his best friend scrambling with the other man at his side.

Gunn drove his knee upward, catching Adam in the stomach.

The other man swung out, his fist connecting with the wound in Gunn’s shoulder. He slammed Adam against the bookcase, wood splintering as various books and bible study DVDs crashed to the floor.

Emerson slammed the smaller man into the wall, sending the painting of the crosses Giavonna had painted for Gunn several years ago crashing to the floor.

The pistol swung toward Emerson next. Gunn grabbed Adam's wrist, twisting with all his strength.

God… gave him a push. Gunn justfeltit.

Bonesin the man’s arm broke, beneath Gunn’s hands. He didn’t have any regrets.

He pulled back his good arm, and slammed his fist harder into Adam Davidson’s face than he hadeverstruck anyone in his life.

The older man crumbled to the floor.

Gunn slid to the floor next to him, hitting his knees hard. He reached out, took the pistol from the floor.

His arm hung useless at his side, blood dripping onto the floor, but he couldn't feel the pain anymore. Nothing mattered except reaching Ayla. “Ayla… ”

“Go. I’ll secure these guys and be outside as soon as I can. Go.”

Gunn was going to get to her.

No matter what.

He loved that woman. More than he would ever love another. And he was going to find her now.

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