Page 83 of A Steadfast Heart
The blood froze in Drew’s veins, but his body didn’t wait for instructions. He threw his shoulder into the smaller man’s stomach and wrapped both hands around the gun. He should have drawn while he’d had the chance.
Sounds came from behind him. The scuffle of boots gaining a foothold. Kaitlyn was standing. “Down, Katie. Get down!”
“Michael, stop! It’s over.” Kaitlyn’s voice echoed through the alley.
Footsteps pounded away down Main Street’s boardwalk. Going to get the sheriff? He could only hope. Nick might still be there too. The more reinforcements, the better.
Michael tried to pull his gun free. “It’s not over until I say it is. You’ve ruined everything.” He brought his other hand up toward Drew’s face. Drew dodged his attempt to gouge his eye but didn’t manage to avoid the fingernails on his cheek.
Michael slipped his gun hand free and fired. The shot went wide.
Drew charged Michael and wrapped him in a bear hug. “Run, Kaitlyn! Find Ed and Nick!”
“She ain’t going nowhere.” Michael lifted the gun and brought the butt down onto Drew’s head.
Stars exploded behind his eyes. No! He couldn’t pass out. He tightened his grip. He couldn’t let go.
God, help me!
His fist crashed into Michael’s gut, then his face. Somehow, he didn’t feel the impact. He punched again. And again.
This beast had hurt Kaitlyn.Crash.
Bruised her.Crash.
Frightened her.Crash.
Now his knuckles stung, but he ignored them.
Michael dropped the gun. Drew grabbed it and aimed it at Michael. “This ends. Now.”
Michael froze. A door opened, letting light into the alley. Drew met Michael’s gaze. A predator’s gaze, but worse. Evil lurked in those eyes.
Kaitlyn stepped up beside Drew. Her lavender scent untied the knots in his gut. She was safe. Alive. He spared her a quick glance. The bruise on her cheek sent fury racing through him. His finger moved to the trigger. “Maybe I’ll just shoot him.”
Kaitlyn laid a cool hand on his arm. “Drew, no. Think about the kids.”
He pulled in a shuddering breath. Another. She was right. He wasn’t a murderer. And he wasn’t going to let Michael turn him into one. “Your sister is more merciful than I am.” He drew in another steadying breath. “It’s time to let this go. Kaitlyn is my wife. All we want is a peaceful life.”
“What about what I want?” Michael shouted. “Kaitlyn is set to marry my friend.”
“It’s too late for that. She’s already married to me.”
Nick entered the alley and stopped in the splash of light from the open shop door. “Drew? Kaitlyn? Are you okay? We heard a shot.”
Drew glanced toward his brother. Michael lunged forward, knocking the gun aside. He raced toward the back of the alley, heading toward Solomon, Nick and Ed on his heels.
It seemed to happen in slow motion. Michael put his foot in the stirrup. When he stepped up, attempting to get into the saddle, Solomon danced sideways. The movement jostled Michael, who tried to hang on to the saddle. Solomon kicked his hind feet in the air, sending Michael flying.
There was an audible thud when he landed.
Ed got to him first, knelt to check for a pulse. Then he stood and stopped Nick from checking, shaking his head.
Drew swallowed hard, then turned Kaitlyn into his chest. If his brothers had left Michael, the man no longer had to worry about facing a jury of his peers. Instead, he stood before the ultimate judge.
Kaitlyn shuddered in his arms.
A deputy rode up beside Solomon, dismounted, and examined Michael’s body. Then he led his horse through the alley and stopped next to Nick and Ed. Their words didn’t reach Drew, and he didn’t care. His world was in his arms.
