Marshal Law (3 page)

Ethan tsked, glancing at the doorway then back at her.
“
Pretty damn sure you could have handled that better, unless your plan for escaping us is getting yourself killed.
”

She shrugged off his hold, gaining her feet as she took a step back.
“
I bought you ten minutes. That
’
s better than the alternative.
”

He raised a brow.
“
Us?
”

“
Afraid you boys are in just as much peril as I am. Unless you think going out there and showin
’
off those shiny stars of yours will have them all swoonin
’
at your feet.
”
She removed her hat, brushing the back of her arm across her forehead.
“
You heard what Bret said…you take one step outside that door, and it
’
ll be your last.
”

Ethan
’
s jaw tightened, one eye narrowing slightly.
“
Wouldn
’
t that be in your best interest?
”

“
I don
’
t have any quarrel with you. Bret and Frank are my mission. No sense for a couple of lawmen to die on my account. But it does mean one thing
…”

“
What
’
s that?
”

“
You
’
re going to have to trust me.
”

Chapter Two

Ethan McClaren stared down at the woman standing only a few feet away and felt another tingling of awareness skitter along his skin. Like a thousand pinpoints of fire burning just below the surface. He
’
d had the same reaction when their gazes had met earlier, only this time the feeling made him antsy. Restless. As if the air was suddenly charged. And damned if he knew what to make of it.

His inner wolf scratched at him, the beast pacing back and forth as it fought against his hold. Shit, he
’
d conquered his damn wild side shortly after it
’
d made its presence known, and he hadn
’
t looked back since. But his other half had never tried to force its way out like this
—
not since he
’
d become one with the animal a decade ago. He gave it a bit of control as the creature inhaled, allowing her scent to surround him
—
feminine and warm with a hint of sulfur, the unusual aroma settled uncomfortably in his groin, making his pants feel strangely tight. He glanced at Jude, noting the similar expression on his partner
’
s face before focusing back on McKenna.

She wasn
’
t what he
’
d expected. Small, with blonde wispy strands framing her face, she had the kind of beauty that stopped men in their tracks. Only she hid hers beneath clothes and smudges of dirt, a healthy facade of confidence. She carried herself well, though he
’
d noticed a hint of the girl bleed through when Bret had tried to touch her. Hell, she
’
d shied away from any form of contact, and Ethan couldn
’
t help but wonder what made her wary, even of them. Though the snippets of conversations he’d heard had made his skin crawl.

“
Marshal. You okay?
”

Her voice drew him from his thoughts, his gaze traveling to the door. Bret and Frank Wilson. How bloody ironic. Here they were attempting to take her into custody when men like the Wilson brothers just walked into the saloon as if they owned it. Hell, they probably did. He looked back at her, noting the deep blue of her eyes and the way the bridge of her nose crinkled when she stared at him, her expression suggesting she thought he
’
d lost his mind.

He nodded.
“
It
’
s Ethan and I
’
m fine. Except for the part where we
’
re supposed to trust you.
”

She scowled at him, muttering something about names again before firming her stance.
“
Believe me. The notion doesn
’
t sit well with me, either, but
…”
She exhaled a harsh breath.
“
I
’
d rather not have your deaths on my conscience.
”

“
An odd sentiment coming from a gunslinger.”

“I’m not that kind of gunslinger.”

“Doesn’t matter. None of us are going to die. Not here. We didn
’
t come all this way to let Bret and Frank Wilson intimidate us. In fact, it
’
s high time we brought those boys in.
”

“
So you
’
re going to take on their gang? Just the two of you? Or do you have another dozen men waitin
’
outside?
”

“
Sorry. Just us, sweetheart.
”

That furrow deepened at his words, a delightful blush staining her cheeks before she pursed her lips.
“
Figured as much.
”
She kicked at the floor, glancing around the room.
“
If I don
’
t go out there, you know those two boys will come crashin
’
back in here
—
guns blazin
’
. And more than a few of these good folks will die.
”

“
You walk out there, and they
’
ll kill you. You know that.
”

She smirked.
“
I just challenged them to a gunfight. It
’
s generally implied that someone
’
s going to die.
”

“
Still, these gentlemen don
’
t play fair. You don
’
t stand a chance alone.
”

“
I know exactly what those two cowards are capable of. This isn’t my first run-in with them. But it doesn
’
t change the fact that they won
’
t wait more than several more minutes before those tiny brains of theirs stop workin
’
and they just go off
…
unless I step out that door. Once I
’
m on that stoop, you two might be able to use a window while they
’
re focused on me—bring those you can to justice without puttin’ your lives at risk.
”

“
So you
’
re just going to sacrifice yourself? To save two men you don
’
t even know?
”

“
Two marshals. And I
’
ll be sure to take at least one of those boys with me. That makes it worthwhile.
”

Jude moved closer, the look on his face saying everything.
“
So that
’
s your plan? Mosey out there, kill one of the brothers and die?
”

“
Sounds about right. Though it
’
d be real nice if you two could promise me whoever
’
s left standin
’
doesn
’
t stay that way for long.
”

Jude snorted as he stared at her, bewilderment etched on his face.
“
Just
…
wait. Can we go back to the part where you
’
re okay with dying?
”

Her mouth tightened at the edges, a strange emotion shaping her eyes.
“
As I see it, I
’
ve been livin
’
on borrowed time for years. Reckoned it
’
d catch up with me sooner or later. And if you
’
ll promise me Bret and Frank will pay for all they
’
ve done should I miss, then I guess it
’
s about time to face it.
”

She moved to her left, trying to dart past them when Ethan snagged her arm, refusing to let go when she tried to shrug him off. Her head snapped around, anger burning in those blue eyes of hers. She moved closer to him, looking as if she was planning on punching him in the jaw when Jude crowded her from behind, trapping her between them. Her bravado vanished, a flash of panic coloring her features.

Jude palmed her waist, leaning over her shoulder.
“
We
’
re not about to stand here and watch you die because you have some vendetta against those boys.
”
He shushed her.
“
Whether it
’
s justified or not.
”

She seemed to force herself to swallow, her full lips pressing together before she dampened her lower one with a slow swipe of her tongue.
“
And what, exactly, did you think would happen to me once we got back to Durango or Denver or wherever it is you boys are from?
”

Jude huffed, glancing up at him before looking away.

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
“
If it
’
s all the same to you, gentlemen, I
’
d rather go down shootin
’
than swingin
’
.
”

Ethan clenched his jaw, lifting his other hand to cup her chin before turning her to face him.
“
There
’
s no guarantee the judge won
’
t see your killings as justified. Especially in light of what
’
s happenin’ here.
”

She chuckled, the hollow sound hitting him like a fist to his gut.
“
I appreciate the positive attitude, Mar
—”

“
Ethan. My name is Ethan. And his is Jude. Not sure why that
’
s so hard for you.
”

“
I know your names. I
’
m simply choosin
’
not to use them.
”

“
Why?
”

“
I have my reasons.
”
She palmed his chest, giving him a shove.
“
We
’
ve got about five minutes left. So unless you
’
re going to shoot me where I stand then I suggest you let me go.
”

“
Not lettin
’
you walk out there alone.
”

“
You two come with me and they
’
ll be burying all three of us.
”

“
Not if we win.
”

Her laugh was genuine this time.
“
There
’
s upwards of nine men out there. That
’
s at least three targets each. I
’
m fast, but I
’
m not sure I
’
m
that
fast.
”

“
Jude and I can handle the men. You just focus on not getting shot.
”

She shook her head, glancing at the ceiling as if searching for patience.
“
I reckon I haven
’
t met such damn fool souls in a long time. Fine. You want to help me? Make your way around to their flanks. Take out those men with the rifles. I
’
ll hold my own with the others. But I
’
m the only one walkin
’
out through that door.
”

Jude swore under his breath.
“
This is a terrible idea.
”

“
It
’
s the only one that might end with all three of us still breathin
’
.
”

“
Fine. You just make sure you stall them as long as possible, you hear me?
”

“
Your mouth is next to my ear. Impossible not to hear you.
”
She moved out of their embrace as soon as their hands released her, taking a few quick steps sideways. She stared at them for a couple of agonizing heartbeats, rubbing her hands where Jude had rested his, before turning, glancing at them over her shoulder.
“
Regardless of how this ends, it doesn
’
t change anything between us. And if we actually live through it, I
’
ll take any and every opportunity to escape you boys, short of killing you outright.
”

Jude
’
s lips lifted into a feral grin.
“
Then let the hunt begin.
”

She studied him, a sad smile gracing her pretty mouth before she continued toward the door, boots clicking—every gaze following her progression.

Jude cursed again, pushing a hand through his messy hair.
“
This is wrong.
”

Ethan stepped in beside him.
“
You feel it, too? And I mean more than in an official capacity. Because she was right. She
’
d probably hang for her crimes. We knew that comin’ here.
”

Jude growled, the low sound a definite warning.
“
Not going to happen.
”

Ethan looked at his friend, noting the way his hands were fisted at his side, his lips starting to puff forward as a hint of white peeked from beneath the skin.
“
Pull back, buddy. We
’
re in the middle of a tavern. Can
’
t have you sprouting fur and a damn tail in here.
”

“
Then explain to me why the thought of her facin’ those men
—
hell, of taking her anywhere she might be threatened
—
makes me want to howl? Makes me feel as if my skin doesn
’
t fit?
”

“
No damn idea, but I feel the same. Did you catch her scent?
”