“We got lucky,” Blade said as they watched Daniel. “Can’t believe we found him already.”
Dakota could feel her anger boiling under the surface, begging to be released. She had never even met the man before, but she hated him.
“So, what now?”
They had spotted Daniel as he arrived for work. They were making their way into town and happened to pass him. It was still early, but the road running past the ranch was quiet. Daniel was busy fixing the fence and was working alone. Other men were working in the fields, but they were far off. Daniel was an easy target.
“I say we just do it right now,” Blade stated, pulling his neckerchief up to cover his face.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Dakota agreed, adjusting her neckerchief too.
“Over there.” Blade pointed to the wire fence that ran the perimeter of the property. “It’s broken. We can just slip through.”
Dakota looked to where he was pointing. There was a gap in the fence big enough for them and the horses, and it wasn’t far from where Daniel was working.
“Are you ready?” Blade asked.
“Yes, let’s do it.”
Dakota squeezed her legs around Riot, urging him to start moving. She could hear Blade and Africa right behind them.
“This one is all yours,” Blade said. “But I’m here if you need me.”
“Thank you,” Dakota replied, knowing that she could count on him. Blade wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
Once they slipped through the fence, Dakota increased Riot’s pace, drew her Colt, and rushed directly at Daniel. With no cover, Daniel noticed them from a distance and pulled his pistol, pointing it at her.
“Shoot it out of his hand!” Dakota yelled, trusting Blade’s aim more than her own.
The words had barely left her mouth before the pistol fell from Daniel’s hand and a loud shot rang through the air. Nobody in the surrounding area would have missed it. They had to hurry now. Daniel turned around and started running, but he was on foot and didn’t get very far before Dakota reached him. Running past him, Dakota kicked out her leg, the heel of her boot hitting him on his upper back and sending him toppling to the ground.
Pulling on Riot’s reins, Dakota turned him around and aimed her pistol at Daniel, where he lay on the ground. “Turn around. I want to see your face,” she instructed.
Daniel did as he was told, looking up at her, confusion clear on his face.
Dakota reached deep inside, channeling all her hate and anger. “This is for my mother,” she said, and then pulled the trigger. The .36 slug penetrated his temple, killing him instantly.
Chapter 20
Blade was watching Dakota and their surroundings carefully. He had his Colt ready, and the moment she requested his help, he pulled the trigger. He aimed directly at Daniel’s pistol, leaving it up to Dakota to kill him. As soon as he pulled the trigger, the men in the distance reacted, trying to see where the shot had come from. Luckily, they were far away.
Looking back at Dakota, Blade was transfixed. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She had always been a force to be reckoned with. He knew she was tough and more than capable, but for the first time, he didn’t see her as his lifelong friend. He saw her as a spectacularly beautiful and powerful woman.
He had worried that she wouldn’t be able to go through with killing Daniel when the time came, but she didn’t hesitate at all. Her bravery and determination were impressive. Dakota stared down at Daniel’s dead body for a moment and then jumped into action, steering Riot toward Blade.
“We have to get out of here,” she stated, her voice slightly shaky.
Blade nodded in agreement as he turned Africa around and headed toward the gap in the fence. He quickly caught up with Dakota and Riot and took the lead. They had discussed the route they would take to their next destination, but even so, it was best if Dakota followed him.
They raced down the road, took a right turn, and then swerved onto a narrow path that led through sparse woodlands. They galloped through the woods for a long time and then ventured back onto a road. They had left Rapid City far behind, and nobody was following them. Deciding that it was safe enough, Blade slowed Africa to a steady trot.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “I’m sure it’s dinner time already.”
Dakota glanced over her shoulder. “You think it’s safe?”
“They’re not coming after us,” Blade replied. “If they were, we would have seen or heard them by now.”
“Okay, then,” Dakota agreed. “I could eat.”
