They’d almost reached the hotel when a shout went up from the saloon. Two men crashed through the swinging door, landing in a tangle of fists and blows. A crowd quickly formed. People rushed past Ella and Cody, jostling them in the process. He tugged her to the side of a large building to protect her from the fray.
Gunshots rang out.
Cody looped an arm around his wife. He gaped at the crowd. “They’re not even batting an eye.”
“It’s unsettling.” Ella nestled closer as they reached the corner of the building. “This looks like something out of a dime novel.”
“Except it’s real.” He shook his head. “At least we know someone’ll be awake to point us to the doctor.”
Ella opened her mouth. Her words were cut off as she was yanked from his grasp. She screamed, disappearing into the alley.
Cody’s heart plummeted. He ran after her. “Ella!”
A shot cracked through the night. He stumbled back. Red-hot pain poured into him. He grabbed his shoulder. Sticky, warm blood seeped through his fingers.
A man emerged from the shadows, Ella pinned to his side. The gun in his hand pointed directly at Cody’s heart. “Mr. Brooks. You didn’t heed my warnings.” Hetsked. “All you had to do was return Ariella to me, and no one would’ve been hurt. Now, you’ve forced my hand.”
Ella’s face shattered Cody. Her body trembled. Tears shone in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Cody.”
“Don’t apologize, darlin’. This isn’t your fault.” His eyes bore into the man’s. “I’m guessin’ this is Howard.”
The man sneered. “I suppose you’re not as dumb as you look.”
Ella bristled.
Howard turned a slow smile on her. “Ah, you don’t like insults aimed his way, do you?” His expression hardened. He cocked the gun. “You promise to come with me, my dear, no attempting to escape, and I’ll let this”—his eyes raked disdainfully over Cody—“cowboy live. Your choice.”
Despair filled his wife’s eyes.
Rage ignited in Cody. He wasn’t about to make Ella choose between him or freedom. His muscles coiled and tensed. The pain in his body faded. He’d tangled with a few steers over the years. An arrogant Boston businessman couldn’t be any worse. Gun or no gun.
With a harsh yell, he sprang forward.
Gunfire rang in her ears again. Ella screamed as her husband’s body jerked, but he continued his lunge at Howard. Cody hit him with his full weight. Howard’s hold on her broke. Both men plummeted to the ground. The gun flew to the side.
Footsteps raced into the alley. Travis appeared, weapon drawn. Cody and Howard wrestled for the upper hand.
Travis took her arm and pulled her back. He thrust the gun into her hands. “Hold this.” His eyes bore into hers. “And Ella, if necessary…use it.”
A stone settled in her stomach. Travis reached the men just as Howard sent a punch at Cody’s face. It knocked her husband onto his back. Blood soaked his shirt. Ella cried out. She dropped to her knees beside him. “Cody!”
He groaned. His eyes opened into slits. “Ella. Travis came?”
“Yes. He’s here.” She looked behind her in time to see Travis haul Howard to his feet. “He has Howard.”
Cody’s eyes closed. “Good.” Another groan seeped out of him. Moments later, his body went limp.
“Cody?” Ella shook his arm, panic threatening. “Cody!”
He didn’t move.
Agony ripped through her. “No!”
Howard’s maniacal laughter grated in her ears.
Travis jostled him. Anger lined his face. “Shut up.”
“Of course.” A sly smile tilted Howard’s lips. “Actions speak louder than words, no?” He slammed his head back into Travis’s face.
