Chapter 9

In in a split-second decision, everything clicked. I couldn’t turn this man in. I loved him. “I’m in,” I said decisively, knowing I was sealing my fate. I had picked my allegiances and I could never go back.

Zander smiled as if he had expected it all along. Passionately, he leaned down, cupping my face in his hands and kissing me roughly. Our lips danced together as if this was our final goodbye. I held onto him tightly, my heartbeat quickening, knowing how dangerous this would be. Finally, he pulled away, gazing into my bright green eyes, sending a shiver down my spine. “You heard the lady, let’s go!” He took hold of his steed’s reins and snapped them like a whip. His feet dug into its back and we shot off like lightning, barreling toward the contingent.

The officers looked shocked at first glance, standing there like statues before they picked up their weapons, aiming them at us. A few bullets flew dangerously close to my head, but we still rode on, trying to get close enough for our revolvers to be of any use. “Now!” Zander called out. In a flash, we all started firing, aiming at the officers.

I made quick work of a few, shooting their weapons right out of their hands. The sounds of gunfire echoed through the canyon until it was deafening. My heart hammered in my chest as Zander effortlessly guided his force closer to the front line. A rush of exhilaration washed over me, and I got up, balancing on the saddle.

Zander’s eyes grew wide as he saw my brass move. Like this, I was nothing more than a moving target. “Come and get me, boys!” I called out, cupping my hands around my mouth, haphazardly holding my gun in one of my fingers.

A volley of shots came my way and I grinned as they all missed their mark. I felt invincible. “You’re going to have to try harder than that!” I was about to take aim when I felt Zander standing next to me.

We were both standing on his horse’s back as it rode on its own accord, well-trained enough to know where to go and what to avoid. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close, his hot breath against my neck. He took hold of my hand, helping me aim and together, we shot at the nearest officer. He collapsed to the ground, holding his busted hand. It would heal with time, but for now, he was out of commission and that was exactly what we wanted.

I laughed as we continued to hit our mark every time. Zander pulled me closer and I felt butterflies form in my stomach. Through pluck, luck, and lots of courage, we managed to shoot our way through most of them. That is until they brought out the big guns. At one point, they had managed to call for backup and now, a large cannon was being rolled into the mouth of the valley. Zander quickly pulled me down onto the saddle. He whistled as loud as he could, signaling his men to retreat. There was no way we could go against that thing and hope to see another day.

As the men started to load the cannon, we shot off as fast as we could in the other direction. I breathed hard, holding on to the steed’s mane while Zander’s arms held me tight, making sure I didn’t fall off even as he pushed his horse to the limit, spittle flying between his teeth.

A cacophony of sound was heard behind us. I looked back, seeing a convoy coming our way. “They’re gaining on us!” I said.

“Split up!” Zander shouted. Obediently, every one of his men went off in a different direction, forcing the contingent to split up as well.

It was just me and Zander now. I kept looking back, seeing the vehicle getting closer and closer. “Give me your gun!”

He didn’t respond for a moment so I had no choice but to reach down into his pants and pull it out myself. I turned around in the saddle, straddling him. I had to sit on his lap in order to see over his shoulder. The officers made eye contact with me, their guns aimed right at us. I tried to focus my breathing, my fingers shaking. I knew Zander only had one bullet left. I had to make it count.

I closed one of my eyes, taking aim. I used his shoulder to steady myself, my body pressed against his. Our heartbeats hammered together. I unlocked the safety and held my breath, bracing myself. I pulled the trigger.

A soft bang emerged from his gun as the last bullet left the chamber, heading straight for the vehicles’ wheel. It spun out of control, crashing into a nearby ditch. Smoke billowed from the wreckage and I laughed in success.

“Nice shooting,” Zander said, his hand on my ass, giving it a firm squeeze. I giggled and sat back down, kissing his lips as we continued to ride.

“You owe me for saving our skins.” I teased him, my arms still around his neck.

He chuckled and kissed me again, letting the passion he felt for me come to the surface. I melted into it, eventually resting my head on his chest as he held me close. His horse was getting tired, but we pushed on, determined to put as much distance as we could between us and the people that had tried to capture us.

We rode long into the night, running for freedom, knowing if we were captured, we would both be put on the chopping block. Finally, we stopped at a small lake. We looked at each other and smiles spread across our faces. We had made it! Together.