Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Cole bit out instructions to his men. “Justice, you water the horses and see to their food.” He turned to Aida, still astride the horse and spoke low enough that only Junior and Aida could hear him. “Normally, I’d have you do the womanly tasks, but today, that’ll be up to Junior.”
Cole crooked a finger at Junior. Junior’s brow furrowed, and he looked like he was about to protest, but before he said a word, Cole removed Junior’s gun from his belt and handed it to him. Junior’s eyes momentarily widened, then looked up at Cole apprehensively. Good. He knew he deserved to be punished for losing his weapon, but Cole would play his cards carefully with Monty watching. And given Monty’s insulting Junior just now, Cole did not want to heap coal on Junior’s already wounded pride.
“Lost my gun,” Junior muttered.
“Is that right?” Cole asked sternly, fixing Junior with a look that made him squirm.
“Yes, sir,” Junior said. “I’m sorry.”
Cole spoke low so that no one could hear him. “Tonight you’ll do cleanup, first watch, and last watch.” Each men took one shift, and the bookend order would be difficult, especially when they were down a man. Junior nodded as Cole continued, his voice harsh and corrective. “And when you’re on guard, you think about how it’d be if you came across Monty alone and you had no metal to save your hide. You think about what it’d be like if Monty tried to hurt one of us, or stick his filthy cock in that girl and all you had to defend yourself was your own two fists against Monty’s metal.” Junior closed his eyes briefly, and Cole knew he’d gotten through to him. A man in Cole’s crew had to be armed, at all times, and it was a mistake deserving of punishment.
“Yes, sir,” Junior repeated, taking the gun from Cole and tucking it into his holster.
“You listen to me,” Cole said. Junior raised his eyes to him, and Cole stared at him. Junior was prepared to take the rest of the lecture like a man. Good. But Cole was done lecturing. “I heard what Monty said. We all did. He’ll pay for that, you mark me,” he whispered. “You know how I run this crew. And I ain’t never takin’ no boy who ain’t worth his salt. You got that? We’d have been strung up from the highest rafters in Carson if you hadn’t been with us last month, and I well know it.”
Junior’s eyes softened, and he nodded. “Then why’re we with them? Eatin’ dinner? Makin’ friends?”
“You’ll see,” Cole said, straightening. He’d only tell Junior as much as he needed to know. He’d only tell any of them as much as they needed to know. “For now, you do as you’re told. Go help Doc.”
Junior obediently went over to Doc. Cole reached his hands to Aida’s waist and helped her down. He could tell from the look on her face she’d heard all, but she kept her tongue. As her feet hit the ground, he drew her to him in a quick embrace, and this time it was not for show, but instinctive. She did not stiffen but gave into it. “That’s a good girl,” he whispered in her ear. “You stay away from this crew. You stay near me. So help me, Aida, I don’t want you out of my sight. You hear me?”
She nodded briefly before she pulled away.
Monty would burn in hell for what he’d done. But if Cole had his way, he’d pay long before then.
* * *
“Tell me there’s more than beans and cornbread,” Aida mumbled, her lips pursed.
She’d endured the raucous meal, as Monty and his gang regaled Cole’s crew with tales of their most recent exploits. Aida was no doubt horrified by their deplorable manners. Cole couldn’t help being rarely sickened himself. God almighty, who ate with one side of his mouth and chewed tobacco with the other? Disgusting.
He was so intent on keeping an eye on Monty and his men that he’d nearly forgotten Aida was there. She’d sat quietly by his side, but as he glanced at her now, he noted the flash of her eyes, the thinned lips, her arms tucked tight against her chest. And damn, if she got any closer to him she’d be sitting in his lap.
Still, she couldn’t be allowed to carry on with such comments. Cole fixed her with a stern look. “Beans and cornbread fill our bellies,” he said in a low voice, so that he wouldn’t be overheard. “And you’ll eat what you’re given without griping.”
She scoffed, tossing her head. “Where I’m from, we eat a varied diet,” she said, her teeth gritted.
What the hell was she playing at? Did the girl want her backside blistered? He reached for her chin and drew her face to his, tilting her head up, his fingers grasping firmly enough she winced.