The distraction was all Wyatt needed. His first bullet struck Montgomery's shoulder, spinning him backward off his horse. The second hit the man's gun hand as he attempted to regain his aim. Montgomery screamed in pain and rage, his pistol falling to the ground as he clutched his bleeding hand. "Wyatt was on him in moments, dragging him away from the horses and throwing him face down in the dirt." "Billy, are you hurt?" Wyatt called, keeping his boot firmly planted on Montgomery's back.
Just these damn ropes and some bruises, Billy replied, struggling to free himself now that his horse had calmed. He jumped me when I was checking the north pasture. Made me tell him about the line cabins. "Not your fault," Wyatt assured him, using his free hand to cut Montgomery's belt and fashion a rough binding for the man's wrists. "Lillian, bring me some rope from inside, please." Lillian emerged cautiously.
Emma held tightly in her arms. Her face pald at the sight of her former husband bleeding on the ground, but her steps were steady as she brought Wyatt the requested rope. "Is he? Will he live?" she asked, keeping her distance. "Unfortunately," Wyatt replied grimly, securing Montgomery's wrists behind his back.
The wounds aren't fatal, just painful. Montgomery twisted his head to glare at Lillian, his handsome face contorted with hatred. "You'll regret this, Lillian. Both of you. My father has connections judges marshals.
You won't escape punishment." "Shut up," Wyatt growled, tightening the ropes deliberately. To Billy, who had managed to free himself and was now approaching, he added, "Ride back to the ranch. Tell Henderson what happened and that we're bringing Montgomery into the sheriff in Clearwater. Billy nodded, glancing wearily at the bound man. You sure you don't want me to stay and help?
We'll be fine, Wyatt assured him. But send someone ahead to alert Sheriff Davis about the situation. As Billy rode off, Wyatt hauled Montgomery to his feet. The eastern man swayed, pale from pain and blood loss. You need to bandage these wounds, he demanded.
I could bleed to death. You should have thought of that before threatening my family, Wyatt replied coldly. Nevertheless, he nodded to Lillian. Bring me some cloth for bandages. I don't want him dying before he faces justice.
While Lillian went back into the cabin, Wyatt leaned close to Montgomery, his voice pitched low so only the other man could hear. If you ever come near my wife or daughter again, I will kill you. That's not a threat. It's a promise. There are hundred places in these mountains where a body would never be found.