Even as he fought, he knew it. There were six of them and one of him, and he couldn't be everywhere at once. He heard a horse whinny, heard the barn door slam open, and then the sound he'd been praying for. Hoof beats fast and getting faster. Ayla had made it.
Relief flooded through him, followed immediately by fresh fear. She was out there alone in the dark with armed men chasing her. But at least she had a chance. That was more than she'd had 5 milesinutes ago. Someone tackled Wyatt from the side, driving him into the snow.
He lost his grip on the rifle, felt a fist crack into his jaw. He swung back wildly, his knuckles connecting with something soft. The man on top of him grunted and rolled away. Wyatt scrambled to his feet, reaching for the pistol at his belt. But before he could draw it, cold steel pressed against the back of his head.
"Don't move!" Cade's voice, breathless and angry. Wyatt froze. Harlo walked over, his face twisted with rage. Blood ran from a cut above his eye, and his coat was scorched where a bullet had grazed him.
"You stupid son of a —," he snarled. "You just cost me two good men." "Good," Wyatt said. Harlo hit him, a vicious backhand that split Wyatt's lip and sent him sprawling. Wyatt tasted blood, felt his vision swim.
Strong hands grabbed him and hauled him upright. "Where'd she go?" Harlo demanded. Wyatt spat blood into the snow. "West.
You'll never catch her." "We'll see about that. Cade, take Davis and ride after her. The rest of you, secure the ranch." Cade holstered his gun and ran for his horse.
Wyatt tried to lunge after him, but someone hit him from behind, driving him to his knees. Pain exploded through his skull. "Leave him," Harlo said. "He's not going anywhere." They dragged Wyatt into the barn and tied him to one of the support posts.
His hands were bound behind his back, the rope cutting into his wrists. His head throbbed where they'd hit him, and his ribs ached from the beating, but none of that mattered. All he could think about was Ayla, alone in the dark with two killers on her trail. Harlo crouched in front of him, his face inches away. "You should have listened to me, Mercer.
Should have walked away when you had the chance." Now you're going to sit here and think about all the ways we're going to make that girl pay for the trouble she caused." Wyatt met his eyes. his voice steady despite the pain. "You touch her and I'll kill you. I don't care how long it takes.
I'll hunt you down and I'll end you." Harlo laughed. "Big talk for a man tied to a post, but sure, you keep telling yourself that." He stood and walked away, leaving Wyatt alone in the cold darkness. Minutes passed, or maybe hours.