Poker games are played, and the alcohol served is sloshed about while men bury their guilt and shame in the liquor and entertainment. Aiden heads to the bar and tosses a quarter to the bartender.
“Whiskey, the good kind, not the rot gut you serve to these fools.” He orders. The bartender glares at him, and a shot glass is slammed on the bar and poured carefully then slid to Aiden. He shoots it back and turns to scan the bar. The kind of crew he will need to hire would not sit with their backs to the bar. No, they would be in the most defendable positions. Corners or high ground. He glances around bored with the typical show that one finds in these saloons. Poker games, someone cheats, and someone gets shot. A fight over a dancing girl breaks out while someone declares undying love for another girl and finds her with another man, more fighting ensues.
Aiden sighs, bored, he decides to liven things up. He heads across the room, to the stairs and moves up the wooden stairs while another show starts. The dancing girls, wiggle and shake to the piano keys, and the men cheer and drink.
The painted girls watch him and move to greet him with a smile. Blonde or brunette? With a grin, he chooses the blonde girl, and the brunette pouts stalking away. He pulls her towards the railing pretending to watch the show below while she whispers to him, her rate and room number.
Aiden feels the eyes of the men in the corner and grins in their direction. He cups the woman’s ass, pulling her against his body and she gasps at his forwardness as he nibbles his way down her throat. His hand slips around and under her thigh which she lifts to allow his hand higher.
Her blue eyes widen when he strokes her. As she closes her eyes and grinds down in pleasure, he grabs her by her arm and leg lifting her high before tossing her screaming over the balcony railing and onto the stage below.
Her terrified scream is drowned out by the music and cheers, and for a moment, no one moves when she crashes into the wood with a sickening thud. The piano stops and all heads swivel in the direction of Aiden's laughter. His sick, chuckle is the only sound heard, and from the corner of the upstairs balcony, a movement catches his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he buries his knife deep into the man's throat, and the girls upstairs run screaming.
Aiden approaches the balcony railing and lifts his hands. In one hand he holds a stick of dynamite, in the other a bag of gold.
“Now, before this goes any further and I kill the lot of you, I would ask that you hear me out. I am looking to hire some men. A rancher from your parts, named Dalton Rivers stole my property, and I want it back. I pay in gold dust, he jiggles the bag. In advance and I will triple the bounty for the one who brings me back my property.”
Silent faces lifted to him, fill with greed and determination, Aiden smiles. He has them now. “What will it be, Dust or Blood?” he roars.
Chapter 32
“Dust or Blood?” Aiden roars and Cassie wakes with a start, heart pounding and looks around in fear. The small cabin is empty and so is her bed. Dalton is gone. The echoes of Aiden's rage flutters in her mind, and she wonders what it means? Does she dare look?
She gathers the blanket around her shoulders and walks to the fireplace to add another log. The sound of heavy boots on the porch, causes her to move toward her rifle. Her hand is resting on it when Dalton stomps his way inside the small cabin. He freezes when he notices Cassie staring at him with fear in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” he looks around and finding nothing out of place kicks the door shut behind him and places a tray of food on the small table.
Cassie rushes to him, and he wraps her in his warm embrace and soothes her trembling body. “Nothing, just a bad dream,” she whispers into his shoulder.
“No more bad dreams, Cassie. Only beautiful dreams are allowed here. I thought you might be hungry?” he asks kissing her softly.
“I'm famished. It smells amazing.” She moves to the tray and finds fresh eggs, toast and coffee. “You spoil me, Dalton,” she says, picking up a cup of coffee and watching him move around.
“Nothing is too good for you, Mrs. Rivers,” he says with a laugh. When he turns back from dropping his boots and coat, he finds her frowning at him.
“Dalton, you have to stop calling me that. It is cruel to do this to your family, and I won't be party to lying anymore,” Cassie snaps and drops her cup on the plate.
“Get dressed, then we will talk. My family is waiting to meet you.” Dalton ignores her and sits down to eat.
“Just as long as we understand each other, Dalton. I won't lie to your family.” She stomps to the back of the cabin to clean up and dress. Her velvet green riding dress is hanging in the bathroom. It is clean and pressed for her, and she sighs. God, she loves that man! When did he take the time to have her dress cleaned? He thinks of her needs before her own. If only she were his for life.
“Dust and
