“Why? They wouldn’t have done the same for your family.”
"They? You misheard me. I said, the prisoner, meaning one. I couldn't free the Chen, and I'm thankful for it." Chase stops and walks to her, "I’m trying to protect the tribe, but the Chen killed two young boys. The tribe must have retribution. War is coming, and I won't be the reason they're hurt. I will turn Cleveland over where he will be tried and hanged for his crimes, leaving me free to go after the source.”
Bronnah starts to argue, beg and plead, but she knows he's right. "I could help, Chase. You could use me as bait…"
“No!” He grabs her by her upper arms and pulls her close. “You’ve been hurt enough. I need to know you're safe with my family. They can protect you. Promise me, you will go home with them and wait for me." His eyes flash as he makes his demands.
“Who will protect you, Marshall?” she whispers.
"I will be fine. Bronnah, I am not dumb enough to try to take on the entire group alone. There will always be crime, but these people are trafficking human beings, and I now have a name and address. I'm taking a team with me, and when I'm through with them, there will be no one left who remembers our names.” A wicked gleam of determination is all she needs to know he speaks the truth.
“I love you, Chase Rivers. You come back to me.” He kisses her gently before giving his word.
“Chase? Are you decent?” Harris calls from outside the tent.
“Mostly,” he teases.
Harris is laughing as he enters with Kimani. “Are you leaving?” he asked his brother.
“Yes, Can Bronnah travel?”
“As long as we take it slow. Are there any other injuries I should know about?” Harris asked.
"Other than, her face, ribs, back and wrists," Kimani demands. "Are all white men so savage?" she murmurs.
Harris turns to face her, but Bronnah stops his words with her own.
"No, Kimani, they are not. My father loves my mother, and my brother is gentle. Chase has never raised a hand to me in anger, though I surely tempted him."
“Of course not, A Rivers would never harm a female,” Harris snaps and turns to Kimani, "As you well know, all races are capable of brutality, and that goes for both sexes, male and female."
Kimani drops her head in shame, aware of the multiple times he has taken care of her from the abuse of her own people. “Forgive me, I spoke without thinking. Excuse me.” She places the food near the fire and hurries from the tent.
“I’ll go talk to her. I will be back in a few minutes. Be safe brother.” He leaves quickly to catch up to Kimani.
Chase watches the interaction with a sigh, thinking of his promise to the Chief. That will come soon enough. "It's time. Listen to my brother and stay out of trouble, Bronnah-mine," he demands.
“I’ll do my best, but I don’t suppose you have a spare pistol, just in case?” she teases back.
“God, I love you,” Chase jerks her into his arms and kisses her firmly before stalking out. He leaves before she can respond, and her soft words follow him.
“I love you too.”
San Francisco
“He’s mighty proud of his glossy locks,” Rev snorts while watching from the room across the street.
“Maybe you should take his scalp to your friends Chase, I think they’d love that,” Jack teases.
“Don’t tempt me,” Chase growls, “I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about it.”
“All three of my sisters put together, don’t spend as much time on their hair as this man,” Davis snorts.
The three men chuckle even as Davis notates the schedule. “I can’t believe he’d be this stupid. His schedule should be varied. That’s the same day each week for six weeks. Always the same pattern, three personal bodyguards on the inside and a varied number scattered around him.”
Jack nods, “If we are going to take him alive, it will have to be when he lets his guard down. We just have to wait.”
“I agree. His house is too heavily guarded,” Chase starts to say.
"Give me the word, and I can take him out right now," Rev interrupts, even as he sites him with his scope.
"Virgil, you're mighty bloodthirsty for a man of the church," Jack snaps.
"We wait for the signal, like we planned," Chase snaps ignoring their teasing banter. Moving to the window, he taps Virgil on the shoulder, and they switch seats. "It's now or never. If this doesn't work, I make take you up on your offer."
Their voices fade away as he focuses on the barbershop.
Yung Lin Chen rules with absolute authority. They have learned better than to question his law. He's a ruthless dictator with many enemies. Every day he wakes in a windowless room, barred and locked on the inside with two massive chained guard dogs, one inside and one outside. To an outsider, it would seem that Yung has created a jail, but a quick glance around the lavish four-room suite dispels any pity.
Velvet brocade curtains over hand-painted windows. Beautiful furniture, ornate wooden tables, and handcrafted furnishings fill every room. His bathing room has a stunning hammered copper tub which he uses every morning at precisely the same time.
It was his favorite time of the day. He knocks the code on the inside of his door, indicating to the guard he is ready. The guard knocks back, and Yung reaches down to pat the dog on the head
