Dangerous Read Free Page B

didn’t respond, but grabbed her arm and then dragged her over to his waiting horse. With the gun still pointed on her, he reached inside and pulled out some rope.
    “What are you doing?” she asked, a feeling of unease skittering down her spine, wondering what he intended to do with the rope.
    He didn’t say a word, but shoved his gun into his holster and spun her around like she was a spindle top, tugged her arms behind her back, and tied her wrists together.
    “Why are you tying my hands? It’s very uncomfortable.” This wasn’t good. This wasn’t good at all. She needed her hands available to fight him off. To get to her gun. To escape and return with her sisters. She should have gotten Ruby and Meg before coming out on this trip.
    “I’m not interested in your comfort.”
    “Why are you so mean? Are you proving to me that you can be a bad guy?”
    Beau stopped and looked at her. A smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “Sugar, I don’t have to prove anything. I know I’m one mean son of a bitch. And you want to take me into the sheriff. Did you think I was going to faint and say please take me to my hanging?”
    She shook her head. “A girl can hope.”
    He chuckled then reached down and traced his finger along her mouth. “You’ve got one smart mouth.”
    A shiver trickled down her spine, igniting areas of her body in a way she’d not experienced before. She didn’t know if it was fear or some other emotion she hadn’t yet identified.
    How was she going to get out of this while she was tied up? She’d left a note in the sheriff’s office when she’d gone in to get Zach, but he was long gone and the office was empty for the day. Hopefully, he would be on his way here in the morning. She would do her best to ride this out until then.
    Beau didn’t say a word but marched her back to the campfire. “Get comfortable. It’s going to be a long night.”
    “I need a bedroll.”
    He glanced over at her horse. “You don’t have one?”
    “No, but you do,” she said with a smile.
    “Who rides out without a bedroll? Do you have any supplies? Anything?” he asked, staring at her like she was crazy.
    “Yes, I’ve got a few supplies.”
    “You followed me on a whim. Greenhorn mistakes like that can cost you your life.”
    “I’m not a greenhorn,” she spit out.
    “Well then, you’re not very smart.”
    Annabelle had to bite her lip to keep from saying anything. She’d followed him without much thought as to her actions. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing she’d ever done, but he’d have to torture her before she’d ever admit to her error.
    He got up, marched over to his horse, and pulled off his bedroll. He came back to the fire and spread it out. “We’ll share.”
    “No. We won’t.”
    “Your husband wouldn’t approve?” he said with a mocking smile.
    This had just gotten way more serious than she’d anticipated. She’d never considered the danger to herself, only the reward when she brought in her captive.
    “Lay a hand on me and my husband will beat you until you’re talking out of the other side of your mouth.” She sat on the ground, facing him, watching his every move. “I don’t care where you sleep. I’m taking the bedroll.”
    He stared off into the night, a wrinkled crease on his forehead, like he was deep in thought. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and held it up to the firelight. She watched with trepidation as his lips curled in a smile. “I don’t think you’re married. There’s no ring. No shadow of a former ring. There’s no man waiting down the road for you. You’re alone.”
    “Not for long. My sisters are on their way, and they’ll be bringing the law.”
    “Well then, I’ll be sure to leave you tied up where they can find you.”
    “You wouldn’t.”
    “I would.” He leaned back against his saddle, closed his eyes and pulled his hat low. “Good night, bounty hunter.”
    “You bastard.”
    He chuckled. “Such a nasty, sassy mouth. Makes