Read Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) for Free Online

opportunity needed, and he intended to take full advantage.
    Blowing out air, he ignored the screaming pain and went after Harland with a vengeance. Harland’s squeal alerted the others there was trouble. By the time the three men whirled around, Channing’s fingers were digging into Harland’s larynx, cutting off his oxygen. “I prefer to handle matters amicably, but obviously you like to do things dirty. I don’t take kindly to you wanting to hang me for an offense I didn’t commit,” Channing breathed.
    “Shoot the bastard!”
    The twig with the nasty mouth withdrew his pistol and aimed. A shot rang out and echoed through the quietness. The next actions were a dizzying whirlwind of activity. Everybody seemed to move at once, Channing ducked and rolled, and another pop pop sounded. There was a blur of movement…Channing had Harland’s gun in his hand. He pulled the trigger and nothing happened. The gun jammed.
    “You always had a cheap taste in weapons,” Channing said. He tossed the gun aside.
    “You lose, injun,” Harland said. He caught the rifle his partner tossed to him. “I would prefer to see you dangling from a tree, but the gunshots might send someone coming, and I can’t afford to be seen. You get to die the easy way, with a bullet between your eyes.”
    Channing stared at him unflinching.
    The crackle of gunfire vibrated, smoke lingered in the air, and then Channing watched Harland drop dead. Before he could assess who had made the shot, another rung out, and the twig clutched his chest and toppled over, falling face first into the dirt. He whirled around as another gunshot sounded, the bullet whizzed by his head too close for comfort, and then he heard the thud as the final assailant fell.
    Channing dived and secured one of the weapons on the ground closest to his feet, seeing a shadowy figure emerge from the cluster of trees and step into the sunlight.
    Noor and Channing faced off. Each pointed a gun at the other.
    Channing eyed the man suspiciously. “You plan on trying to use that gun on me?”
    Noor didn’t bat an eye. “Not if you don’t give me a reason.”
    “I think we can both agree that would be uncouth of me since you came to my aid.” Channing grinned, and tossed the weapon away.
    “It seems we are in accord.” Noor holstered his gun.
    “You’re fast. One of the fastest guns I have witnessed in a long time.” Harland tossed his knife and gun in the tall grass, which he scanned. The sunlight reflected off the metal and caught his attention. He walked over and searched the area until he found the weapons. Habitually, he checked the Colt, sheathed it, and strolled to where his horse wandered by the tall grass. He patted the animal and called over his shoulder. “Thank you for the assistance. My name is Channing, by the way.”

Chapter Four

    “You’re welcome.” Noor whistled for his horse.
    He noticed Channing examined the animal appreciatively. “Nice stock. She’s a beauty. This is the first I have seen the grulla breed and doubted its existence until now. How did you acquire the animal?”
    Noor came close to saying he selected the animal from the images the historians showed him. The breed, pronounced grew-yuh, caught his attention because of the coloring, a dark slate gray, almost blue black, with a white stripe down the back. The specimen’s uniqueness intrigued him. “My father was fortunate enough to come across her and purchased the horse for me.”
    “Your father paid a handsome price. I didn’t catch your name.”
    “Noor Rynoir.” He extended his hand and they shook on their new acquaintance.
    “Well, Noor Rynoir, I can honestly say it’s nice to meet a stranger,” Channing said. He raked his fingers through coal black hair, setting it off his forehead, and revealed strong facial features, a defined jaw line, and brown warm but intense eyes. Maybe too serious for someone Channing’s age, Noor thought, wondering how old he might be.
    “As much as I