Read The Gunslinger for Free Online Page A

saving me. I hate that you killed the man—” Tears burned the back of her eyes. She despised the weakness that made her sink back onto the porch steps. She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth, memories of the glittering lust and hatred burning in Wade’s eyes assailing her. “He was going . . . going to . . . no one would stop him.”
    Wilder’s strong arms suddenly embraced her as he joined her on the step and held her near. She pressed her head against his warm, sturdy chest and heard the constant thudding of his heart.
    â€œNo one wants you here. Why don’t you leave?” he asked in a low rumble.
    She shook her head. “This place was the only gift Jack Ward ever gave me. It’s special to me.”
    â€œYou loved him?” he asked quietly.
    She nodded her head jerkily. “I shouldn’t have. God knows I should have despised him, but I never could bring myself to hate him. Even now when his gift brings me such pain, I can’t overlook the fact that he gave it to me out of love.”
    â€œHave you ever talked with John Ward, tried to settle the differences?”
    â€œNo. John came here one night with an army of men. He told me to pack up and get, then threatened to kill me as a trespasser if I ever set foot on his land. Delivered his message and rode out. Makes it hard to reason with a man when you can’t get near him.”
    â€œIt’s even harder to reason with him if he’s dead.”
    Lillian’s heart slammed against her ribs. Trembling, she clutched Wilder’s shirt and lifted her head from his chest, trying to see into the depths of his silver eyes, but they were only shadows hidden by the night. His embrace was steady, secure, his hands slowly trailing up and down her back. “Promise me you won’t kill him,” she demanded.
    A silence stretched between them as though he were weighing the promise against the offer that he’d cloaked as a simple statement. “If he’s dead, you and the boy will be safe.”
    She tightened her fingers around his shirt and gave him a small shake. “I don’t want the blood of Jack Ward’s son on my hands. Give me your word that you won’t kill him.”
    His hands stilled. “What are you willing to pay me to keep me from killing him?”
    Her stomach knotted, her chest ached with a tightness that threatened to suffocate her. Even though she couldn’t see it clearly, she felt the intensity of his perusal. She had no money, nothing to offer him—nothing to offer a killer except herself. And she knew that he was aware of that fact.
    Had she actually begun to feel sympathy for this man whose solitary life gave him no roots, allowed him no love? He was worse than Wade because at least Wade had barreled into her, announcing loudly and clearly what he wanted of her. The killer wanted the same thing, but he’d lured her into caring for him and trusting him, catching her heart unawares.
    The pain of betrayal ripped through her, and she thought she might actually understand why one man would kill another. Tiny shudders coursed through her body and tears stung her eyes as she answered hoarsely, “I’ll pay anything.”
    Beneath her clutched hand, his heart increased its tempo, pounding harder and faster. He cradled her face between his powerful hands. “Anything?” he whispered. “If I want all a woman can offer?”
    She nodded jerkily. “I don’t want John Ward killed.” How could she warn the man when approaching him meant her certain death?
    Wilder leaned in until his warm breath fanned her face. He shifted his thumbs and gently stroked the corners of her mouth. “I give you my word that I’ll let the bastard live.”
    He slashed his mouth over hers, demanding, claiming all that she offered to willingly pay: her body, her heart, her soul. She could not give one without giving the