Page 313 of Rangers Last Promise

He’s stronger than he looks.

His forearm drives against my throat.

I bring my knee up.

He blocks it and slams me into the filing cabinet.

Pain explodes through my shoulder.

Sheriff Tate moves toward us.

Harlan grabs the front of my vest and turns me between them.

His gun presses against my ribs.

“Drop your weapon, Sheriff.”

Tate freezes.

Havoc circles toward the other side.

Harlan pulls me backward.

“Tell the Ranger to stop.”

“He isn’t very good at following orders,” I say.

The gun digs harder into my side.

“Neither are you.”

“I get that a lot.”

“I could kill you before they fire.”

“Yes.”

“Does that frighten you?”

“No.”

It does.

Not because I’m afraid to die.

Because I promised Colin I’d come back.

Because I finally told him I loved him.

Because I want the life we haven’t had yet.

But Harlan doesn’t get to take that from me.

I look at Sheriff Tate.

Then Havoc.

Neither has a clear shot.