The Payment (29 page)

“
Yeah and when you boys are finished
with yah visiting yah can help me.” Tuff quickly spoke up, the
young ones needed to keep busy and that is what he planned to do.
Keep them busy so they wouldn’t fret or be frightened.

Tired to the bone, Devon saw to his horse
and walked through the kitchen door. “How are they?” Were the first
words that left his mouth when he stepped in the room.

Every head in the room turned towards the
voice.

“
They’re going to be fine.” Jesse
answered and smiled reassuringly.

Devon took off his hat and hung it up.
“Thank God for that. How bout a cup of coffee and I will tell you
what’s planned. Then I intend to get a few hours shut eye.”

Chin Li had already poured coffee and handed
Devon the mug.

A smile of thanks on his lips, Devon pulled
out a stool and sat down. After taking a long sip of coffee, he set
the cup down. “Marshal Williams and a few rangers will be arriving
in a day or two.”

“
Good but where have you been? We
expected you back hours ago?” Jesse asked.

A smirk lifted his mouth Devon’s eyes
twinkled. “I went back to the King ranch. There was sure a hell of
a fit when they finally realized Dane and Traye had somehow
escaped. After a few hour's shut eye, I’m going back to make sure
none of them decide to sneak off.”

“
I’ll go.” Reese said as he came
further into the kitchen. He noticed the worried looks everyone
sent him and glared back. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan to do anything
else but keep an eye on every one of them.” He stood with his fist
clenched at his sides as he waited. He relaxed only slightly when
he received the nods of approval.

“
I’ll help you saddle up and tell you
where the best place to hide is so you can see both the back and
front door.” Devon finished his coffee and stood up, he clapped
Reese on the shoulder and both of them hurriedly left the
kitchen.

“
Can’t say I ain’t worried about the
boy.” Tuff mumbled in concern.

“
He’ll be fine; Devon will have a talk
to him while they saddle the horse.” Jesse reassured Tuff. “Come on
Mason, you can come up with me and since Reese is going out you can
sit with Traye for awhile then go and see Dane.”

Mason gave a quick nod and jumping to his
feet didn’t wait for Jesse but hurried up the back stairs to
Traye’s room.

With a sad sigh, Jesse picked up the tray
and followed behind Mason. God he wanted this over with and their
life back to normal again, especially for the young boys. He could
only hope that no lasting damage would be done to them.

A few moments later Jeff and Tye headed
upstairs to Dane and India’s room.

India saw the fear on Tye’s young face,
managed to pull herself up to sit, and opened her arms to him. When
he came flying into the them, she hugged him and kissed the top of
his head. “Dane’s going to be all right Tye I promise and so is
Traye.”

For a few moments, Jeff let India's sooth
Tye. “Come on Tye, let India eat her breakfast.”

Grudgingly Tye moved out of India’s embrace
and sat on the bed staring at Dane’s injured back. “What happened
to him?” He asked in a small-frightened voice.

Jeff positioned the tray on India’s lap and
placed a hand on Tye’s shoulder. “It doesn’t matter. All that
matters is he and Traye are going to be alright.”

Grateful to Jeff, India smiled up at him
then dropped her eyes to Dane. She gave a soft cry when she saw
that his eyes were open and clear.

“
I hope there’s some coffee for me.”
Even though the pain to his back burned unbearably, Dane
determinedly would not to let it show.

Tye moved over to Dane, as soon as he heard
his voice. He picked up his hand, held it tightly, and couldn’t
fight back the tears that filled his eyes.

“
Don’t cry Tye everything is going to
be all right I promise.” Dane pulled his hand free and wrapping it
around his younger brother, he pulled him down and cuddled him
close. His eyes closed, weary from the effort but his little
brother needed him and no matter how painful it might be or how
weak his body felt, his brother came first.

FIFTY-FOUR

After regaining consciousness, Dane spent
the first few days reassuring his wife and little brothers. Now
thankfully he felt his strength nearly fully returned. Even though
his back felt on fire, he was filled with determination to go with
his brothers, the rangers, and the Marshal to finally finish it
with his mother and the Kings. He sent India down stairs and now
with Devon’s help dressed.

“
Damn it Dane, why don’t you stay
here? You can barely stand and your back must be killing you.”
Devon tried to get him to see sense, but he could see by the
stubborn set of his face, that he would not listen to
reason.

It took everything in him but Dane gained
his feet and adjusted his gun belt on his hip. “No I’m going.
Nothing is going to stop me from seeing this through and ending it
once and for all.”

“
Hell.” Devon mumbled but knew Dane
wouldn’t change his mind. “Come on then. Let me help you down
stairs. But if you can’t sit on your blasted horse, you’re not
coming.”

Dane threw Devon a disparaging glare, and
clamped his mouth shut as Devon helped out of the room and down the
stairs. Every step he took was pure agony and sweat popped out on
his brow, but he would not change his mind. He just hoped he could
stay on his damn horse, Devon would never let him forget it if he
couldn’t.

“
India isn’t going to like this, you
realize it don’t you?” Devon hoped India would be able to talk Dane
out of this madness. If anyone could it would be her.

“
Damn it I know it. Let go I’ll be
fine.” Dane said as they reached the foyer. For a moment, he closed
his eyes and drew on every bit of strength he could find inside
him. He would definitely need it to face his wife. After a few
moments, his eyes opened, and he moved to the parlor doorway. He
didn’t intend to go any further. “India.” He called her name and
waited for her to turn, when she did, he smiled. “I’m going with
the boys, don’t worry sweetheart we’ll be back in a short
while.”

Surprised at hearing Dane call her name,
India’s head swiveled around. She gasped to see him standing in the
parlor doorway. “Dear God Dane are you mad? You can’t go anywhere
in your condition. Please I beg you to not go.”

His jaw clenched tightly, Dane gave his wife
a cold penetrating glare. “Don’t try to change my mind. You know
it’s something I have to do. I promise we’ll be back soon, and it
will finally be all over.” Before she could say anything else, he
spun around and stumbled slightly as the pain ripping through him
nearly overwhelmed him.

It was with only the greatest of efforts and
willpower that he managed to overcome it and walk away.

Cursing, Devon hurried after Dane and caught
him at the front door. “You’re being a stubborn fool. Come on damn
it, let’s get this finished. You better stay on your damn horse.”
He grumbled as he opened the door and helped Dane out of the house
and over to the barn.

India fought back the tears, the pleading
words she wanted to say were clogged in her throat. She understood
her husband’s need to finish it with his mother. But dear Lord, he
could hardly stand and must be in unbearable pain. She wouldn’t
stop worrying until he and his brothers returned. All she could do
in the mean time is pray they would all return home safely.

“
Damn it Dane are you crazy? You
should be in bed.” Jesse growled when he saw Dane and Devon walked
inside the barn.

Dane rested against the side of the barn as
Devon quickly saddled his horse. “Don’t bother arguing. I’m coming
and none of you are going to stop me.” He growled out and hoped he
kept the pain out of his voice.

Jesse huffed a breath, with a shake of his
head turned back, and finished saddling his horse.

With Devon and Jesse’s help Dane managed to
sit on his horse, he fought the blackness off that tried to engulf
him. Only the bitterness in his heart and the rage consuming him
kept him from giving in to it and kept him in the saddle.

They slowly rode out of the barn. As they
rode down the drive, everyone kept their gaze on Dane to make sure
he wouldn’t fall off his horse.

Even though every time his horse’s hoofs hit
the ground and sent shards of pain through him, Dane determinedly
would not to give in to it. Nothing and no one would stop him from
finishing this and finally making sure that their mother would
never have another chance to ruin their lives.

With nothing to do, India could not stop
herself from worrying. Chin Li and Tuff were keeping Mason and Tye
occupied. Traye remained upstairs still recovering and she couldn’t
even go up there to sit with him. She tossed her sewing on the
cushion beside her in frustration.

She knew she should probably be in bed
herself, her labor started hours ago. However, she refused to let
anyone know. Now she wished she had said something, perhaps then
Dane might not have gone. Well, it was too late now. She was about
to try to stand up when a pain ripped through her stomach. Letting
out a low groan she bent over and wrapped her arms around her
enlarged stomach.

This one seemed far stronger than all the
others she experienced earlier. Biting her bottom lip, she knew
that she couldn’t put off telling Chin Li and Tuff any longer. She
didn’t want to have her babies without Dane being at her side, but
it seemed she might have to do it on her own after all.

When the pain eased, she drew in a long slow
breath and lifted her head. There is no sense putting it off. She
needed help getting upstairs. About to open her mouth, she snapped
it shut when Tye raced in the room. “Tye will you fetch Chin Li and
Tuff for me?”

Tye came in to see if India wanted a drink
but at her request, he spun around and hurried back to the kitchen.
“India wants to see yah both.”

Tuff looked with wide-eyed worry at Chin
Li.

“
Time Missy called. Come, we need to
take her to bed.” Chin Li hurried from the room, he knew that
Missy’s labor started hours ago but saw no harm in letting her sit
in the parlor. Now though it is time to take her up to
bed.

“
Dear God don’t tell me she’s going to
have the babies now?” Tuff whispered as he hurried beside Chin
Li.

“
Yes Missy have her babies, Dane's
fool boy has gone so we must take care of her.” Chin Li answered as
he stepped into the parlor and hurried to her side. “Missy ready
for bed now?”

India gave a grimacing smile. “Yes I suppose
I am.”

“
Good, good now let us help you stand
then we take you up to room.” Chin Li went to reach for her arm but
stopped at her frightened question.

“
It’s going to be all right isn’t Chin
Li? You know the babies will be all right?” Suddenly without Dane
at her side, India started to become frightened and needed
reassurance.

Chin Li took her elbow and Tuff the other
one and helped her to her feet. “Missy have no need worry, Chin Li
look after both Missy and babies.”

FIFTY-FIVE

“
How very touching.” Irene sneered as
she pushed her two youngest sons inside the parlor. “So she’s about
to whelp her brat is she?” She tossed her head and gave an evil
chilling laugh. Just a short time ago, she watched all her sons
ride out. All her plans lay in ruins and now all she wanted is at
least to have some revenge.

“
Oh dear God.” India whispered and
grasped hold of Chin Li’s arms to keep herself standing.

Tuff reached out, pulled both Mason and Tye
to him, and wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders. “Get
out. Haven’t you done enough to these boys you cold evil
bitch?”

“
How dare you speak to me in such a
way, you washed up old man. You and that damn Chinaman are partly
to blame for everything.” Irene screamed back and waved the gun at
them all.

“
Go away. Go away you mean ugly
woman.” Mason screamed at her.

Irene stepped forward and gave a vicious
slap to his face.

India stepped in front of Tuff, Mason, and
Tye in protection. “Don’t you dare lay another hand on them, you
cold heartless woman.”

Her eyes turned even colder. Irene gave a
spiteful sneer. “You’re in no condition to threaten me, you little
slut. Now I suggest you all take a seat and wait for everyone to
come back.”

Tuff knew they didn’t have any other choice
but to do what the bitch said. “India, boys sit down.”

India refused to budge. “No I’m not letting
this ugly hag threaten or hurt any of us anymore.”

Irene gave a chilling laugh and once again
lashed out sending the smaller woman to her knees.

“
India.” Tye and Mason screamed
together.

Chin Li rushed forward and bending down
helped Missy to her feet, one look in her eyes could see she was
suffering another contraction.

“
So I’m right. The bitch is in labor.
How perfect.” Irene thought things could not have worked out more
perfectly. She might not have lost getting her hands on the ranch
after all. With her eldest sons wife about to give birth she held
the perfect weapon in her hands.

Upstairs Traye heard the chilling laughter
followed by the anguished cries. He struggled to sit up and gnashed
his teeth against the excruciating pain. He knew something terribly
wrong was going on down stairs. In his weakened condition, he
finally managed to swing his legs over the edge of the bed. For a
moment, he felt the dizziness nearly overwhelm him but dragging in
long slow breathes he fought if off.