"Come on, Mrs. Marston, I know a guy who has a good boat," Blake said. "He'll take us all there."

The large group of vigilantes boarded a large boat and the boat headed for the island. Everyone climbed from the boat onto the land and walked along a path. Heavily-armed, they were ready for anything.

Horizon Hills was a lovely island. Wild animals were everywhere. They could hear birds singing. As the group hurried up the path, they saw a guard post ahead.

"That must be where Jack is being held," Irene said. "Anyone who's not ready, leave now."

"We're all ready," Blake assured.

A guard jumped when he saw the mob.

"Where is David Keller?," Irene called as everyone stopped their horses. "I want to see David Keller, the man in charge."

"You people cannot be here," the guard said.

"I want to see David Keller immediately," Irene demanded. "I want my husband brought to me right this minute."

The guard raised his gun. Blake shot him in the arm, disarming him without killing him.

"Where is Jack Marston?," Irene asked. "Where is my husband? You people took him without cause and I want him back now."

"I am David Keller," a man said as he approached the group. "You must be Irene Ricketts-Marston. Glad to meet you. Your husband is here and we are not releasing him."

"Like hell you're not," Irene said as she drew her gun. "I want Jack brought to me now. And he better not be hurt."

"Well, that train has left the station," Keller said. "Jack tripped, had a little accident."

Irene fired, striking Keller in the leg. "Next one will be the knee, which is a very painful place to take a bullet," she warned. "Where is my husband?"

Keller motioned for Irene to follow him. She dismounted and followed him as some of her cohorts followed a few feet back. They were determined to make sure she was not hurt. Keller led them to a small shack and unlocked the door.

"You stay here," Blake warned Keller as Irene stepped into the shack.

"Jack?," Irene called quietly as she turned on a light. She gasped at what she saw. "Jack!" Irene ran to her man and dropped to her knees beside him.

Sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, Jack was shackled to the floor. He had been beaten black and blue. His left eye was swollen shut and his nose was broken. Irene was afraid to even touch him.

"Jack," Irene whispered as she finally put her hands on him. "We're getting you out of here, baby. You'll be fine." She kissed his head and fought back tears. She looked back at Blake. "Get the keys off Keller," she said. "We're getting Jack outta here now."

Blake found the keys and tossed them to Irene. She found the right key and removed the shackles from Jack's wrists and ankles. Blake's wife, Fiona, helped her. She put her hand on Irene's shoulder and nodded reassuringly at her.

"We'll help him," Fiona promised. "We'll do all we can for him."

Irene nodded.

"Joey found the weapons," Blake said. "He's got Jack's things."

"Thank you," Irene said. "Let's get Jack out of this place." She turned her attention back to Jack. "We're taking you home, Jack," she assured him. "You'll be fine. I love you."

Jack never said a word. Once his hands were free, he put his arms around Irene and clung to her. She held his face against her chest and stroked his hair. She glared at Keller. "Tripped, my ass," she snapped. "You people beat him. How could you?"

"He wouldn't cooperate," Keller said.

"You people invaded his home twice in his life," Irene replied. "Do you think that's gonna make him respect you? He hates you, all of you."

"Look, all we wanted was for him to track down somebody for us and this would all have been avoided," Keller said.

"Have you ever heard of asking politely?," Irene asked. "Threatening a man's family will not get you your way. I'm all Jack has, thanks to your people. You ruined his life once and now you're trying to do it again."

"We just wanted his help," Keller said.

"Learn to ask properly," Irene replied. "Your people were going to stash me here to get what you wanted from Jack. Jack was not gonna let that happen." She paused. "Jack and I hunt bounties together," she continued. "We're a team. You can't separate us and expect us to help you with anything."

Joey placed Jack's weapons by Irene. She thanked him.

"We have a wagon ready to take him to the boat and we'll get him home immediately," Blake said.

Blake and Joey helped Jack to the wagon as gently as they could.

Irene rode in the wagon and cradled Jack in her arms the entire trip. She was angry at what these people had done to her man. She was not going to let them get away with this.

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