After a long kiss and some flirty innuendos, Kitty watched Matt disappear down the steps at the end of the hall with a forlorn sigh. They'd been having such a great time together and she didn't want a break from it, even knowing that this meeting was their main reason for coming to Topeka in the first place.

Staring at the floor, she smoothed the skirt of the blue cotton dress she'd changed into and wondered what kind of distraction she could cook up for herself over the next few hours.

I wonder if Mr. Bellum got off okay? She suddenly remembered their fellow passenger. He'd said he'd be heading out after a good night's rest the last time they'd seen him. But he'd looked so sore...surely he'd allow himself a little extra time. Stagecoach rides were no picnics after all!

Turning abruptly, she walked down the hall and knocked, "Mr. Bellum? It's Kitty Russell. From the stagecoach, remember?"

"Well, of course, I do!" His radiant smile shone down on her in a moment, giving her the same awkward feeling she'd felt when they'd found him, "And it's Ad to you, remember?" He stepped back, "Won't you come in?"

"No, I don't think so." she shook her head, giving him a small polite smile, "I just wanted to see if you'd headed out or not. I'm glad you're well and I wish you a lot of luck."

"Oh, please come in for just a minute." he coaxed, "I got ya something today—to thank you for your kindness."

"Oh, but you didn't—" Her eyes widened.

"Please, Kitty?" he grinned brilliantly again, "I-I think it'll be nice for the Marshal too."

That piqued her curiosity and also an innate desire to please her sweet beau.

"Well...alright." She stepped through the door.

Bellum closed it behind her and went to rifle through the top drawer of the small dresser.

"I put it back here so not even the maid would find it." He grinned again as he produced a little wooden box.

"Ad!" she gasped as she lifted the lid, aghast at the sight of an enormous diamond brooch, "I couldn't wear this! Imagine what people would say!"

"Oh, but you've got to Kitty." he answered, "I bought it for you. It's just the kind of thanks you can expect from a man like me."

"What?" She was baffled.

"The Bellum family has done pretty well for themselves." he shrugged, still grinning, "Back east. I'm just out here to see the sights. Headed for California next."

He was suddenly behind her, reaching over her shoulder to pin it on her dress. His hand lingered against the cotton material as it traveled down to her waist, "Besides, I want you to show it off when we get to San Francisco."

Kitty's eyes widened as cold steel suddenly touched her ribs. Her body went rigid, heartbeat quickening; the little wooden box tumbled to the floor.

"What are you doing?" she hissed.

"Don't try to kid me anymore, sweetheart." Bellum's voice was smooth as silk. His hand brushed her cheekbone, "I saw how you looked at me on that stage. That's why you came here now, isn't it? The Marshal's gone. It was your chance to come to me."

"You're insane!" she snapped, bristling as she sprang for the door.

"You're going to San Francisco with me, Kitty." he grabbed her arm before she was out of reach and leveled his gun, "We're leaving right now."

Her eyes were as big as saucers as the realization sank in that there was nothing she could do. Focusing on the gun, instead of her captor's face, she thought she'd actually prefer death to going with this man. She could still feel the place where his hands had touched her face and the dirtiness of it made her want to gag.

"Alright." She whispered, swallowing hard. "I-I'll go with you, Ad."

"That's better." His brilliant smile seemed sinister as he stooped to pull a large sack out of his luggage, "I knew you would. I could see it in your eyes the minute I met you. You're a strong beautiful woman, Kitty, and you'll make me a strong beautiful wife." His grasp on her arm almost cut off circulation, "Let's go to the stable and get out of this little ole cow town."

Kitty gritted her teeth to keep the tears at bay as he forced her down the hall, trying to block out all thoughts except reuniting with Matt once he caught up with them.

As they passed the room she shared with the Marshal, she almost wished that she could change clothes. This old cotton dress was no riding habit and she had a strong feeling that Bellum wasn't going to rent a buggy or covered wagon. But the idea of him knowing that she was changing clothes, even with the door locked, made her quiver with fear and she didn't even slow her step.

"I want two horses—big strong ones who can go hard for a long time." Bellum spoke gruffly to the stable manager, as Kitty tried to look inconspicuous at the entrance. She noticed the mare that Matt had driven during their morning buggy ride was peacefully munching grain and yearned to go back in time. Just hours ago, everything had been perfect!

"Now, let's go see the Pacific, sweetheart." Bellum's silky tone was loud enough for others to hear. She visibly trembled as she pulled herself into the saddle, seeing the smiles all around. The stablehands seemed to think they were sending off the bride and groom. If only she dared cry out!

Riding next to him down the busy street she made a conscious effort to stick close to his gun holster, wondering if she could actually pull it and shoot herself before he reacted if things came to that.

"How's your head?" She forced herself to talk to him, wondering if she could distract him.

"Oh, it's just fine, honey." he flashed his radiant grin again, "It's just fine."

"Now, get going." he continued, suddenly dropping behind her at the city limits to give her gelding a sound crack on the butt with his reins, "I wanna ride fast."

I'll bet you do, she thought darkly, concentrating on riding as her enormous gelding surged toward the open prairie. When Matt catches up with us, he's gonna slit your throat.

Regaining some control, her arms began to ache as she trotted beside her captor in silence and the miles ticked by. Her horse was almost too strong for her but Bellum wouldn't allow them to slow down. Kitty began to wonder how she'd ever get his gun now. Her horse's gait felt like a hammer pounding a nail!

What if I can't get it? She wondered frantically. Does he have a knife in his boot? Could she get it when they stopped for the night? Would they stop for the night?

Neither of them had a bedroll. Would he make her share his body heat? That idea made her want to gag again. She glanced up at the sun. It was definitely heading towards the horizon but she judged dusk was still several hours distant.

"My horse needs a drink." She spoke for the first time since leaving the Capitol, hoping to slow them down. Matt had to be back from his meeting by now.

"I bet you do too." He sneered in reply.

"It wouldn't hurt." she cut him a look, "Your horse would like one too, I'll bet. We've been riding hard since we left."

"I knew you were smart when I met you." he reaffirmed, turning a leering smile on her as he took in her figure, "There's a creek up a little ways, if I reckon correctly. We can water 'em there then get some more miles in before dark."

"Why didn't you take the train?" She finally asked the question that had needled her mind since they left the stable.

"Oh, we'll travel in luxury soon enough, sweetheart. There are plenty of depots between here and the west coast." His sinister smile shown down on her again, "I just wanna have you to myself for a little while, with no prying eyes anywhere. I've been sleeping alone for too long."

Maybe, she thought, as she tried to hide the sudden tears spilling down her cheeks, it would have been better to just let Matt find her dead at the hotel.