The Stolen 12

I don't own these characters; I just like to spend time with them. No other profit to be had.

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Thursday Evening

Matt kept a tight grip on Kitty's arm as she made a show of struggling against him, demanding to be let go and refusing to cooperate.

Matt ignored her protests and continued into the shack, pushing her through the door in front of him. Just before he shut the door, Manley stuck his foot in it. "5 minutes is all ya got," he said.

Matt shoved the man back and closed the door on him, without a reply.

Once the door was closed tight, he turned back to Kitty and took her securely in his arms, seeking her mouth with his own, as much to reassure himself as Kitty. When their lips parted he cast worried eyes on her. "You alright?" he whispered. "I mean they didn't…." he couldn't finish the sentence.

To his relief Kitty shook her head. "No, Matt," she breathed. "I'm fine."

Matt kissed her again, before pulling her back tightly against him. "I thought my heart would stop when I saw you out there. How did you get here?"

"They kidnapped me." She answered before his question struck her. "Do you mean you didn't know I was here?" she asked.

Matt shook his head. "No, me and Tom were sent in here undercover to stop Manley. I didn't know you were here till a few minutes ago."

Matt felt her shiver in his arms and he pushed her back a little to look her in the eyes. "Kitty, are you sure you're alright?"

Kitty nodded and smiled bravely. "I am now," she answered.

Matt studied her face for a moment then pulled her back into him, unwilling to release his hold on her just yet. "We've got to get you out of here." He said.

Kitty shook her head. "It won't be easy, Matt. This is a heavily armed camp. Besides he knows who I am to you."

Matt was startled at the news. "How?"

"I'm not sure," she answered, "but he knows, he told me so. Matt you've got to be careful. He may not know who you are, but he's no fool. He'll be expecting something and he'll be ready."

Matt shook his head. "He won't find out who I am. Our cover's good. But I still need to get you out of here."

"You have a plan?" she asked hopefully.

"Yeah, well, we did till I found out you were here. Now I'm gonna have to revise it a little. But don't worry; I will get you out of here. Trust me on this, okay?"

Kitty nodded. "I've always trusted you" she whispered as she reached up for another kiss.

Matt could hear Manley at the door and knew the time was almost up. Pushing her back from him he took one more hard look at her. "I'll figure this out, honey. Don't worry. Just follow my lead."

Kitty nodded, shuddering involuntarily, as the door opened. Matt pulled her back to him taking one last opportunity for a kiss. Kitty started to fight, trying to push him away.

"Leave me alone," she said in mock anger.

Matt grinned but ignored her, continuing his aggression until he heard Manley behind him. "Time's up," he said.

Matt pushed Kitty back and turned to Manley without releasing his grip of her.

"Well," Manley asked, "she worth it?"

Matt leered at her then turned back to Manley and grinned. "I'll have to ride back to Hays and get the money, but I'd say she'll be well worth it."

Kitty remained quiet, but pretended to continue her struggle to be free of him.

Manley stepped forward and pulled Kitty free of Matt's grasp and shoved her towards the door where two men waited. "Take her back," he ordered.

With a fleeting and heartbreaking look at Matt, Kitty allowed them to pull her from the shack and take her back to the other women.

Matt showed no outward emotion at her leaving, but inside a small part of him broke, so badly did he want right then to kill Manley and his men.

Manley turned back to Matt. "Sorry Mister. I cain't let you leave til the auction's over tomorrow night. Now if you ain't got the money for her…"

Tom stepped forward. "I'll be staying here," he said, "Me and Mike's been partners for a long time."

"That's right," Matt said. "I wouldn't leave him here if I figured on doing anything contrary. Besides, you said you want a good price for her. I promise you I can get that for you."

"You either got the money or you don't," Manley sneered, "but you ain't leavin' here till tomorrow night"

It took every bit of self control Matt possessed to keep his hands at his sides and his voice even. "Alright," he said. "I'll stay. I may not be able to buy as many as I thought but I'm buying that one you can bet on it."

Manley shrugged without reply as he watched Matt exit the shack with Tom behind him.

Both men kept quiet till they were sure they were out of earshot. "Matt, what are you planning?" Tom asked. "Our orders were…."

"I know very well what our orders are," Matt interrupted, "but her being here changes things."

"But we still ain't even found out who our contact is," Tom tried again.

"I don't care," Matt said vehemently. "I can't…I won't let them sell her."

"She's yours ain't she?" Tom asked as clarity hit him.

Matt looked at Tom without replying, but Tom could see the truth in his face. "I'm not letting them sell her. Orders or no orders."

Tom saw the determination in his friend's eyes and knew the dye had been cast. "Alright, Matt. We do it your way."

TBC