Chapter 21

Cheyenne, Wyoming 1867

The saloon's air reeked of unwashed bodies and stale whiskey on the blustery Saturday night. The usually jovial melodies of the upright piano were muted beneath the oppressive chill that had seeped into the town's very bones. Lochlan searched frantically for his missing sister, his frustration etched into his features.

"Jasper!" He barked hoarsely over the din, flagging down the burly bartender.

"Boss?" Jasper replied, already bracing himself.

"Have you seen my sister this evening?" Lochlan demanded, his voice echoing through the saloon.

Shaking his head with a concerned frown, Jasper's wordless response stoked the steadily smoldering unease in the pit of Lochlan's stomach. Scouring the saloon once more, he threw his towel on the bar and removed his apron.

"Mind the bar," he growled at Jasper, gesturing at the overflowing crowd.

Lochlan enlisted Carson's help to find his sister, relying on his intimate knowledge of the unforgiving landscape. They rode through the frozen streets of their ramshackle town and searched every unoccupied tent in the nearby railroad encampment, but found no trace of her.

But then, as they rode on, Jasper spotted a glint of metal in the moonlight - a lone horse standing nervously tethered to a barren oak tree. Hearts racing, they reined in their mounts and scoured the wooded creek bank until they heard faint feminine laughter coming from a small cavern hidden behind a tangle of thorny branches.

Pushing through the thicket they came upon an idyllic scene - Róisín nestled in the arms of a man beside a flickering fire. But Lochlan's relief quickly turned to blinding rage at seeing her with strange man.

"Get your hands off my sister, you bastard!" He roared, his revolver leveled at the stranger's chest.

The peacefulness and laughter in Róisín's eyes dimmed as she turned to see her brother framed in the cavern entrance - his face twisted into a mask of towering fury. Before she could react, Lochlan lunged forward and punched Buck, square in the cheek with a sickening crack that echoed through the cavern. The peaceful scene shattered as Róisín's horrified eyes met her brother's blazing with hatred.

As Buck stood up, his muscles tensed and a snarl twisted his features. He reached for the gun at his waist as his fingers coiled around the handle Carson stepped in front of him with his own weapon drawn. Buck's eyes flickered to Róisín, who was crying and pleading for them to stop. Carson quickly swung his gun, striking Buck in the temple. The impact sent a jolt of pain through Buck's skull, and he stumbled to the ground, stunned.

His gun trained on Buck, Carson barked, "Odds ain't in your favor, breed."

Róisín, tears streaming down her face, threw herself between Buck and Carson. "Please, don't hurt him!" She pleaded, her voice trembling.

Lochlan, a dangerous glint in his eyes, ignored her pleas. He grabbed Róisín and pulled her close, using her as a shield. "Put your gun down, Cross," he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You wouldn't want my sister caught in the crossfire, now would you?"

With a loud clatter, Buck's trembling hand released the gun and it hit the floor. A sharp tug on his hair yanked him upright, causing a burst of stars to explode behind his closed eyelids. With a guttural groan, he tasted blood in his mouth. Suddenly, he was thrown back down, his body landing with a thud. Each gasping breath sent a jolt of agony through his bruised and battered form. His left eye was already swollen shut, blood trickled from his nose, and a stabbing ache radiated from his ribs with every intake of air.

"You know what the trouble is with you half-breeds?" Carson spat, pacing like a caged animal. "The full-bloods, they know their place. But you… you got some book learning, a taste of living with us, you think you are entitled to our way of life."

Buck tried to push himself up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him, forcing him back down. Róisín's screams pierced through Carson's tirade and echoed faintly in his ears. He clenched his jaw, willing himself to stay conscious. He had to protect her.

"Entitled to our women." Carson continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "A dirty savage like you? You'll learn your place tonight."