Chapter 25

Rock Creek, Nebraska 1872

Lara burst into the small jailhouse, Joaquin's name on her lips. She rushed past Kid's desk toward the cell where Joaquin Vasquez was locked up, the town's excitement over the capture of the supposed murderer and fugitive still ringing in her ears.

"Well now, I guess you two do know each other after all," Kid remarked, raising an eyebrow as Lara approached.

"Lara," Joaquin greeted her cautiously, pulling her close while careful to avoid the cold metal bars crushing her.

Lara turned to the marshal, her eyes brimming with tears. "Marshal, I know you don't believe me, but he's innocent."

Kid held up the wanted poster, his expression grave. "Says here he murdered Laralie Alba."

"No, no," Lara's voice wavered with distress.

"If Laralie Alba is dead, then who are you?" Kid questioned, his tone firm.

"She was my mother's sister. I'm Laralie Alba Monroe," she confessed.

Kid's frown deepened with suspicion. "Monroe?"

Lara explained, her breaths coming in rapid succession. "You know why I don't use my father's name, but my family's name instead. But I swear to you, Marshal, Joaquin didn't kill my Aunt. My—"

"Lara!" Joaquin's voice cut through her plea. "Cállate, no puedes decirles."

Kid's demeanor shifted to one of concern as he placed a reassuring hand on Lara's arm. "If you two know something, I can help you. If you trust me."

Lara's heart pounded in her chest as she stood between Joaquin and the stern gaze of Marshal McCloud. The truth pressed against her lips, demanding to be released, but fear of the consequences held her back.

"Please, Marshal," Lara pleaded, her voice trembling. "Joaquin didn't kill my aunt. He's innocent."

"Laralie, por favor," Joaquin pleaded. "No le diga."

"Joaquin, I can't let you—" Lara began, her voice full of anguish.

"Estoy cansado de correr," Joaquin confessed, a sad smile crossing his face as he reached out to twirl a stray piece of hair tumbling down her shoulder. "It is for the best."

"No, I will not let you die for what he did." Lara's sobs wracked her body, but his words silenced her tongue.

'I'm weary of running'

His words pierced her heart. She was tired too, but it was the soul-shattering truth and the sudden understanding that she was indeed not in control of anything, despite the illusion she had crafted over the years, that truly shook her.

The painful truth settled over Lara. Not everyone would survive this. Someone had to pay. For years, the threat to wipe out everyone she loved, including her own life, had kept her in line. She had bought time with lies, lies that allowed her father to murder thousands of innocent people. The silent realization now deafened her.

Lara's gaze darted between Joaquin and Kid, her mind racing. The weight of her decisions, the lives at stake, pressed down on her. She had spent so long running, hiding, and lying that the truth felt foreign on her tongue. But as she stood there, in that small jailhouse, she realized that the time for hiding was over.

"Marshal," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "there's something you need to know. About my father, about what really happened to my aunt."