Brotherhood of Evil Read Online Free PDF Page B

danger came from the men behind the wagon, who were still stubbornly spraying bullets across the street.
    Smoke dropped to a knee behind a water trough. To his left, Matt had taken cover behind a rain barrel. Preacher had ducked into the alcove of a store’s entrance where he was still relatively exposed, but he pressed his whip-like thinness into a small angle, which gave him some protection.
    Luke was the only one still out in the open, and he was sliding sideways toward a parked buggy as the Remingtons in his hands spat fire and lead. Suddenly, he stumbled and went down.
    Fury filled Smoke at the thought that his older brother might be badly wounded, or even worse.
    They hadn’t pulled Luke out of that tight spot in Massacre Canyon only to have him gunned down in the crooked, narrow streets of Taos. Yelling, “Pour it on!” to Matt and Preacher, Smoke sprang up again and dashed toward Luke.
    As he approached, he saw Luke struggling to get up, which was a relief of sorts. At least he was still alive. Smoke holstered his guns and grabbed his brother under the arms from behind. As he started dragging him toward the buggy, Luke demanded, “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Hunt some cover, Smoke!”
    â€œNot without you,” Smoke grunted as he pulled Luke, a big, rangy man, and certainly no lightweight. Smoke’s broad shoulders and long arms held enormous strength. He heaved and backed up until both of them sprawled on the ground behind the buggy.
    It wasn’t the safest place in the world. The would-be killers could still fire through the gaps between the spokes of the buggy wheels. A slug kicked up dust only a couple feet from Smoke as he knelt next to Luke. “How bad are you hit?”
    â€œI’m not hit at all!” Luke answered surprisingly. “One of those guys shot one of my boot heels off!”
    That was even more of a relief. Smoke chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you’re not about to bleed to death. Since you can’t move very well while you’re missing a heel, stay here and help Matt and Preacher cover me. I’m going to cross the street so I can come at those varmints from a different direction.”
    â€œLet me take my other boot off and I can come with you. I can run in my sock feet.”
    â€œBe better if you can make those fellas keep their heads down for a few seconds,” Smoke told him. “Reload those Remingtons and let me know when you’re ready.”
    Luke looked like he wanted to argue, but he thumbed fresh cartridges into the two long-barreled revolvers, then gave Smoke a curt nod. “Go ahead. Matt and Preacher ought to pick up on what you’re trying to do.”
    â€œWe can hope so. Now!” Smoke dashed out from behind the buggy as Luke stood up and began emptying the Remingtons diagonally across the street toward the wagon where the ambushers lurked. Farther along the street, Matt and Preacher followed suit. Bullets chewed into the wagon’s frame and threw a shower of splinters into the air.
    Smoke was lucky. He didn’t step in any holes or slip in any horse manure as he sprinted across the street. When he reached the other side he drew his guns again and angled toward the wagon. The bombardment from Luke, Matt, and Preacher was coming to an end as their weapons began to run dry, but it had served its purpose. Smoke’s keen eyes could see the two bushwhackers as they crouched behind the wagon.
    They seemed to be aware of the deadly danger in which they suddenly found themselves. They let out alarmed yells as they whirled to face the charging Smoke. He dove forward to the ground as more Colt flame bloomed in the darkness ahead of him. Landing on his belly as bullets tore through the air a couple feet above him, he triggered both Colts.
    His shots possessed an uncanny, almost supernatural accuracy. One bushwhacker screamed, dropped his gun, and doubled over as two slugs punched into his