Sam’s Creed Read Online Free PDF Page B

bargaining chip.”
    Isabella gasped. A sly glint came into the bandit’s gaze. “Tejala would pay much for her.” He hitched his weight up higher against the wall. “I could bring you to him. We could share the profits.”
    “I don’t share.”
    “You will need me to find him.”
    Sam caught Isabella’s hand, keeping her from getting any further out from his side. “Or I could just plant my feet somewhere and give a shout as to what I’ve got.”
    He ignored Isabella’s “Bastard.”
    “What do you think of that?”
    The bandit spat again. He wiped his chin on his shoulder. “I think that you are a dead man.”
    Sam straightened. “I think you’re right. Which means I’ve got nothing to lose.”
    Curtains were fluttering like crazy down the street. The town’s residents were getting nervous. Nervous people made him anxious. Isabella tugged on his hand. He looked down.
    “If you let me go,” she said, in a voice that shook, “No one will chase you.”
    “Now where would the fun be in that?”
    “You don’t want me.”
    She had to be shitting him. The woman was a curvy little keg of dynamite that had a man thinking about making her explode with his first look. “Darling, there isn’t a man alive that wouldn’t want you.”
    He didn’t like the assessing look in her eyes as she cocked her head to the side and placed her hands on her hips. “You also?”
    “Sure. I’m as red-blooded as the next man.”
    “Good.” The too-big hat fell over her face. She pushed it back with an impatient hand. “Then I will hire you.”
    “I’m a ranger. I’m not for hire.”
    She didn’t bat an eye. “Then you can hire me.”
    “For what?”
    “You’re a ranger in Tejala territory who’s going to have bandidos on his trail in a very short time. You’re going to need a guide if you plan on surviving.”
    He pushed his hat back with the back of his hand. “I suppose you’re offering your services?”
    “Yes.”
    “You got any references?”
    She waved at the nearly unconscious bandit at their feet. “I have been evading men such as he for the last six months. That must mean something.”
    What it meant was she’d been running scared longer than any woman should have to. “Well, I might be impressed if you could prove it was true.”
    That chin came up. The hat came down. She rounded on the bandit. “You will tell him it is true.”
    The man shook his head. Isabella kicked his calf, then his thigh. Sam figured the family jewels were next. The man grabbed her boot. “I’m not telling him shit.”
    Kell lunged in and snapped at his arm. Isabella stomped on his fingers as he jerked it back. “Tell him!”
    Sam chuckled as he pulled out a sulphur. They sure were a bloodthirsty pair.
    The bandit lurched to the side, cradling his arm. Isabella drew her foot back. Kell stalked forward. It was probably time to step in.
    “Hold up.”
    Bella whipped around. “Make him speak.”
    He quirked an eyebrow at her. “You don’t think you’ve tortured him enough?”
    “He must tell.”
    He put his hand on her shoulder, soothing the panic rippling through her in visible tremors. “Yeah, he must.”
    But not the way she thought.
    Grabbing the injured man by his shirt, Sam yanked him to his feet. “You’re going to carry a message to Tejala for me.”
    “What makes you so sure?”
    Stupidity ran deep in this bunch. “Because otherwise,” he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, “I’ll let those two have at you. Make a choice.”
    The bandit grunted. “What is this message?”
    “You tell Tejala that if he comes after Bella, he’s coming after Hell’s Eight.”
    The man shook his head. “He will not care. He is crazy that way.”
    “Funny,” Sam said. “So am I.”

3
    H e was crazy. Isabella watched as Sam rested his rifle against the cave wall and propped three sticks shoved through several cleaned fish beside it. A dark stain spread downward and outward from the bandanna tied around his