Chapter 31
They rode in silence for some time. She was still working to process everything that had happened, along with the knowledge that she had taken two lives.
It had all been a blur starting out, but as her adrenaline started to drop, the heavy weight of the crimes she had committed started to weigh on Veronica’s mind.
Once the man in charge returned and saw she had murdered two of his men, she knew there would be some form of retaliation.
Veronica was happy she hadn’t given the guy any details about who she was during her short incarceration with the group.
When they moved on to the next city, she was going to have to change her tactic for approaching whoever was in charge.
Veronica knew she wouldn’t be any good to anyone dead.
The last city had proven a gamble, one she had barely escaped with her life.
She wouldn’t put herself in that sort of position a second time.
Despite being worried about being followed, she still wasn’t nearly as nervous as her brother appeared.
Every few minutes, Nick would turn in his saddle to see if there were any signs of having a tail.
It didn’t appear as though the militia running the city had horses.
That detail alone gave the homesteaders an advantage over the group.
Now it was simply a matter of protecting what was theirs and not leading any danger directly back to the mountain village.
“I notice that you keep looking back and trying to see if anyone is following us,” Veronica said.
Corner sighed. “After everything that happened back there, I just want to make sure there’s no one behind us.”
“We have been very careful to cover our tracks. I don’t think you need to worry about it as much as you are right now.”
“Maybe not, but I know when we were leaving after setting that fire, there were at least two men who spotted me. I know if I saw somebody running from a fire at the homestead, I would likely chase them down. The other thing I’m kind of worried about is the fact that one of the men looked extremely familiar. ”
“Even if one of them recognized you, I doubt they are going to remember where you are from.”
“I’m more worried that if he does, then he’s going to tell Markwood about the homestead and the village. I don’t want to be the reason anything happens to anyone back home.”
“Damn. I didn’t really think about it like that, but we don’t have time to worry about it right this second.
We’re just going to have to hope for the best until we get back home, and then we’ll figure everything out.
I’m really hoping that after this, the villagers decide to take us more seriously about the threat of the people out here. ”
“They should have been taking it seriously from the beginning, but after everything I just saw, I certainly hope they start to now.”
Veronica could see her brother was still shaken.
He was in no position to be dealing with a horde of people asking him questions.
She had no intention of going through their hometown from the moment they had left the city.
Getting back to the homestead was their main priority.
When they reached the top of the road, she quickly took the lead and guided her horse down a trail that would circumvent the community.
Despite hearing the others grumbling behind her, Veronica didn’t turn back.
It wasn’t until there was a little distance between herself and the other riders that she heard one of them trotting to catch up with her on the trail.
Nick cleared his throat, his horse moving flush with hers.
Whatever he had to say, he was struggling with it, but Veronica was in no mood to play any guessing games.
It had been a harrowing morning, one without success.
Now, to make things worse, she carried with her the guilt of knowing that an entire city’s population was being held captive by the man she’d met not long ago.
Rage surged through her. They had to protect their own, yes, but she wanted to liberate the others as well. What the man was doing wasn’t right.
“I think the best thing we can do is warn the villagers as soon as possible. They need to know what is likely coming our way.”
Veronica nodded. “In due time, we’ll let them know everything we found. You have to remember it’s going to take Markwood a little time to get his men together. That’s going to give us plenty of time to get to the homestead first and let our parents know what is going on.”
“Do you think that’s the best idea? I feel like it would make more sense to warn everyone that the possibility of Markwood and his men coming is a likely scenario.”
“Mom and Dad are very well respected in the community. It’s more likely that the community is going to listen to what they have to say over what you and I say any day of the week.”
Nick nodded. “I suppose you’re right about that. I still think they should all be listening to you, to begin with, but our parents are going to make a bigger impact if we can get them on our side.”
“As soon as Mom and Dad understand the danger we could be in, their support is going to help make the villagers understand we are all in danger.”
“That’s why I like talking things out with you. Between the two of us, we come up with some pretty good ideas. Getting our parents on board first is definitely going to be our best chance of making the village understand what is happening.”
She was surprised her brother was being so agreeable when it came to her being in control.
It was a liberating feeling, to say the least. Still, she knew it wouldn’t be as easy to convince the others she knew what was best for them.
Having Luka and her mother there backing them up would speak wonders.
As her brother fell behind the rest of the group, Veronica heard one of the others riding in her direction.
They seemed determined to have an opinion about everything.
All she wanted to do was get back to the homestead, warn the others, and make sure Bella was okay.
Since taking on a leadership role with the young girl, Veronica found she had so much more to fight and live for.
It was the first thought that jumped into her mind when she realized the situation back in the city.
It was kill or be killed. When the rider was flush with her, Veronica glanced over and grinned.
It was Darrell. There was no question he was an attractive guy with rugged good looks.
His beard was dappled with curly gray hairs, though he couldn’t have been older than thirty.
“I have to tell you, Nick,” Darrell said. “You had mentioned quite a few times that you had a sister, but I don’t think one of those conversations ever ended with you telling me she was a drop-dead gorgeous badass of a woman. She really has her shit together.”
Veronica chuckled. “I don’t think I would say I’m much of a badass. The only thing I care about is keeping my people safe and sound. On top of that, I just want to make sure we all survive until things get back to some kind of normal.”
“Well, I’m not really sure what your definition of being a tough woman in this world is, but everything you just said is the definition in my book.”
“You better be careful with talk like that. If you say anything like that around my mom, she’s not going to look at you like anything more than another sinner in her house. Our family is extremely religious, and she’s not going to appreciate talk like that.”
Darrell laughed. “I know all about Mauve. If there’s anything I can handle, it’s a woman like her. I will be nothing less than a charmer around her. It’s always worked out for the best when I put myself in situations like that.”
Rolling her eyes, she tried to fight the blush jumping to her cheeks.
The man was truly something else, but she believed everything he was telling her.
He was beyond charming, a skill she had no doubt he used on every woman who crossed his path.
Still, he’d saved her life and likely her brother’s as well.
As long as the pair requested shelter at their homestead, Veronica would be happy to provide it.