Lyon’s Roar
M’Cord sucked in his breath and exhaled hard. The action did
nothing to loosen the tightness of his chest. Rage coiled in his
gut as he opened the cantina’s door. Duone and his two buddies had
broken into his home and tried to ... he would go ballistic if he
dwelled on what could have happened.
"Riley?" M’Cord’s greeting was more of a growl.
"M’Cord?" Caution tempered the man’s address.
"Where is he? And his pals?"
Riley tilted his head toward the threesome at the other end of the
bar. "Mel said they’ve been tossing back pitchers for hours."
M’Cord spared a glance for the older man before focusing on the
unholy trio. "They would have better spent the time putting
distance between them and Far-reaches. You might want to clear the
place."
"Remember there are three of them."
"They are only human." M’Cord assured him.
"What did the medic say about Rory?"
"She had bumps and bruises and she’s in shock." M’Cord’s hands
curled into fists as he fought the need for violence. He had no
intention of wasting his energy on the peace-keeper.
"Then she will live." Riley pointedly reminded his friend.
"Because of that, they might live." M’Cord twisted his neck and
rolled his shoulders as he opened all of his senses to his
surroundings. Stale alcohol and sweaty bodies did little to mask
the odor of dried blood.
"You should be with her."
"As soon as I finish my business here." Guilt weighted down his
shoulders. Yes, he should be with Rory. He had failed to protect
her, he would not fail to avenge her.
He focused on the blood as he began to cross the crowded saloon.
Ignoring a shout of welcome from a far corner, M’Cord shoved an
empty chair out of his way. He had his target. "Hey, Duone. What
happened to your leg? I heard a woman tried to pare the fruit of
your loins."
A catcall sounded from a back table. "I heard she hit leg because
his fruit has withered on the vine."
Anger lit the black eyes of the plump man holding court as he
tilted his head at M’Cord’s approach. Belligerence fueled the
man’s courage. "The little bitch brought us home for a quick
tumble and then wanted her money up front. Got a bit pissed when I
informed her that Duone don’t pay for no bitch."
M’Cord could barely see through the haze of fury. He set his feet,
readying to spring. Heat blazed across his face. The bastards
were not going to get another opportunity to hurt his wife or
anyone else. He was going to kill them.
"Oh, you are going to pay for this one."
"I don’t pay no pimps neither." Duone stood so fast his stool hit
the floor as he brandished his switchblade. His buddies were
equally armed.
"First, it will cost you your lying tongue. After that, then we’ll
negotiate the price of attacking another man’s wife."
