Breath of the Feathered Serpent by Pelaam Read Free Book Online Page A

as the type to be interested in Carter,” Madison murmured.
    Sam shrugged. “Well, it’s too soon after her pa’s death for Miss Ellen to even consider courtin’ anyway. But Mr. Carter is the only man in these here parts that could keep that young woman in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to. Right then, are you back here tonight?”
    “Well, that depends on whether we get work or not. Wish us luck,” Madison said and laughed.
    Sam joined in. “Not so lucky for me if I lose two guests, but good luck anyway, boys.”
    Adam sauntered toward the saloon doors and called back over his shoulder to Madison. “Guess it’s time to see if we can get work at one of the ranches.”
    “Yep. The Lazy E seems a good bet,” Madison replied and waved to Sam.
    Adam ambled out of the saloon with Madison at his side. They headed across the street toward the livery stables. As they did, a loud, drawling voice caught Adam’s attention.
    “Well, well, well, look at this, boys. We got us some strangers in town.”
    He and Madison turned to see four men. One stood in the foreground, presumably the speaker, and the other three lounged around a post on the street corner. Adam assessed them quickly. Hired thugs. Each one uglier than the last. The type that made their money doing the bidding of those too wealthy to get their hands dirty. This meant Carter was probably involved, although Adam didn’t know why the man was so keen to get rid of them.
    “Morning,” Madison said with a wave of his hand. He kept both hands well away from his guns. “Morning, ma’am.” He sketched and elaborate bow to a woman on the other side of the street, catching her attention and causing her to stop.
    Adam smirked, his face hidden by the angle of his hat. It was always useful to draw in witnesses if they wanted to avoid trouble.
    “What are you doing in our town?” The ringleader took a step forward. He was big and bulky. Doubtless he was used to intimidating people with his size.
    “Just leaving,” Madison called out. “If you boys will let us, that is. We don’t want any trouble in such a nice little town.”
    The ringleader took another step forward. “We don’t like strangers.”
    “And we don’t like trouble. As I said, we just want to get our horses and leave. You’re the ones trying to stop us.” Madison repeated himself and bowed again to the lady across the road. She’d been joined by another woman and a couple of men. They murmured and pointed, watching the scene unfolding before them.
    The ringleader stopped, his ugly face twisted into surprise, and Adam’s smirk grew wider. Madison’s build made everyone think he was naturally quiet-spoken, as he’d been so far. So to hear his voice boom like thunder, catching the attention of several more passers-by, caught the gang off guard.
    Adam eased into a fighting stance as the gang members looked at one another nervously, and the ringleader took a few more steps forward. Despite his uncertainty, he’d obviously been paid to make sure a fight ensued. Well so long as it’s a fist fight, that’s just fine by me. There are plenty of witnesses to say we were goaded into it.
    “Please, boys,” Madison said, lifting his hands in supplication. “Just let us get our horses and go. These fine townsfolk don’t want to see a fight, and my cousin and I don’t want to be in one. Don’t force us to defend ourselves.”
    The ringleader threw a punch at Madison in response. It would have put the smaller man down heavily, except it never landed. Adam watched long enough to see Madison twist and kick. The sole of his foot connected solidly with his attacker’s midriff and knocked him to the ground.
    The other three attacked, but Adam was ready. It was no surprise that two came for him. He was taller and broader than Madison, and even though his partner had taken down the ringleader, the two men heading for him still saw Adam as the bigger threat.
    One threw a roundhouse punch. Adam dodged the