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The Treasure Page 21


  “I can’t promise you that, kid.”

  The boy turned and took a few steps away. For a moment, Tyler thought he was going to keep walking.

  “Your horse is over by the trees, saddled and ready. There’s some food, and you can have this water.” He dropped the skin to the dusty ground by Tyler’s feet.

  The moonlight burst through the cloud as the boy stepped next to him. Tyler was completely captured by the young, agonized face illuminated by the moon. He would recognize it anywhere. The faded tintype he’d studied for the past three months didn’t do her justice. She was dressed as a man, with dirty cheeks and shapeless clothes, but it couldn’t hide her. It was Nicky. He leaned toward her to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating, but she stepped back quickly. The moonlight glinted off the knife, a well-used looking instrument, which sat comfortably in her hand. It had a beautiful pearl handle with intricate detailing. He wondered where she’d stolen it from.

  “Nicole.”

  Her eyes widened. “Don’t come looking for me.”

  “You know I will.”

  “You won’t find me, bounty hunter.”

  “Yeah, that’s what they all say.”

  His breath caught in his throat as the knife glided toward him. She turned to cut the leather strap binding Tyler’s right wrist. “You’ll have to free the other hand yourself.”

  “Why are you letting me go?” He was completely flummoxed by her act of kindness.

  “Human beings should never be bound, mister, pure and simple. I don’t want to see you die like a dog, even if you are a mangy bounty hunter.”

  Before he realized what she was doing, she grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him hard. He tried to grab her, but all he caught was air. She moved quickly, like a shadow in darkness. She touched her fingers to her lips, then turned and disappeared into the darkness.

  The woman outlaw he’d chased for three months had just kissed him, then saved his life. She knew he was going to continue to chase her until he caught her, yet she let him live.

  What the hell?

  Tyler stared after her for several minutes, before he shook himself mentally. He had to get his wrist untied and get his ass out of there as quickly as he could.

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