Loyalty Divided

Chapter Forty Eight

Evangeline's heart pounded in her chest, the peacefulness of their ride shattered in an instant. Her mind raced with fear and anger. Why now? Why, when she was just beginning to feel something close to peace?

Arthur's eyes narrowed, his hand moving instinctively to his revolver. Evangeline's breath quickened as she realized she had no weapon to defend herself. She felt a surge of helplessness but quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the situation at hand.

As the bounty hunters emerged from the trees, their faces grim and determined, she couldn't believe this was happening again. The shadows of their past always seemed to catch up with them.

"Stay close to me, Eva," Arthur muttered, his voice low and tense.

The bounty hunters spread out, surrounding them. Evangeline's thoughts raced, every muscle in her body tensing as she prepared for the inevitable. She glanced at Arthur, the man who had been both her past and her unresolved future. Despite everything, she felt a surge of determination. She wouldn't let them take him without a fight.

The leader of the bounty hunters stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "Arthur Morgan, you're coming with us. Make it easy on yourself."

Arthur's grip on his revolver tightened. "And if I don't?"

The leader smirked, signaling to his men. "Then we'll take you by force."

Evangeline felt a wave of fear wash over her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She had to trust Arthur, had to believe they could get through this. The bounty hunters moved closer, and Evangeline's heart raced.

Suddenly, the leader lunged at Arthur, and chaos erupted. Arthur fired his revolver, the shot echoing through the woods and sending birds flapping into the sky. Evangeline's horse reared in fright, its eyes wide with panic. She tried to hold on, but the sudden movement was too much. The horse bucked violently, and Evangeline was thrown from the saddle.

She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath out of her. For a moment, she lay there, the world spinning around her in a dizzying blur. The sounds of the fight seemed distant and muffled, as if she were underwater. She could hear the frantic whinnying of her horse, the shouts of the bounty hunters, and the sharp retort of gunfire, but it all felt unreal, like a dream she couldn't wake up from.

Pain radiated through her body, her back and ribs aching from the fall. She struggled to draw a breath, her lungs burning as she tried to push herself up. The ground beneath her hands felt cold and unforgiving, a stark contrast to the warmth of Arthur's presence beside her moments ago.

Arthur's voice cut through the haze, filled with urgency and fear. "Eva! Eva, can you hear me?"

She tried to respond, but her voice was just a croak. She blinked, trying to clear her vision, and saw Arthur firing his revolver with precision, holding the bounty hunters at bay. His face was a mask of determination and fury, his blue eyes blazing with intensity.

One of the bounty hunters closed in on him, and Arthur swung his arm, the butt of his revolver connecting with the man's jaw with a sickening thud. The man crumpled to the ground, but more were coming. Arthur's movements were a blur, each action a testament to his experience and desperation to protect her.

Evangeline finally managed to sit up, wincing at the pain in her side. She looked around, trying to get her bearings. Her horse had bolted, disappearing into the trees. The bounty hunters were converging on Arthur, and she knew he couldn't hold them off much longer.

"Arthur, behind you!" she shouted, her voice finally finding strength. But it was too late. Two men tackled Arthur from behind, bringing him down. He struggled fiercely, but they were relentless, their numbers overwhelming him.