THE RUSTED BILLIONAIRE GUN

chapter 2

Aceline sat on the chair in the hidden room of his unknown helper, her heart raced and tears rolled from her eyes, Sadness settled in her soul. She had lost her whole family now, her mother first and now her father and brother. All killed by the same man.

She stood up as she heard the sound of horses leaving and started walking towards the ladder and pulled the door open, the door is obvious from inside.

She walked around the stable to avoid being seen by anyone, as she was about to get on her horse, she heard another horse coming and she reacted out of fear as she was running back to hide behind the barn she fell into a shallow hole and passed out.

Marcus didn't know her name but was screaming “Miss” at the top of his voice, he didn't know if she went away on foot or not, her horse is still tied or maybe one of Juan’s men has snuck in and abducted her, she doesn't look like she could defend herself that much, he felt he has failed her. But why is he this concerned? A girl he barely knows. Is love at first sight actually real?

He was thinking hard and could barely focus while he passed the hole he had dug earlier for disposing his dead livestocks then he heard a faint voice and went back there only to find her girl in-between dirt. He called out and saw she was fine then ran back to get a rope from the farmhouse. He helped her from the hole with the rope and carried her into the farmhouse. Her lips were so dry, he quietly left her alone after giving her some water, he was having wild thoughts already.

Aceline woke up to her body cleaned and almost naked under a thick shiny blanket, her clothes were hung near fire at the center of the dimly lit room. Her head felt light like it wasn't there, she stood up after several attempts to pick her clothes and wear them. Suddenly the door was open and standing upright at the door was the handsome man who had saved her life, she gasped and he turned almost immediately.

“I am sorry, I… should have knocked”

“ It is fine, I could have wrapped up my body with the blanket but I felt too lazy, Thanks for saving my life”

“Dinner is ready” he smiled and left the room.

Aceline was a bit upset but she couldn't fathom why, she thought about her dad and brother who were murdered and tears dropped from her eyes. She was so sad because she couldn't do anything. Her only option is surviving and avenging her family's death. She wore her clothes slowly and started walking towards the door.

She found him turning a big sized meat on fire in the opening. He seems a little lost in thought and she didn't want to startle him. She sat and watched for a while then spoke.

“How did you get the scar on your forearm?”

He looked at her and frown, he didn't know she was there

“How long have you been there? I was a little far off”

“I walked quietly I guess and I didn't want to get you startled by tapping you” she replied.

“Alright, I got the scar from a machete cut as a teen”

“I have been wondering, why did you agree to hide me in your barn and why are you all alone in the outskirts of the town?” she asked.

“I saved you because you needed help and I chose to be alone, I am on probation” he replied

Aceline sensed the questions had triggered him as his gaze is now so fixed on the meat like his life depends on it. He stood up and went to get a plate and served her.

“What a gentleman, she thought”

“Thank you” she said

What's your deal with Juan? A woman shouldn't be involved with those kinds of men, you know?”

He noticed her face darkened and wished he had not asked.

“I understand you may not want to talk about that” he said again

“It is Don Paulo, they killed my whole family and I won't rest until I do the same to every single one of them” her face is now lit with anger and hatred.

“I know it's none of my business but It's not advisable, Paulo is not someone you can beat that easily, I know you reek of anger but do not get yourself killed in that process” he tried to persuade her.

“Yes, it's none of your business”

He looked away and continued what he was doing.

“I'm sorry, I was a bit pissed off”

He paused and nodded affirmatively then looked away again.

Marcus was a bit taken back by her reaction and he realized he has to be careful with letting his opinions out around her.

“What is your next decision after all these die down, you have a family somewhere?” he asked

“Yes, my aunt, I am not sure she can still recognize me, I was a little girl when I last saw her”

“She will” he replied

Aceline lay on bare grass, her face tilted up, she remembered racing her brown horse across her Father's barn, her Father was the only county Judge and he was rich, Judge Magnus has been the only judge for years and he is pretty much incorruptible which landed him in Don Paulo foe list on the first place. Magnus had refused Don Paulo bribes and waved off his threats a lot of times and these men are always on bad terms. Magnus had reported to the Sheriff a lot of times but nothing can be done as Paulo has a lot of his superiors on Payroll, he rules the town.

There have always been rumors of a man who could look Paulo in the eyes a few years ago. This man is believed to be richer, more influential, physically stronger and a better shooter than Paulo. This man is believed to be somewhere in another town after he turned to drinking after hearing his wife and little son's death. His family from another town had come for him and his moveable property was taken along, his name is Crigger.

Paulo since then had procured his dominance in the county, no one dared look him in the eye or go against him. Some people believed Crigger family's death was Paulo's weak means of getting rid of him.

“You seem lost in thought” she heard Marcus say behind her, he was lying a few meters away from her, face tilted up too.

“You know what my grandpa used to say about Stars? He believed our future is written in the stars and sometimes we seem to find what's not missing, they are always right there in the stars” he sat up and made his way towards the farmhouse.

“You can take the bed, I will sleep on the couch, sleep early, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow” he looked at her again then walked hurriedly to the farmhouse.

Aceline was a bit dumbfounded as she had not mentioned leaving tomorrow to him and she couldn't get where she had vexed him and he was doing most of the talking, she clearly had no intentions of staying for long as she doesn't even know this man not to talk of trusting him, but why was he moody all of a sudden and wants her to leave tomorrow, maybe she should have told him she has no one to go to.

Marcus thought her presence is going to bring a lot of attention to his simple life, so her quick departure is going to be a good decision. He felt bad she had to go because he was just getting to know her and she is beautiful.

Aceline lay on the bed thinking about what next, she must find a way to sneak into town first, she must see the Mayor, her Father's close friend, she needs all the help she can get before starting her journey to Viva creeks, to her Aunt, it is a week Journey and she hopes not to meet the Apaches all through her journey to the creeks. After a lot of thinking she finally slept off. Marcus has decided to persuade her to stay the next morning but that's if she won't sneak out right before he wakes up.