India fought back the tears, the pleading words she wanted to say were clogged in her throat. She understood her husband’s need to finish it with his mother. But dear Lord, he could hardly stand and must be in unbearable pain. She wouldn’t stop worrying until he and his brothers returned. All she could do in the mean time is pray they would all return home safely.
“Damn it Dane are you crazy? You should be in bed.” Jesse growled when he saw Dane and Devon walked inside the barn.
Dane rested against the side of the barn as Devon quickly saddled his horse. “Don’t bother arguing. I’m coming and none of you are going to stop me.” He growled out and hoped he kept the pain out of his voice.
Jesse huffed a breath, with a shake of his head turned back, and finished saddling his horse.
With Devon and Jesse’s help Dane managed to sit on his horse, he fought the blackness off that tried to engulf him. Only the bitterness in his heart and the rage consuming him kept him from giving in to it and kept him in the saddle.
They slowly rode out of the barn. As they rode down the drive, everyone kept their gaze on Dane to make sure he wouldn’t fall off his horse.
Even though every time his horse’s hoofs hit the ground and sent shards of pain through him, Dane determinedly would not to give in to it. Nothing and no one would stop him from finishing this and finally making sure that their mother would never have another chance to ruin their lives.
With nothing to do, India could not stop herself from worrying. Chin Li and Tuff were keeping Mason and Tye occupied. Traye remained upstairs still recovering and she couldn’t even go up there to sit with him. She tossed her sewing on the cushion beside her in frustration.
She knew she should probably be in bed herself, her labor started hours ago. However, she refused to let anyone know. Now she wished she had said something, perhaps then Dane might not have gone. Well, it was too late now. She was about to try to stand up when a pain ripped through her stomach. Letting out a low groan she bent over and wrapped her arms around her enlarged stomach.
This one seemed far stronger than all the others she experienced earlier. Biting her bottom lip, she knew that she couldn’t put off telling Chin Li and Tuff any longer. She didn’t want to have her babies without Dane being at her side, but it seemed she might have to do it on her own after all.
When the pain eased, she drew in a long slow breath and lifted her head. There is no sense putting it off. She needed help getting upstairs. About to open her mouth, she snapped it shut when Tye raced in the room. “Tye will you fetch Chin Li and Tuff for me?”
Tye came in to see if India wanted a drink but at her request, he spun around and hurried back to the kitchen. “India wants to see yah both.”
Tuff looked with wide-eyed worry at Chin Li.
“Time Missy called. Come, we need to take her to bed.” Chin Li hurried from the room, he knew that Missy’s labor started hours ago but saw no harm in letting her sit in the parlor. Now though it is time to take her up to bed.
“Dear God don’t tell me she’s going to have the babies now?” Tuff whispered as he hurried beside Chin Li.
“Yes Missy have her babies, Dane's fool boy has gone so we must take care of her.” Chin Li answered as he stepped into the parlor and hurried to her side. “Missy ready for bed now?”
India gave a grimacing smile. “Yes I suppose I am.”
“Good, good now let us help you stand then we take you up to room.” Chin Li went to reach for her arm but stopped at her frightened question.
“It’s going to be all right isn’t Chin Li? You know the babies will be all right?” Suddenly without Dane at her side, India started to become frightened and needed reassurance.
Chin Li took her elbow and Tuff the other one and helped her to her feet. “Missy have no need worry, Chin Li look after both Missy and babies.”
FIFTY-FIVE
“How very touching.” Irene sneered as she pushed her two youngest sons inside the parlor. “So she’s about to whelp her brat is she?” She tossed her head and gave an evil chilling laugh. Just a short time ago, she watched all her sons ride out. All her plans lay in ruins and now all she wanted is at least to have some revenge.
“Oh dear God.” India whispered and grasped hold of Chin Li’s arms to keep herself standing.
Tuff reached out, pulled both Mason and Tye to him, and wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders. “Get out. Haven’t you done enough to these boys you cold evil bitch?”
“How dare you speak to me in such a way, you washed up old man. You and that damn Chinaman are partly to blame for everything.” Irene screamed back and waved the gun at them all.
“Go away. Go away you mean ugly woman.” Mason screamed at her.
Irene stepped forward and gave a vicious slap to his face.
India stepped in front of Tuff, Mason, and Tye in protection. “Don’t you dare lay another hand on them, you cold heartless woman.”
Her eyes turned even colder. Irene gave a spiteful sneer. “You’re in no condition to threaten me, you little slut. Now I suggest you all take a seat and wait for everyone to come back.”
Tuff knew they didn’t have any other choice but to do what the bitch said. “India, boys sit down.”
India refused to budge. “No I’m not letting this ugly hag threaten or hurt any of us anymore.”
Irene gave a chilling laugh and once again lashed out sending the smaller woman to her knees.
“India.” Tye and Mason screamed together.
Chin Li rushed forward and bending down helped Missy to her feet, one look in her eyes could see she was suffering another contraction.
“So I’m right. The bitch is in labor. How perfect.” Irene thought things could not have worked out more perfectly. She might not have lost getting her hands on the ranch after all. With her eldest sons wife about to give birth she held the perfect weapon in her hands.
Upstairs Traye heard the chilling laughter followed by the anguished cries. He struggled to sit up and gnashed his teeth against the excruciating pain. He knew something terribly wrong was going on down stairs. In his weakened condition, he finally managed to swing his legs over the edge of the bed. For a moment, he felt the dizziness nearly overwhelm him but dragging in long slow breathes he fought if off.
With his jaw clenched, he grabbed hold of the bedpost and forced himself to his feet, swaying he held on to it until the room stopped spinning. Letting go of the bedpost, he reached for his six-shooter sitting on the table next to the bed. The cries of terror from Mason and Tye galvanized him into action.
The knowledge that his family might be in grave danger gave him the strength he needed to cross the room. Once in the hallway he needed to lean against the wall to steady himself. He grew frustrated over his weakness and with the slow pace, he was making. Eventually he made it to the stairs. Leaning heavily against the railing, he took one-step at a time.
Sweat soaked every part of his body; he just reached the last step when he heard his mother’s voice. It gave him the added strength he so desperately needed, and he managed to make it to the parlor doorway where he stood bare assed naked with his gun raised and aimed at his mother.
“I would drop that weapon if I were you.” He warned her in a cold deadly voice.
India turned to look over and gasped, her face burning with embarrassment over Traye’s nakedness.
Irene let out a screech of frustration and rage. “You’re supposed to be dead or too badly injured. You bastard I’ll kill you all.” She screeched and pointed the gun at India.
Traye took deadly aim and fired, no matter how much he wanted the woman dead he couldn’t kill her. She was his mother after all. When he saw the blood flow from her right shoulder, the gun dropped from his hand and fell to the floor. The next instant so did he. All his strength used up, and he could no longer keep himself on his feet.
Chaos broke loose; Tuff shoved the boys on to the sofa and ran to Traye.
Chin Li helped Missy dow
n to sit next to the boys and hurried after Tuff.
India gathered the boys close and held the sobbing little bodies.
Irene lay on the floor screeching and cursing, slowly sliding into madness.
Tuff knelt beside Traye and lifted his head. “Traye, Traye can you hear me?” he breathed in relief when Traye opened his eyes.
“I’m fine just run out of strength. Help me up into a chair.” Traye’s words were barely a whisper.
Chin Li rushed to get a blanket from the back of the sofa then hurried back to Traye and helped Tuff lift him to his feet then wrapped the blanket around his waist. “Next time you put on pants before you come down stairs.”
Traye gave a weak laugh and gratefully sunk deep in the chair. “Is everyone all right?”
“Yeah, we’re fine thanks to you. You did fine boy, real fine.” Tuff said with tears blurring his eyes and he patted Traye on the shoulder.
Tuff’s words bought strength flowing through his blood. “How is she?”
Chin Li went to check the woman screaming and lying on the floor. He pulled out a rag from his apron pocket and stuffed it into her mouth. “Will not listen to such noise. I no take out bullet, but fetch bandage to stop bleeding.”
Traye chuckled. He couldn’t blame Chin Li for stuffing the rag in his mother's mouth. His gaze went to India and the boys. “Are you and the boys all right, India?”
India nodded. “Yes we’re fine.”
“Like hell yah are, we got to get you upstairs. Ain’t no way you’re having them babies down here.” Tuff suddenly remembered India was about to give birth.
“Oh jeez, she’s having them now?” Traye started to panic.
“Yep and as soon as Chin Li bandages up the bitch, we’ll take her up stairs to bed.” Once again, Tuff patted Traye’s good shoulder. He shook with relief that they all managed to come out of the situation unhurt.
FIFTY-SIX
King, his daughter, and everyone else who were involved were on their way on their way to jail. The only one missing was their mother. “I don’t like it. I think we better head home as fast as we can.” Dane felt dread ripping at his gut and wanted to get home as quick as he could.
“Hell Dane you’ve used up just about all your strength, and I doubt you’ll be able to sit your horse.” Jeff tried to reason with him.
“Hell don’t you think I know it? I’ll just have to ride with one of you. We have to get home.” He bellowed in frustration and fear.
“Come on help him up. He can ride in front of me. I feel the same as Dane. We need to get home.” Jesse volunteered and as soon as Dane settled in front of him on his horse, rode out as quickly as he could.
The others swiftly mounted and followed, they raced towards home fast grim faced and full of worry.
When they pulled up in front of the house, Reese and Devon helped Dane from the horse and into the house, Jesse and Jeff followed. As soon as they stepped inside the parlor, dread filled their hearts. They never expected to see Traye sitting in the room; they saw Mason and Tye weeping against him.
“What’s happened?” Dane asked as his brothers helped him into the room.
Traye tossed his head to the side where their mother lay on the floor tied up and gagged.
“Holly shit.” Reese blurted out.
“India. Where’s India?” Dane asked frantically.
Traye threw his brother a grin. “You best get him upstairs, he’s about to become a Papa.”
Jeff and Devon helped Dane upstairs while Reese and Jesse comforted Mason and Tye, letting Traye rest.
“Are you okay and what happened?” Jesse asked as he sat down with his arm around Mason.
“I heard screaming and knew something was wrong, it took an effort, but I made it down stairs and guess who I found threatening everyone with a gun. I did warn her but she aimed her weapon at India. I didn’t have a choice but to fire.” Traye explained and wearily closed his eyes.
“He didn’t have any clothes on.” Tye informed them.
Reese and Jesse broke in to laughter, within a few seconds both Mason and Tye joined in.
“When India’s has her babies will be soon enough to take the bitch to jail.” Traye told them. “She’s in no danger; Chin Li bandaged her wound and stopped the bleeding.”
Even though he didn’t have an ounce of strength left in him, as soon as he sat down in the chair by the bed Dane reached for his wife’s hand. “India, I’m here darlin.”
Her head whipping around India glared angrily at her husband. “And it’s about time to. You had no right to ride of and leave me to have your babies on my own.”
Dane cringed as his wife shouted at him.
“Ah I think we best get out of here.” Devon quickly backed up away from the bed.
India narrowed in on Jeff and Devon. “Stay I insist.” She snapped at them.
Horrified at the thought, both Jeff and Devon spun around and raced from the room.
“Now gal no need to be cranky, Dane’s here.” Tuff wanted to leave as well but Chin Li needed his help and Dane didn’t seem to be in any condition to lend a hand.
“Time Missy. Next contraction you push, push hard.” Chin Li instructed her and moved between her spread thighs.
“I don’t want to.” India suddenly grew terrified.
Dane found the strength within him and getting up from the chair sat down on the edge of the bed, bent over and kissed his wife’s brow and stroked the side of her face. “You can do it sweetheart. You’re stronger than any of us.” He leaned closer. “I love you sweetheart.” He brushed her lips with his own and lifted away, relieved to see the fear leave her eyes.
Down stairs everyone waited in anxious impatience, time seemed to crawl by. Every now and then sporadic words were spoken only to be replaced with lengths of silence. When dusk started to settle, Jeff lit the lamps and poured everyone a much-needed drink. No one paid any heed to Irene, who intermittently thrashed on the floor.
A grin from ear to ear, Tuff entered the parlor. “Well boyo’s we’ve got ourselves a baby boy and a baby girl.”
Sighs of relief filled the room followed by the sound of laughter. They clapped each other on the back.
“How’s India?” Jesse asked.
“The gal is doing just fine; you can all go up and see for yah selves.” Tuff no sooner finished when Traye was helped to his feet and the room cleared. He chuckled to himself then slowly walked over to where Irene lay on the floor. “Yah went too far this time bitch, and now I’m gonna make sure you never see the light of day again.” With one more look of loathing, he turned away and followed the boy's upstairs.
Everyone piled into Dane and India’s room to look at the babies and make sure she really was all right.
Dane rested on his side next to his wife, he grinned when his brothers rushed in to the room.
Traye sat in the chair next to the bed and everyone gathered around the crib to admire the babies.
India watched with sleepy amusement, she hid her surprise as one by one they came to her and kissed her cheek before they left the room.
“I told you sweetheart, they would love you, just as I do.” Dane whispered next to her ear.
India turned to face her husband and cupped his cheek. “It’s finally all over isn’t it Dane? She won't be able to hurt us anymore.”
Dane wrapped his arms around his wife and hugged her close; his lips placed soft kisses along her brow. “She’s gone for good sweetheart. She’ll never be able to hurt us again, I promise. Thank you sweetheart. Thank you for giving me two fine and beautiful babies and thank you for loving me again and thank you for loving my brothers.”
Tired and happy, India snuggled against her husband. “I love you too, all of you.” She whispered before she succumbed to sleep.
Even though exhausted himself, he was too overwhelmed with his emotions Dane couldn’t sleep. His family was now once again safe. His wife survived giving birth, and now he was the proud father of two wonderful babie
s. Taking his wife in payment proved to be the best and most sensible thing he ever did. Now they could finally put the past behind them and look towards a glowing and loving future. His whole family finally would have a chance to heal and his brothers would now grow in to fine young men without their mother’s ugliness and poison filling their lives.
He brushed his wife’s hair with his lips. “Thank you my love, thank you.” He whispered softly just before the weakness took over, and he drifted off into a healing sleep.
EPILOGUE
Mid afternoon Dane lay watching his wife and children sleeping, his heart nearly exploding from the overwhelming happiness filling him. He reached out and gently brushed the hair from his wife’s brow. Everyone he loved was safe and virtually unharmed. He knew now they would never have to fear their mother coming back in to their lives ever again.
None of them felt an ounce of remorse or anything else but relief, their mother finally succumbed to the poison riddled inside her and descended in to complete an utter madness. Her sanity completely lost, instead of putting her in jail they restrained her and escorted her to the nearest asylum.
Everyone else who had been involved with her was all in jail and would most likely be there for a very long time. Traye and Reese were acquitted of the charge of murder after Sheriff Butt’s confession. He could now breathe easy and let the fear finally leave him. The only thing that still filled his heart with guilt was Jesse, who still insisted on leaving.
Nothing he said or anyone else said would change his mind and he knew that he would have to let his brother go. Hopefully one day soon Jesse will return home and all would be forgiven. Hell he made so many stupid mistakes but the one mistake he positively didn’t make was taking this beautiful loving woman as payment for her brother’s dept
The Payment Page 22