Page 44 of Justice

Jumping into my arms, she wrapped her entire body around me. I staggered even as I held my gun toward the car.

“Oh, my God!” Scarlet kissed my cheeks and hugged me tightly.

“Help!” a voice shouted. “Scarlet, help me!”

Scarlet paused and slid down off me. Turning, she shouted at Talon’s men, “Get away, it’s my sister.”

They held their weapons as they stared at the Camaro, the very one we saw when Scarlet was grabbed.

“Stand down,” Talon said.

The men all lowered their weapons.

Scarlet ran around to the passenger door. “Come on, Belle.” She opened the door and Belle stopped out. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Scarlet told her, “It’s ok. They won’t hurt you.”

“But…But they are the Walkers, Scarlet!” Belle exclaimed. “We aren’t safe here.”

Shaking her head, Scarlet stared at me as I moved closer. “Belle, this is Justice.”

‘I-is he a Walker?” her sister asked fearfully.

“I am Justice Walker of Sugarland Texas,” I introduced myself to Belle. “This might not be the time or the place but…” I paused. “I am in love with Scarlet and I plan to marry her.”

Belle nearly gaped at me as she shook her head back and forth. “Oh, no! You stay away from Scarlet. I won’t let you hurt her!”

I knew Scarlet said she hated men, but this was taking it a bit too far.

“Belle, have you heard anything I’ve said?” Scarlet spoke up. “Deacon lied about them. Do you hear me?”

I looked back and forth at them. “You saw Deacon?”

Scarlet nodded. “I don’t know what…” She sighed and looked over at Talon.

He stepped over and asked, “What happened?”

“He claimed he was getting me away from the Walkers,” Scarlet explained. “He convinced Belle that Jewel, Cinnamon and I were being held by you all against our wills.”

Hearing this story, Talon blinked hard in surprise.

“What?” Liberty stepped up closer. “Why would we do that?”

“Because you are all evil,” Belle said. “You have destroyed Ramton, you killed his mother. You have lied to everyone.”

Liberty stared at her then he laughed.

Belle’s eyes rounded. “You think doing all of that is funny?”

“No, I think fairytales are funny, sugar,” Liberty retorted. “And he has been telling you some doozies.”

Belle glared at him. “I am not your sugar and I don’t care about your opinion. Deacon never harmed me. He did all of this to free Scarlet from you all.”

“Belle,” Scarlet tried again as she slung her arm around my neck. “Do I look afraid? No, this is the man I love…” Her voice trailed away.

Looking down at her, I smiled. “It’s about time you admitted it.”

She laughed and wrapped both arms around my neck. “I was so afraid that I would never see you again, Mr. Lawyerman,” she used Ma’s nickname for me.

“Can either of you explain to me how you got away?” Talon asked.