Acres, Natalie - Propositioned by Outlaws [Outlaws 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Natalie Acres Page B

were some whore for hire, would I bleed like that?”
    Immediately, Art looked at his tainted fingers. Rather than acting repulsed by what he saw, he grinned. “Looks like we gave Victoria here an education.”
    A gun cocked about the same time Art made the statement. “What the fuck is going on here?” the marshal yelled. “ Victoria , are you all right?”
    “Marshal, I…”
    “Damn it to hell!” he shouted, fumbling for another gun tightly holstered at his side. “Put ’em where I can see ’em, boys!”
    “Don’t show him your cocks. He might blow ‘em away,” she whispered.
    “You aren’t funny,” Art said under his breath.
    The marshal aimed the second pistol but looked away. “ Victoria , get dressed. I’m here and I’ll take care of these fellas. Are you all right?”
    Victoria hurriedly gathered her clothes and darted behind the haystack. “It ain’t what you think, Marshal.”
    “It’s exactly what I think!” he assured her. “These men raped you, and now you’re afraid to tell me the straight of it. You’re just like your precious momma. She always protected the criminals. Why she’s lucky one of those outlaws didn’t put her in the grave before she turned thirty.”
    “Marshal, Victoria is right. It’s not what you think.”
    “Shut the hell up. Victoria , get your damn clothes on and wait for me in the house.”
    “No, Marshal. I won’t do it. These men didn’t hurt me.”
    “The hell they didn’t,” the marshal said. “You think I don’t see that blood there on the blanket. Men, get your breeches on. You’re taking a ride into town with me.”
    Victoria hurriedly slipped her dress over her head. After securing about half the buttons down the front, she stepped out in the open. “Marshal, you have to listen to me.”
    He studied her face. “Where’d they hurt you, girl?”
    “I’m not hurt.”
    “You’re in shock. I’ll have Doc Taylor ride out and take a look at you.”
    Victoria glanced at Lane and Art. Lane looked deeply troubled. Art appeared suspicious, acting as if he were up to something. There was a gun near that blanket, and Victoria shook her head behind the marshal’s back, praying Art and Lane wouldn’t harm him.
    “Marshal, these men are friends of mine.”
    “Friends?”
    “Yes, friends!”
    “You expect me to believe you were out here in the barn poking around with two men?” He shook his head. “No, Victoria. I don’t buy that. I can’t. Now get on in that house and let me have a word with them.”
    “No, Marshal.” She defied him. “I will not. This is my home, and these men are my guests.”
    The marshal studied the rolled-up blankets and saddles strewn about in a corner dimly lit by a small lantern. “If they’re friends, what are they doin’ out here in the barn, Victoria ?”
    Victoria took a deep breath. “Marshal, please.”
    “ Victoria , I ain’t tellin’ you again. Get in that damn cabin and don’t come out until I’m through here.”
    Defiance took hold, and she marched over to Art and Lane. She stood in front of them with her arms spread wide. “You’ll have to go through me to get to them.”
    “Don’t do this, Victoria ,” Lane said, gently pushing her arms downward. “We’ll go with him.”
    The marshal narrowed his gaze. “Wait a minute. I know you.”
    He stuffed his hand in his pocket and retrieved a piece of paper folded in fours. As he opened up the document, he walked toward the only other lantern in the barn, located right next to the very spot where Victoria lost her innocence.
    She squeezed her legs together and stared at Art, who must’ve known what she was thinking. He winked, but that didn’t ease the fluttering sensation in her gut. She knew what images were on that wanted poster. Lane warned her.
    The marshal most definitely would think of him as an outlaw. Wanted men were no count according to those who pursued them.
    “Well I’ll be damned,” the marshal said, pacing in front of Art