“See we’ve got some company.” She attempted to twist away from Hance, but in the next instant a cold, hard barrel pressed against her temple.

“Stop where you’re at, Bliss, or I’ll shoot her.” Although Hance was as even and calm as always, his demeanor contained a deadliness that sent a shiver up her spine.

Before she knew what was happening, he maneuvered her in front of his body so that she was acting like a shield. He dragged her backward toward Otis and the two other men. The revolver barrel against her temple didn’t budge.

She was facing Jericho now, and he had a gun in each hand, both aimed at Hance. Jericho had always carried one in a holster at his hip. Where had the other come from?

“Let her go.” Jericho’s voice was harsh and demanding.

“What’s going on, Hance?” she asked, more confused than a tenderfoot on his first day on the range.

“You’ve got my gold.” His response was low, almost pleasant, but as he spoke the last word, he jabbed the barrel harder, this time against her neck.

She couldn’t keep from crying out at the bruising pain, losing her grasp on the piece of gold as Hance wrenched it from her.

Jericho took a step down, but a bullet pinged the rock in front of him. One of the other fellas was shooting, but Jericho didn’t take his aim off Hance and advanced another step. “If you release her, I’ll take you to the gold.”

Hance tugged her harder against him. “She’s staying with me. And if you don’t want me to hurt her, then you’ll do whatever I tell you to.”

“C’mon, Hance.” She wiggled to free herself. “You don’t need to be so angry about things. We’ll show you where the gold is without any threats. Alright?”

A sting against her neck stilled her. It was followed by the warm trickle of blood down her neck. Did Hance have a knife pressed against her?

“Put down your guns, Bliss,” Hance’s command rang out. “Or I’ll start carving her up.”

Start carving her up? Who was this madman? He sure as the sun rises wasn’t the doting suitor who’d danced with her only days ago.

Jericho set one gun down on the rock in front of him and then placed the other next to it. “There. Now take me instead of her.”

Hance gave a curt nod at the other fellas. They skirted close to Jericho, picked up his revolvers, and then circled him warily, their guns trained on him.

Jericho didn’t move. “Let Ivy go.”