Chapter Thirty-One

                                    

                                          


                          
"Well lookie here what I found. A real prize. You mighty fine for a nigga." The brown-haired man from the checkpoint said as he greedily grabbed at Ayo's breasts from behind and pulled her hair so hard she felt it torn from the root. A scream escaped from Ayo's small frame, alerting Elijah and Thomas to the danger. They drove the wagon hard in her direction. By the time they reached her. The other two men were there armed and ready for confrontation.
                          
"I knew you fuckers were hiding something. Ain't no English man just riding these backwoods for nothing. This is the nigga bitch they have the bounty on down in Richmond. Honey, you gonna make ole Bobby Lee a rich man. Maybe I'll taste some of that brown suga too before I hand you over to 'em." He said gliding his tongue up the column of her throat to her ear. Ayo's stomach turned while Elijah boiled with rage. He swore after the night Simon tried to rape her that no man would ever have her, save himself. He swore he would protect her and now again she was in danger. His options were limited. He only carried his six-shooter at his waist. Thomas was all but useless in a fight, it has never been his strength. He could have taken all three men if it came down the fisticuffs but alas they were heavily armed and he was outmatched. He stood from the wagon and touched his gun. He would make quick work of them but he'd have to be absolutely careful not to harm Ayo.
                          
With lightning speed, he pulled his gun from its holster and shot two of the three would-be attackers injuring but not fatally wounding them. He cocked his gun and pointed it at the man hold Ayo to him, he now has his weapon flush against her temple.
                          
"Bad move, Yankie. I ain't got no quarrel with you but if you try anything. I'll kill this bitch and still get my money." The man smiled displaying all his rotted teeth.
                          
"You touch her and you die," Elijah said with his arm still outstretched, gun aimed and ready to fire. Ayo's wide green eyes filled with tears that spilled down her flushed cheeks. She shook her head, pleading with him.
                          
"That's enough Elijah. Let me go. Please." She begged, crying now in earnest, "This way I can protect you, your family and Thomas."
                          
Elijah pulled the hammer back on his gun, ready to fire. "I will do no such thing. I will dispatch this brigand and free you."
                          
"To what end, so we can keep running. I love you Elijah St. John and I would save you if I can, even from yourself. If you shoot him, I will intervene." She smiled through her tears as she said, "I am not afraid to die now that I have known love and loved in return." She turned her head slightly to her captor and said, "I will go with you willingly, so long as you leave these men unharmed. They will not seek retribution if we leave now."
                          
Thomas who was stunned into inaction finally broke his silence. "No, Ayo you mustn't. Elijah do something, Goddammit!" Thomas shouted.
                          
Elijah's gun dropped as he watched Ayo and her captor get on his horse and ride away.
                          
He let himself drop the wagon seat, bewildered at her decision to give up her life despite all the effort they had gone through to save it. She now willingly gave it up. It angered and disturbed him that she would throw away everything they worked so hard for.
                          
"Why did she do it, Tom? I could have saved her." He said confounded.
                          
"Eli, you must look at the context of what she's done. She did it to protect us from reprisal from the local government. You've already injured two lawmen. Killing one would have sealed your fate. She gave up her life for you Eli, to protect you. As much as it pains me to say it. She's always loved you and not me."
                          
Elijah angled his head to look at Thomas. "Then it can't end like this. I have to get her back, Thomas."
                          
Thomas clapped a heavy hand on Elijah's shoulder. "I'm with you, friend. We must save her, no matter the cost."