The sun was low in the sky by the time Jack and Sam returned to Red Creek. The town was beginning to come alive with the evening crowd—miners and cowhands off work, eager for a drink and a bit of entertainment before heading back to their meager homes. The saloons were starting to fill up, their doors swinging open to let in men dusty from the trail and women in bright, threadbare dresses.
Jack and Sam made their way to Lila Monroe's saloon, The Silver Spur, the most popular spot in town. It was a large, two-story building with a porch that wrapped around the front, offering a view of the main street. The sound of laughter and the tinkling of piano keys drifted out onto the evening air as they approached.
Inside, the saloon was a haze of smoke and noise. Men crowded around tables, playing cards and drinking, while a few women worked the room, flirting and laughing with the patrons. At the bar, a tall, blonde woman with sharp features and a quick smile poured drinks with practiced ease.
Lila Monroe was a woman who had seen it all and come out the other side with her dignity intact. She was tough, clever, and had a way of getting what she wanted without ever seeming to try. She'd owned The Silver Spur for years, and under her watch, it had become more than just a place to drink—it was the heart of Red Creek, a refuge for the lost and the weary.
As Jack and Sam entered, Lila's eyes flicked over to them, and for a moment, her smile faltered. She quickly recovered, though, and motioned for one of the girls to take over behind the bar as she walked over to greet them.
"Well, well," Lila said as she approached, her voice smooth and warm like honey. "Look what the cat dragged in."
"Good to see you too, Lila," Sam said, a grin spreading across his face.
Lila's eyes moved to Jack, and for a moment, they softened. "Jack Sullivan," she said, her tone more serious. "It's been a long time."
"Too long," Jack replied, tipping his hat to her. "How've you been, Lila?"
"Oh, you know," she said with a shrug, though her eyes betrayed a weariness that hadn't been there the last time they'd met. "Same old, same old. Keeping this place running and keeping these boys in line."
"Looks like you're doing a fine job of it," Sam said, glancing around the room.
Lila sighed, her gaze following his. "Business is good, but the town's gone to hell since Fletcher came to power. The people here are scared, Sam. They've got nowhere else to go."
"We're gonna change that," Sam said, his voice filled with conviction. "We're gonna take him down, Lila."
Lila's eyes narrowed, and she turned her attention back to Sam. "You really think you can do that? Fletcher's not just some two-bit outlaw, Sam. He's got money, power, men who'd kill for him."
"I know," Sam said, his expression hardening. "But he's also got a lot of enemies. People who'd love to see him taken down a peg. We've got a plan, Lila. We just need you to trust us."
Lila shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're playing a dangerous game, Sam. Fletcher doesn't take kindly to people who cross him. And what about you, Jack?" She turned to him, her gaze piercing. "What's your stake in this?"
Jack met her eyes, feeling the weight of her question. "I'm here for Sam," he said simply. "Whatever happens, we're in it together."
Lila studied him for a moment, then sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I should've known you'd say that. You always were too loyal for your own good."
She gestured for them to follow her to a back room, away from the noise and prying eyes. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Listen to me, both of you," she said, her tone serious. "I've heard the talk around town. Fletcher's men are everywhere, and they're watching anyone who even thinks about standing up to him. If you go through with this, there's no turning back. You'll be marked men."
Sam's jaw tightened. "I've been a marked man before, Lila. It doesn't scare me."
"It should," Lila shot back. "Fletcher's not just another outlaw, Sam. He's got the law in his pocket, and more money than you can imagine. He'll come after you, and he won't stop until you're dead."
Jack listened in silence, knowing that Lila was right. The plan was dangerous—suicidal, even—but he had already committed himself to it. He couldn't turn back now, not with Sam depending on him.
"We know the risks, Lila," Jack said finally. "But we've got no choice. Fletcher has to be stopped."
Lila looked at him, her expression softening. "I know you're doing this for the right reasons, Jack. But I don't want to see you or Sam get killed. You've both been through enough."
"We all have," Sam said quietly.
For a moment, the three of them stood in silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on them. The air in the room was thick with tension, and Jack could feel the familiar pull of doubt gnawing at him.
Finally, Lila sighed and uncrossed her arms. "Alright," she said, her voice resigned. "If you're determined to go through with this, I'll help you. But you need to be careful. Fletcher's got eyes everywhere, and if he catches wind of what you're planning, you won't live to see the sunrise."
"We'll be careful," Sam assured her. "And we'll need your help getting the lay of the land. You know this town better than anyone."
Lila nodded, though the worry in her eyes remained. "I'll do what I can. But promise me one thing, Sam—if things go south, you get out of here. Don't try to be a hero."
Sam smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You know me, Lila. I'm not the hero type."
Lila gave him a sad smile in return. "That's what worries me."
With that, she turned and opened the door, letting them back into the noise and chaos of the saloon. Jack and Sam exchanged a glance, both of them knowing that this was just the beginning. The real fight was still ahead, and it would take everything they had to survive it.
As they made their way back through the crowded room, Lila watched them go, her heart heavy with fear and regret. She had seen too many good men destroyed by their need for vengeance, and she feared that Jack and Sam were on the same path.
But she also knew that there was no stopping them now. The die had been cast, and all she could do was hope that they would make it out alive.