A federal agent goes up against an outlaw in a western from 'a master storyteller of frontier history' (Elmer Kelton, author of The Good Old Boys).

 

Three men conquered the frontier …

 

Three Brannock brothers once came West. Now, one of them survives, and Clint Brannock feels the weight of responsibility as he does his job as a US deputy marshal. Hunting down an outlaw in the Indian territories, Clint meets up with two of his nephews—one destined to live or die by the gun, the other to live or die in his shadow. And in southern New Mexico, a beautiful sister-in-law, Elizabeth, presides over 100,000 rich acres—and dabbles in a dangerous game …

 

Now the frontier must be defended …

 

A vigilante named Miguel Ortega is using terror to drive out Anglo settlers. A woman of her own proud heritage, Elizabeth has a grown son and daughter, each of whom stands to inherit an empire. But she has forged a forbidden bond with Ortega. With violence spiraling out of control, the government sends Clint to lay down the law. Soon, all the Brannocks must take a stand and risk their lives—for justice, each other, and the land that is now in their blood …

 

'Matt Braun is one of the best!'―Don Coldsmith, author of the Spanish Bit series

 

'He tells it straight—and he tells it well.'―Jory Sherman, author of Grass Kingdom