Page 47 of Secret Love

“Fine.” She stashes it away beneath the counter. “So, how’d your little mission go?”

“It went…” I pause to think of the best word. “Okay.”

“Did you bring my gun back?”

“Yeah, but I need it for a bit longer. And a few more things from your back room.”

“I dunno.” Her eyes narrow. “I’m still kinda mad at you.”

I deflate. “I thought we were cool,” I say.

“Yeah, I changed my mind.”

“Caleb,” I tilt my head, “I said I was sorry.”

“I know.”

“I died. It wasn’t my fault.”

“I know,” she says again with a sigh. “I have the right to feel bitter about it for a little while longer.”

I nod. “You do.”

“It’s pretty fucked up.”

“I know.”

“And it’s not fair that you won’t tell me what’s going on.”

“I know,” I say again. “I’ll explain everything to you after, but I can’t right now because it’s not—”

“It’s not safe,” she says with me, looking annoyed.

“What can I do to make you trust me again?” I ask.

Caleb bites her cheek. “You can let me tase you,” she says, her playful eyes returning.

I smile. “How about you help me out again and I’ll have Boxcar wipe out some of your debt. That’s a fair trade, right?”

She scoffs and brushes a few auburn bangs away from her eyes. “I’d rather tase myself.”

“Hey, he’s useful,” I say, sensing her tension at the mention of his name.

“So are lobotomies. Still wouldn’t recommend one.”

I chuckle. “Help me out and I’ll tell him that I found you spread eagle with some beefcake in the back room. That should piss him off.”

She finally drops her head and lets out a defeated breath. “What do you need?”

“A few boxes of those Win Mag rounds, a bowie knife, and that Model 60 I saw yesterday.”

She hisses. “That’s my special occasion gun.”

“I wouldn’t ask for it if it weren’t one.”

“Going hunting?” she asks with a raised brow.

“On defense this time.”

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