Page 89 of Rugger: The Huntress

As we were, we remained until her cup of tea was half empty. The crackling fire brought along a sense of tranquility. There was absolutely no better place to be than where I was, sharing space with the woman who was quickly becoming my favorite part of the day.

“Let me see it,” she requested, breaking the silence.

“See it?” I asked, unsure of what she was referring to.

“Your collection,” she clarified.

Clever girl. Her request wasn’t absurd but it couldn’t be granted. Not yet.

“This home was bought less than two weeks ago, Gazelle.”

“It only takes two days to transport an arsenal. Two hours if you’re good enough.”

“Transport, not complete.”

“I’m not interested in completion.”

“No,” I stated, firmly.

Collections were sacred. Showcasing them was the least of my interests at the moment. Maybe one day, but not today.

“Then, if not those weapons,” she commented, spinning on her heel.

Her hand caressed the bulge in my pants.

“What about this one?”

I removed the cup of tea from her hand and sipped from the cup. Now, she was speaking my language. My interest was peaked.

“Your weapon, your world,” I reminded her, placing the cup on the mantle.

I took her by the hand and led the way through the partially empty home.

“You purchased,” Gazelle noted.

The unorthodox approach was likely baffling. The curiosity in her voice proved my theory.

“A part of my collection,” I replied.

With a shake of the head, she confronted my logic.

“You lie so very well.”

“Then you wouldn’t have known it was a lie.”

“True,” she chuckled, “Why the home?”

“Stability.”

“In this business, that’s a double-edged knife.”

“That I’m willing to expire for.”

“Strong point of view.”

“Strong supporting case.”

“Is that right? Tell me more. Tell me why you’d risk your freedom and compromise your identity. There’s almost nothing in the world worth that but fa–”

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