Page 29 of Dead Man's Hand

She stared into the flames, wondering how true that was. If what Lloyd had told him was true, Keira had set DJ up. Meeting her up here in the mountains seemed like a death wish. Was DJ really that sure he could trust this girl he’d called his little sister?

She thought about PI Buck Crawford. She didn’t doubt that it was true, DJ had a twin sister. She knew there was more to the story. Hadn’t the PI said that DJ and his twin’s mother had thought both babies had died? That they’d later been given away? Sadie just hoped there was some good news to be had with his biological family. She wasn’t sure how much more bad DJ could take—especially if Keira betrayed him.

“I hope you’re hungry,” he said from behind her, startling her out of her thoughts. She caught a whiff of something that smelled wonderful and felt her stomach rumble. “It’s my own concoction. I hope you like it.”

He handed her a bowl and spoon. “It’s a can of spaghetti mixed with a can of chili. I added a few spices I found.” He sounded so eager as he waited for her to take a bite.

She breathed in the rather unusual mixed scents, filled her spoon and took a bite. Surprisingly the canned spaghetti and the chili actually went together. “This is delicious.”

“Don’t sound so shocked,” he joked.

She took another bite. “Seriously, it’s really good.”

He laughed, shaking his head before returning to the kitchen to load his own bowl. He joined her in front of the fire in the opposite chair. “You really like it?”

“I love it. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I tasted it.”

She could see that he was pleased as he began to eat his. They ate in a companionable silence. The only sound the occasional crackle of the fire. Outside, the snow continued to fall as if it were never going to stop. She could see flakes fly by the window, whirling through the pines outside. Sometimes she heard the soft moan of the wind. Outside there was only white. With a start she realized something. They were snowed in here. Trapped.

The thought startled her until she reminded herself that if they couldn’t leave, then no one could get to them. The rental SUV was down the mountain, blocking the road. She couldn’t help but wonder. Where was Keira?

As she finished her dinner, DJ offered her more, but she shook her head, pleasantly full. He took her spoon and bowl and went to finish off what he’d made. She found herself lulled by the crackling fire, the warmth, the fullness in her stomach.

It felt so pleasantly domestic that she could almost forget why they were here in this cabin and what they would be facing when the storm stopped. As she glanced over at DJ, she wanted to pretend that they had stumbled onto a magical cabin and they could stay here forever, safe from a dangerous outside world. In here, no one could hurt them.

Childish wishing, she thought. There were no magical cabins, no place safe from the dangerous outside world because of the life they both had lived—and were still living. Was she kidding herself that she could stop doing this? Just get off, like climbing from a merry-go-round? Could DJ?

Otherwise,theywere that dangerous world.

MARCUSGRANDVILLEKEPTgoing over his morning conversation with his son. The fool had authorized a poker game with DJ Diamond and two of Titus’s men. The PI Marcus had met got involved. DJ walked away with the money after besting Titus’s men.

“What kind of foolishness was this?” Marcus had demanded. “I told you to settle and get him out of town. What about that didn’t you understand, Titus?”

“I couldn’t just let this bastard come into town, set up a poker game, take us to the cleaners and walk away. One of your associates, Frank Burns, was in the game. DJ was thumbing his nose at us.”

“So what?”

“You’re beginning to get soft in your old age if you’d let a Diamond come into our town and do whatever he damned well pleases.”

“Oh, and you handled it so much better? DJ Diamond did exactly what he planned and now he’s left town after rubbing your face in it. Isn’t that why you’re so upset? You thought you could outsmart him and you failed.”

“He hasn’t gotten away,” Titus said. “I have him right where I want him. I have Keira Cross, the woman he calls his little sister. I have her and therefore, I have Diamond.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m using her to get DJ. I know exactly where he’s headed and when he gets there, I’m going to make sure that he never comes back to Butte again.”

Marcus shook his head, thinking now that he should have tried to talk his son out of this plan. Titus had always been a hothead. He didn’t understand business, legit business; he never would. He wanted to be the tough guy, the schoolyard bully. He didn’t even know how to pick his fights.

Now he’d sent Rafe, Butch and Lloyd into the mountains. Marcus knew what that meant. Titus wouldn’t be happy until Diamond was dead. He swore under his breath as more of the conversation got under his skin.

“You used to let Charley run all over you. I’m not going to let DJ Diamond run roughshod over me.”

Marcus shook his head. Titus could never understand the respect he and Charley Diamond had for each other. “I let him run his small-time cons in my town. Because I knew that he could never hurt me unless I did something stupid and tried to keep him from making a living here. You never learned how to make deals because you always have to win. You think I’ve gone soft? I’m washing my hands of this whole mess. You’re on your own just like you’ve always wanted. If you’re looking for my blessing, you’re not getting it. You’re making a huge mistake. Probably your last.”

Now he regretted his words. He feared for his son. Worse for what this might do to the Grandville name—and their business. Titus was a fool, and he was about to prove it to the world.

DJFINISHEDEATINGthe rest of what he’d made, then cleaned up the dishes in the water he’d heated on the stove. He couldn’t help smiling. He could see Charley in this cabin. It was comfortable and yet simple, like Charley himself. Why his uncle had never told him about the place still surprised him. Especially since Keira knew about it.

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