Page 16 of This Haunted Heart

Her hand went around her own neck and tightened. Her next breath shuddered out of her. “I’d like to switch to the other side.”

“Can’t go back now, I’m afraid. Cat’s out of the bag, as they say.”

Rynn jetted from the sofa, rushing through the archway. I craned so that I could watch her scrambling to the painting of the ship at sea. She ripped it off the wall and let it clatter to the floor. Fingers frantically worked the dial. The lever clanked as she pulled it open.

She froze there, staring into the abyss of her lost livelihood, chest heaving.

Rynn cursed me and the ceiling blue. The oaths flying out of her mouth were creative and so vile, were we anywhere but a cathouse, a lawman would have threatened to arrest her. She’d certainly have been fined. The costly words continued to pour out of her until, spent, she stooped and covered her face with both hands.

“No,” she panted, “no, no, no, no, no . . .”

“Afraid so,” I said. It seemed cruel to grin at her now, but the expression sprang to my lips, as friendly as a wolverine’s.

Spinning on her heels, she made a move toward her bed.

“Don’t bother,” I said, stopping her in her tracks. “I knew you would be less than pleased with me, and I already removedthe small Colt from your nightstand . . . and the one under your bed—and that one too,” I added as she stretched to reach for the loose floorboard beneath her. “My word, how often do you need to shoot at people that you have so many weapons?”

She stormed into the sitting room, hands balled into fighting fists. I was prepared for her to attempt to strike me, but she stopped short. “I could scream. We are not without security here. Give back what’s mine. Do it swiftly and I will not have you roughed up by—”

“Whom? Matthew or the other two rogues I’ve seen near the doors? The grizzled barkeep? I am not intimidated by them or by your threats, Rynn.” I straightened my cufflinks, tugging down my sleeves one at a time. “Scream for them. I’m certain they would make a great show of rushing to your aid, but I would be no more disturbed by their presence in your room than I am right now without them.”

“Then you’re a fool!”

“Call them,” I dared her. “Call them up here so I can offer them a cut of the fortune I gathered from your safe. What assistance would they give you after that, I wonder? You know them better than I. Would any of those rogues help you then?”

Rynn sucked in a sharp breath. “You’re the rogue, you— What did you do to my books?” Her gaze bounced from her shelves to me, and her expression turned from anguished and alarmed to something as murderous as a hellcat.

The change of subject threw me off-kilter. I scratched a hand through my hair. “You took a long time to come around this morning . . .”

“What. Did. You. Do?”

Her categorization system had been an unsightly mess. I’d made it make sense. “I was bored, so I straightened thespines up a bit, then alphabetized them.”

“You’re a menace!”

“And you’re mine now,” I said, smiling ferociously. “Get dressed. Pack your things. I need to speak again with the stagecoach company I’ve hired. I’ll be back to claim you within the hour.”

She plopped down onto the sofa and did not budge, arms folded stubbornly over her breasts.

I bent low, bringing my nose close to hers. “Unless you would like to say goodbye to your retirement and all of your hard-earned riches right now? I could let you look upon them one final time, let you give them a parting kiss before I haul them out your door for good.”

“I should have known you were the devil,” she muttered. “Lucifer is always beautiful. I should have known it the second I laid eyes on you. The moment I found you attractive, I—”

“I can’t decide whether I’m flattered by this commentary or insulted.”

“—should have kicked you right between the legs and shoved you out my window, you serpent!”

“That settles it. I’m insulted, and I’m leaving your room now—but not through any window. You wouldn’t stand a chance in a battle with me, Rynn. Banish that idea from your head now. I’m giving you one hour. Sixty minutes only to dress and pack and make your goodbyes. It is a gift,” I said forcefully. “Be ready and do not test me.”

* * *

I returned for Rynn promptly within the hour.

She was not ready.

I found her lying on the floor, still in her dressing gown, her arm thrown dramatically over her eyes. She groaned when I entered.

“What is this tragedy?” I demanded, stepping over her body. “Are you always so melodramatic?”

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