Page 3 of Wanted by the Lawman

“When I found you, you were living in a rat-infested apartment building living on beans and rice. Why? To have some overrated degree.” He sniffed. “I saved you.”

She stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “You saved me? Really? Well, let me give you a dose of FYI. I might never have a fancy degree, but at least I’m honest. You’ve embezzled from your clients and your elbow-rubbing buddies are criminals. That’s why you have the police pounding at your door. It was only a matter of time before we had this discussion and there’s no time like the present. I’m leaving, Rory.” Her plans weren’t to leave tonight, and she had no proof that he had embezzled money, but she’d heard the rumors. She also only suspected his involvement with the Irish mob, but the time had come that she needed to get away—needed to spread her wings.

“What the hell did you say?”

“I’m leaving. Moving out. Taking a different path. Hasta La Vista baby. You choose what you want to call it.”

“And go where? You have nowhere to go.”

“You shouldn’t worry about where I go. You have enough to think about with regards to the investigation your smack dab in the center of. Also, just so we’re clear, I know about you and Patricia, your secretary.”

“H-How?” he stammered.

She chuckled coldly. “Actually, I didn’t, but you just answered my question. Eventually the truth comes out.” She started for the closet, but he blocked her, grabbing her shoulders and hugging her.

“You can’t do this,” he said quietly.

“I can, and I will.” She faced him.

“Really? Then you should know that you’re as deep in this as I am. Do you think I hired you as my assistant because you’re handy with a keyboard and a phone? You signed your name to many documents.”

She wouldn’t allow his threats to change her mind. He’d manipulated her long enough, although he did scare her a little. Over the last few weeks it seemed the walls were tumbling down around him. She didn’t want to go down with the ship. “Say what you want, but it won’t change the facts. I’ll even leave all those tight dresses and wigs you like so much and maybe you can convince Patricia to change her identity.” For the first time in a long time she felt vindicated.

He gave her a glaring look that tore through her. “You’ll come crawling back. You wait and see. You have an easy life here and can’t make it out there on your own with no money or prospects. Or maybe you should take those fancy dresses because you might need them when you’re looking for a way to pay the bills.”

His words bounced off her. It was high time she got back on her own two feet. For years now she’d worked for Rory, slept with Rory. Made his dinner and his bed. Did everything he asked—at least to a certain extent.

“Well, at least I won’t be here, with you.”

What Rory didn’t know was that she did have some place to go. When her grandmother, Agnus, passed away last year, she’d left her house in Wyoming to Wynn, although she hadn’t seen her grandmother or anyone on that side of the family in twenty years. The attorney told Wynn that most of the property had been sold right before Agnus passed, but the remaining two acres and house remained, which Wynn inherited as next of kin. She’d kept the inheritance a secret, thinking one day she might need a place. At least she’d planned far enough ahead that she wouldn’t be living on the street.

Wyoming was far away from New York, and exactly what she needed.

“You’re not leaving.” Rory’s jaw hardened.

“Get it through your head. I’m leaving,” she said through clenched teeth.

He grabbed her arm and jerked her hard against him. She saw his hand and a glint of metal about the same time she heard a soft click then a cool touch on her wrist.

“I guess I get to use these after all.” One corner of his mouth slid up into a dangerous smile.

Wynn dropped her chin. One cuff wrapped her wrist and the other circled his. She tilted her head, catching him in what she hoped was a deadly glare. “Unlock these handcuffs at once!”

“Not happening. After you’ve had time to think about all this, you’ll see that leaving isn’t the best idea.”

“This is wrong. This is kidnapping. Let me go!” She gave a jerk of her hand and the cuffs jingled. “Where is the key?” she seethed.

“Safely tucked away.” He patted his front pocket. “You won’t get to it because I plan to stay awake all night to see that you behave yourself.”

“Go to hell! This won’t keep me here.”

He laughed. “Calm down. You’ll be thanking me later.” He winked and touched her cheek, but she jerked her face away.

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