Page 47 of Wanted by the Lawman

CHAPTER 15

WYNN OPENED HER eyes. It was still dark outside and she could hear the rain splattering the bedroom window. She felt a stirring next to her under the blankets and she smiled. “So, you were able to come back after all?” She snuggled against the source of warmth, and stopped…

“You should know I’ll always come back.”

She jumped out of bed, almost tripping over the sheet in the process. Hurrying to turn on the lamp, she felt her knees go weak as her heart slammed against her ribs. “Rory? What are you doing here?”

“Don’t act so surprised, love. You can’t tell me you weren’t expecting me. Although, I do think that the lawman is trying to take my place.” He tossed back the covers and climbed from the bed, smoothing his designer jacket and wrinkled slacks.

“I don’t want you here!” Wynn wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling the cold all the way into the center of her bones. “The feds are looking for you. An agent was here so you need to leave.”

“Is that any way to greet the love of your life?” He took a step toward her, but she drew back.

“You’re not the love of my life and you’re not welcome here.” She grabbed her robe and pulled it on, tying the belt tight at her waist. “Go or I’ll call the Sheriff.” She took a step toward the door, but he was on her before she got more than three feet, grabbing her by the elbow and dragging her back against him.

“Not so fast, baby,” he whispered next to her ear.

“Please leave.” Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing how scared she was, she wished the quiver wasn’t in her voice. “I mean it.”

He jeered. “Oh, I imagine you do. Yet, you were sleeping naked.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Not for you!”

“Ah, the lawman, huh?” He caressed her cheek.

“He’ll be here any minute,” she snapped.

“No, I doubt it.”

She tilted her chin, looking at him. “How long have you been in Crooked Creek watching me?”

His grin was calculating and his eyes icy. “Long enough. Locks don’t keep me out, sweetheart.” He tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Did you think I wouldn’t trace you? You know I’m more resourceful than you give me credit for.” He let her elbow go and she pulled away, rubbing the bruised skin.

“Wh-What are you doing here? You should be out of the country by now.”

“That was an option, but as I pondered my future, I couldn’t see myself without you. You’re a ray of sunshine.”

“Liar!” She hated when he treated her like she was a child. “I’m calling the Sheriff.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t if I were you.” He took three steps, grabbed the cell off the nightstand and gave it a toss to the middle of the bed.

Her ex was conniving and dangerous, always had been, but she’d missed it—missed the red flags. How had she been so blind? “Tell me what you want and then I want you to get the hell out.”

He swiveled on heel, examining the space. “Some place you have here,” he said in such a way that told her he thought she’d hit rock bottom. “I’d ask how freedom is going for you, but I think it’s obvious.”

“I have a feeling you didn’t come here to talk about life, so just get to the point.” She could only hope that Zander would show up, but he wouldn’t. He’d be wrapped up in work.

“You have something that belongs to me.” He held her stare.

And then she remembered. The money…

“It was counterfeit, Rory. What were you doing with counterfeit money?”

His laughter was raw and more like nails scraping down a chalkboard. It unsettled her. “Truly, sweetheart, you don’t want the answer to that. The less you know the better. Just give it back to me…”

“I-I don’t have it.”

His jaw creaked. “What do you mean?”

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