Page 65 of Wanted by the Lawman

“Yeah. Kiersten already told me. You gave him the counterfeit money, didn’t you?” Although his voice was firm, his eyes were kind.

She nodded. “He said if I didn’t, the criminals would come after me, and you.” Once the words were out it was like air deflating from a balloon, so by the time Agent Gaines left, she was nothing but frazzled nerves and shock.

Zander stood across the room, his muscular arms crossed over his chest as if he was facing a wind storm.

“You knew, and you still slept with me?”

“And you slept with me, keeping his visit a secret,” he responded.

“Why? Were you hoping I’d talk? Reveal his whereabouts?”

“No.” He dropped his arms. “I slept with you because I care for you. Now I need to know, do you have feelings for me? Were you thinking of going back to Salvano? Is that what you meant when you said you were unsure of your past?” he asked, his voice showing no signs of his internal state.

“No, I didn’t want him, or to be near him.” She stood, took several steps that brought them closer, but she stopped. “What he and I shared was over…and very much over now.” Tears stung the backs of her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you trust me?” The rawness in his voice was the first slip that he was angry.

“I wanted to…I really did. Several times I started to, but…” Any excuse seemed flimsy.

“I couldn’t tell you what I knew. Kiersten went out on a line to tell me.” He sighed. “He came for the money and you?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I didn’t want either of us to be in harm’s way. He threatened us. He said the men wanting the goods would come after us. Rory told me he would be back in a week to get me, after he took care of business in New York. If I complied, you would be safe.”

Zander’s hands clutched into fists. “It’s a good thing he’s dead or I might have wrung his neck,” he said through tight lips.

“This is all my fault. I should have turned him in. Again, I’ve allowed him to convince me of something foolish. Maybe if I had said something he wouldn’t be dead now. He had problems, but no one deserves to die.” She sucked in a sob.

Zander came to her and he dragged her into his arms, wrapping her in a rock-hard embrace. “Listen, he chose his path and he could have easily put you in danger. His criminal activity would have caught up to him eventually and it’s a good thing you left him when you did. But don’t hold yourself accountable for his choices.”

“I won’t, but my choices weren’t much better,” she mumbled against his chest. She took a step back and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “I-I need to go, Zander. I need to wrap my head around all that has happened.”

“Wynn…”

“I don’t know what to think. I need time.”

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