Page 50 of Claimed by the Lawman

“Answer me about the diary,” she seethed.

“Yes, they have her diary, but they won’t believe a junkie,” he muttered.

“No, but they might believe the bitch sister. My name could be in that diary and being that I left a statement that puts me in the hot seat. You promised me…” She rolled her eyes. “What if this Sheriff Cade starts digging deeper?”

“Stay calm, sweetheart.”

“Stay calm? Did you really just say that to me? You’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of money, not just from me to keep me safe, but others who have invested in you for protection. I have a lot to lose here. So do you.” She took a sip of her scotch, then sat her glass down and shouldered off the see-through robe. He sucked in his breath as he smoothed his gaze down the matching panties and thong. Even at her age she still had it going on.

“Are you doubting me, Ruby? I’ve followed through with everything I’ve promised. For everyone.” He reached out and touched her neck, slipping his finger downward to trace the bubbled, white scar tissue that had long healed but remained prominent. “Why would you be so loyal to someone who could do this to you?”

She laughed but it came out as an exhale of breath. “Why does it matter to you?”

“You know I care about you. Why don’t we run away from here? Start a new life? I have money saved.”

She smacked his hand away and wrinkled her nose. Suddenly she looked her age. “You can’t be serious. You and I are neck deep in this mess, Mansfield. He’d have his men hunt us down and we’d be caught before we reached the border. We know too much. He’d do to us what he’s done to many before us, like the Posey girl. We’re just the puppets in his game.”

“There you are, not trusting me again.” He snorted. “I’ll protect you.”

“Are you bullshitting me?”

“I’m tired of this life, baby. I’m tired of the shit. Don’t you want more?”

“I don’t have a bad life here, not like it was before him.” She rounded the bar and took out a mirror, a straw, and a small box.

Mansfield groaned. “Not tonight, sweetheart. Put that shit away.”

She laughed. “Just do your part in keeping the peace. Make sure this doesn’t blow up in our faces.”

He came to her, but she held up a hand and gave her head a quick shake sending long waves of wild red hair swinging around her bare shoulders. “You know what I want.” With little hesitation he dropped to his knees and she smiled. “There. That’s a good little boy.” She ran her fingers through his hair, then squeezed her hand into a fist, pulling his hair. He winced. Stepping around him, she jerked his head back and he moaned loudly. Releasing his hair, she reached for his tie on the bar, folded it over his eyes, then she unhooked a leather strap from the wall, slapping it several times against her palm. “When this is all over you’ll be begging and pleading for me.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, queen,” he muttered.

She grinned as she moved around to face him, crushing his fingers under her stiletto. He cried out in pain and she lightened the pressure, some. “Now, I don’t want to worry about that broad any more. Got it? The worry will cause me wrinkles.”

“Yes, queen.”

“Good. Then we have an understanding.”

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