Page 46 of Devil's Marker

“You know why not.”

“That’s just your defenses talkin’. You don’t really think money buys happiness.” She shook her head. “Or safety or security.”

“Maybe not, but there are a lot less drive-by shootings in gated communities.”

“You don’t want to know where this is going?”

“What do you mean by ‘this’?”

He motioned between the two of them. “This thing? It doesn’t happen every day. If it did, you wouldn’t be glowin’ right this minute from endin’ a two year dry spell.”

Win searched her eyes. When she pulled away, he let her go.

“Terms were clear, Garrett. Short. Casual. Done.”

“What was it made you so scared of livin’, Arcy?”

She blinked rapidly. “I’m not scared.”

“The hell you aren’t.”

“There’s a difference between smart and scared.”

“Yeah, there is. Refusin’ to take a careful look when life offers you the possibility of somethin’ good? That’s not smart. That’s scared.”

She pressed her lips together. “I’m not sayin’ there’s anything wrong with you. I just don’t want the life. Made up my mind. Takin’ a chance on somebody who lives from risk to dangerous option?” She shook her head. “Not for me. I don’t want to spend every day wonderin’ if somebody’s gonna live to see dinner.”

“You know there are no guarantees. For anybody.”

“I do know that. I also know that death rates are higher for cops than insurance salesmen.”

There was no arguing that. It was the truth.

“Is that what we’re talking about? You spent every day growin’ up wonderin’ if your pop was gonna live or die?”

“Or go to jail? Yeah.”

Win looked away from R.C., nodded, then took in a big breath before saying, “Okay,” in a resigned way that sounded a little heartbreaking, even to her.

Neither of them spoke a word as they rode back to the clubhouse.

When she pulled up to the gate, he said, “You’re not comin’ in?”

She shrugged. “Got no reason to.” He reached back, pulled her Brahmin bag out of the floorboard and fished out her phone. “What do you think you’re doin’?”

He said nothing. Just programmed his name and number into her contacts. “This has been all you from the beginnin’. You’re completely in control, but I’ve made my interest known. If you change your mind, or if you need me…” He let that hang in the air for a moment to make a point. “Let me know. I’ll come for you.”

He held out the phone, but kept it close to his body so that she had to reach over and take. His eyes lingered on hers for a minute before he opened the door and walked away.

He didn’t look back until he’d climbed the dock steps and reached the door. Before he went in, he glanced over his shoulder. She was gone.

CHAPTER Nine

“The Marauders are terrorists. They execute people.”

—anonymous member Stars & Bars

“Where the hell’ve you been?!?” Cue accused Win as he walked in.