Page 62 of Devil's Marker

“Why’s that?”

“Do not ask me that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to say.”

“Tabled for now. Go on.”

“It was an impulse. I went out to get groceries and saw a sign. This way to I-35. And I thought to myself, I could jump up on the highway and be there in a little more than an hour. Wouldn’t even have to pack a bag because I keep stuff here. Not the way I usually do things.”

“You usually think things through?”

“Yes. But today I didn’t.”

“Why’s that?”’

“Would you stop asking me that?”

“Sure. Soon as you tell me.”

“I guess I miss my dad.” Win laughed out loud. “Okay. It’s true, but that’s not it.”

“Come on. While we’re still young.”

“I just had this crazy, crazy, crazy idea about seein’ you again. Maybe one more time. But then when I got here, I realized how crazy that really was. So I decided to just spend some time with Robin tonight. Go back tomorrow. And leave things alone.”

“You mean things between you and me?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah,” she whispered.

He reached out and pulled her toward him gently, causing her to take a step forward into his arms as his lips descended on hers. She gave herself over to that kiss as it became more insistent.

Win pulled back when he remembered things weren’t headed that direction. He had a date with a big powerful guy who was going to be an irate father.

“You still think it’d be crazy to see me again?”

“Yes,” she said and he felt a pang of disappointment lance through his chest. “But maybe crazy isn’t the worst thing.”

He smiled. “I’m takin’ this as a bona fide offer to see me again. When this is over.”

“It’s bad.” It was a statement, but he heard the question underneath.

He took in a big breath and let it out as they started walking again. “Rival club come to town from outta state. They’re the worst kinda no good. The kind that involves young women at the value they have at the peak of attraction.”

She stopped dead still. “Do you mean what I think you mean?”

“Probably.”

“What happened to Flak’s niece?”

“You knew about that?”

“Yeah. It’d be hard not to.”

“That was out in California.”

“I know it’s comforting to think it’s not everywhere. But it is.”