Page 6 of Sanctuary

“He had no justification for what he did,” I grit out.

“No. He didn’t. But he was already worried about you taking his business, and then you actually did.”

“I had no idea—”

“I know you didn’t. It wasn’t your fault either. Just a bad situation.”

“It wouldn’t have been a bad situation if he hadn’t made it one. I should have just shot him when I had the chance.”

Del shakes her head. Clearly, she knows I’d never do that. “But you didn’t. And he didn’t shoot you either. If he wanted to shoot you, he could have done it.”

“I had the advantage on him.”

“Yes. The second time. But at first you said he surprised you. He saw you hiding behind the tree. Couldn’t he have shot you then?”

I narrow my eyes at Del. She’s quiet but has a matter-of-fact sensibility that is often helpful but right now annoys me.

I don’t want to hear logic when I’m in a righteous rage.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think the simple fact of his not shooting me makes him a good man. Exactly how low is the bar for men anymore? Choosing not to kill us is enough?”

“No, it’s not enough. And I totally agree with you that he’s being an asshole. He feels threatened for some reason.”

“There are plenty of jobs for both of us. It’s stupid machismo that’s making him feel threatened. He wants to beat me.”

“And of course you want to beat him.” Del gives me a little smile. She and Cole are sitting together on an old loveseat Cole salvaged a few months ago. He’s got his arm around her.

“I want to beat him only because he keeps challenging me. I’d be perfectly happy if we ignored each other for the rest of our lives.”

“I know. I’m sorry he’s being such a pain. But you’re tough. You’ll think of some way to come out ahead.”

I roll my eyes and stare into the fire, picturing Aidan’s handsome, much-hated face. “I know I’m tough. But he doesn’t think I’m as tough as him.”

“You’re not,” Cole puts in, surprising me so much I turn to stare at him with a jerk of my head.

“Cole,” Del says softly, a gentle warning in her voice.

“No,” I say. “Let him talk. You really think I’m not tough?”

Cole is as big and strong and unmovable as a mountain. I didn’t like him when we first met him, but he’s proven himself to be completely committed to Del.

He loves her so much it sometimes startles and disturbs me.

I honestly never knew a man could love so deeply. Could love without taking.

I trust him now too. I’m hurt and surprised by his words, but I want to hear what he means.

“Of course you’re tough,” he says in his gruff voice. His eyes are weirdly gray like a wolf’s. “You’re the toughest woman I’ve ever known.”

I glance in concern at Del, not wanting her to be hurt. She’s not. Her mouth twitches as she shrugs. “He’s right,” she whispers. “You’re way tougher than me.”

“So what’s the problem then?” I ask him.

“Aidan is bigger and stronger than you are, and he’s spent years not caring about a single other person. You’ll never beathim by trying to be tougher than him. You’re gonna have to be smarter than him.”

I stare at Cole for a minute, shaken by the insightful comment and how true it rings to me.

“He’s pretty smart,” I say.

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