Page 52 of Never Wed an Outlaw

I had to skip ahead. “Whatever. So, you know I did my interning with the Sterner Corp. I learned a lot, got a great education, thought I'd found my place up in the world. Just like how Huck became Firefly, and found his purpose in the club.”

Dust nodded. I broke away, staring at the counter, the pain in my chest sharpening.

“A job in Seattle with a good starting salary wasn't goodenough after I interned. I wantedmore,Dusty, and I jumped at the first person who gave me a chance. I had this idea for an app...the matchmaker software I've given my life to. Trouble is, it cost money, and I didn't want to do it the hard way, taking out loans, risking my credit, schmoozing angel investors. There was a man I met at a Sterner Corp party. He seemed legit. He got me drunk on champagne one night, got me to tell him all my big dreams about becoming a superstar.” More tears came, wild and hot. How had I been so stupid?

“Everybody fucks up when they're young. Who was he?”

“Dominick Barone. Loud, pushy, able to make things happen like magic. I didn't realize it was thanks to his mafia ties until after he put his claws in me. Sicilian Brotherhood. I looked them up when I realized things weren't adding up.”

“One of the worst,” Dust growled. “Gonna be a pleasure to skin the motherfuckers alive.”

I went on, trying to push the gruesome image out of my head. “I did the coding work in no time flat, and launched it with real marketing behind it. Bought and paid for by his generous investment. The thing earned millions in a few months. I was overwhelmed, ready to celebrate, and live it up a little. So, I bought myself this place while Dom shrugged off my questions about paying him back. He told me not to worry about it, said he'd come to collect when it was time.”

Dusty's grip on my fingers grew hotter, angrier. “Motherfuckers. I've heard 'em going after the brilliant and gullible types before.”

Ouch.Gullible hurt because it was true.

“I guess that's fair,” I said, wiping my eyes. Yes, I deserved to feel like an ass in front of him, but it still stung viciously. “I was an idiot, Dusty. I took the bait, and I've been paying for it ever since. They made me set up a new account for their businesses, link it into my app's infrastructure. Money laundering, you know. They wanted more the longer this arrangement went on. Last time I met them in Seattle, they handed me a new project. I couldn't figure out how to hide the ridiculous things they wanted. It would've meant restructuring everything, and they wanted it donenow.They expected me to work miracles...or they wanted me to die.”

“That's why they were here tonight,” he said, giving a satisfied nod. “Every puzzle fits together real neat when you've got the right pieces.”

I nodded glumly. “They had a gun to my head. Told me I'd die if I didn't fix what they wanted tonight.”

New anger crossed his face. Dusty clenched my hand harder, brought it to his chest, and wouldn't let go.

“I'd kill the motherfuckers again for that, if I could. How many more are there? Where are they based?”

“Honestly, I don't know.” My stomach twisted as my worst nightmare came true, thinking about him and the club putting themselves in more danger just for me. “I usually met Dom out west, when I went back to Seattle for business. Please, don't do anything hasty. We need to figure out how we're going to keep everyone safe, first of all.”

“Darlin'...” He stood up, came over to me, and cuppedmy face in his big hand. “You've been through a fuck of a lot for a woman as smart and sexy as you, so I'm gonna give you one pass. Focus on resting up tonight, knowing you're safe. Stop worrying about the rest. I run my club, and I'll figure this out. Make sure those mafia cocksuckers never threaten anybody again.”

Suicide. That's what he was proposing. I heard it over and over in my mind while I looked into his eyes. This raging, arrogant, gorgeous man wasn't going to stop until he'd solved my problem once and for all. Not even if it killed him first.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I lied to you because I didn't want to putanyonein danger. This is my problem, Dusty. I can't live with myself if it ends up hurting you, or Firefly, or any of the men.”

“Wrong. Your problem turned into mine the second they started fuckin' with my girl. I'd be a sorry excuse for a Prez if I let any man rough up my woman, plus a brother's little sis. Far as I'm concerned, they fucked with club property. They fucked with what'smine.You ain't stupid, darlin'. You know how this goes. Whenever anybody fucks with the Pistols, we fuck back a hundred times harder. They're dead, first chance we get. How it happens, that's up to me. Not you, darlin'.”

I nodded, more tears rolling down my cheeks, into his hand. He brushed them all away, clearing a path to kiss me.

His lips brought me back to life. They forgave me, warmed me just as much as his words, the ultimate reminder that somebody actuallycared.

“Dusty...”

“Enough. Go clean up and sleep like I said. I'll post a prospect outside your room if you're too scared to sleep. Nobody's coming or going without me knowing about it.”

I shook my head. “No. I'm sure the men who died were the only ones here. And if they weren't, the Brotherhood won't be so stupid to come charging in a second time. I'll be fine.”

“I'll crash next to you when I can,” he said, pulling his hand away from me. “Too much work to do first. Gotta make sure this mess on your doorstep is finished before I do anything else.”

No argument here. Before I left him alone, I threw my hands over his neck one last time, standing on my toes to reach his glorious lips.

“I'll never forget this, Dusty. Obviously, this night would've been a whole lot happier if I'd just gone to the wedding and told you what was going on. But I think it might be pretty special, anyway.”

“Special?” He raised an eyebrow. “That what you call it when I pump a couple holes in the bastards who wanted you dead?”

“No, crazy.” I pushed gently against his chest. “Special because you saved my life. No one's ever done that before.”

And God willing, I hope they never have to again.I kept that thought to myself as I walked away, flashing him one more grateful look over my shoulder.

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