Page 70 of Devil's Marker

She wheeled on him with eyes sparking like dragon fire. “DON’T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT AGAIN AS LONG AS YOU LIVE, WIN GARRETT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?” When Win only laughed in response, she said, “I’M NOT KIDDING!”

“Simmer down. I agree that I won’t call you that unless you irritate me past the patience of a dead man.”

The gate guard at R.C.’s building wouldn’t let them into the parking garage without the official sticker for the car. R.C. was exasperated by that, but Win felt good about their level of distrust.

“You’ll have to go around to the front, Ms. Greer. Sorry.”

When they pulled up in front, Win said, “Want to see your place, but it’s gonna have to wait. Boss man said to hightail it back.”

“You gonna be careful?” she asked.

“Don’t wanna die if that’s what you mean.”

She threw herself across the console separating the bucket seats into a kiss goodbye. He didn’t want to let her go any more than she wanted to see him drive away.

She ran her hand over his jaw. He hadn’t shaved in a day and, even though his beard was a light golden color, it was visible. “Like the scruff.”

Win smiled. “Go on now.” That sounded a little more breathless than he intended. “I’m gonna watch you go inside. You do what your pop said. Don’t come out again until he tells you. Okay?” She nodded. “Shortly behind gettin’ that call, I’m gonna be here for you.”

She nodded again, clutched her big purse to her chest and got out of the SUV. “Promise?”

“Arcy. There aren’t enough angels in heaven or demons in hell to keep me away.”

She smiled, but her eyes went that deep bayou green and liquid.

Christ. How could a man fall so hard so fast?

As promised, he watched her speak to the doorman. She slipped inside, but not casting a look back over her shoulder, that reminded him of that first night in the clubhouse as she left with her childhood friend, Robin.

On the drive back to Waco he pondered how life could be strange. He didn’t believe in ‘meant to be’ crap, but did mull over the fact that he’d soon be returning to Austin having connected with a guy who offered unexpected friendship and a woman who looked a lot like the future.

When Win stepped back into the clubhouse, he did so with caffeine shakes and not a prayer of falling asleep anytime soon. Bo was behind the bar, but he was the only person in sight.

“What’s goin’ on?” Win asked.

“Everybody’s been busy gettin’ the families in house.”

“Where’s Boss?”

“Think he was sleepin’ for a little while. Might be in the office now.”

“Okay. Takin’ a shower if somebody needs me.”

Win took a shower, changed into clean clothes, but still felt too wired to sleep. So he went searching for information on new developments.

When he peeked down the hallway that led to security, he saw that Boss’s door was open. He knocked on the jamb.

“Package has been delivered.”

Boss looked up. “Good. Takes a load off my mind. Soon as all the families are in, we’ll move on to Phase 2.”

“What’s that?”

“Members met while you were travelin’. Made some decisions about what to do with Stars and Bars. I cast your vote by proxy. Knew it would be okay with you.”

Win smirked. “Thanks.”

“Anytime. We’ve decided their presence can no longer be tolerated. The only acceptable outcome is exile.”

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