Page 76 of Devil's Marker

“You live here?” Sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a tissue in her hand, she looked around like she might mean there as in her apartment.

“In town, yes. Recently.”

It took a while for her to process the deception and come to terms with the fact that his club status was fake, but his feelings were real.

“What do you do for the club?” she asked.

“Investments.”

“You mean like stocks?”

“Yes. Like that.”

“Shut up.”

“Seriously.”

“Well, that explains why you look so good in a sports coat.”

He laughed. “It explains that, does it?”

“My Pop’s gonna be pissed at you,” she said.

“Not if I’m responsible for gettin’ this cleared up.”

“You’ve got a point.” She looked at him. “It’s really gonna be okay?”

He smiled. “It really is.”

EPILOGUE

With tugs on the right network strings, enough money greasing enough palms, and the help of Ranger Russell, the Marauders were charged with no crimes. Those who were injured recovered fully with the exception of Cowpie, who might have a slight limp. Forever.

Boss made a trip to Austin to meet with Brant at the SSMC clubhouse. He brought his V.P., Zipper, and Cue, who didn’t have an official title. The three of them met with Brant, Brand, and Brash. Win waited impatiently for the treaty talk. When Brash stepped to the door and called him in.

Win’s eyes met Boss’s. He’d half expected Boss to pull a pistol, but after a few uncomfortable seconds, Boss started laughing. After looking at each other for hints of a clue, they all decided to wait.

When Boss stopped laughing, he said, “You didn’t really think I believed that cockamamie story about transferring from the Huns.”

Win looked uncertain, but eventually found his voice. “Uh, yeah. I did.”

Boss shook his head and tsked. “How many times did I tell you I’m always a step ahead.” He put his palms flat on the table in front of him. “Gut told me you meant my club no harm and gut’s never wrong. So I decided to let it play out. Let you have the run of the place. Didn’t hold anything back except for how I planned to handle S&B. Even took you to the meeting as part of my inner circle. From what Catcher told me, was a good thing I did. ‘Cause of you, he’s alive. Least that’s how I heard it.”

Win didn’t deny that, which was confirmation of a sort. He’d been given full immunity by one of the Rangers’ living legends before he’d ever pointed his gun. So at least he hadn’t had the hassle of legal wrangling for himself.

At that point, it wasn’t in Win’s best interest to be dubious, but he felt like his spy skills were being disparaged. “And I suppose you knew I was in love with your daughter.”

“Son,” Boss said. “You wouldn’t have to be me to figure that one out. Shit. Even Cowpie knew and that’s sayin’ somethin’. Why do you think I made her take you shoppin’ the day after she fucked up your face? Knew you were the one for her right away.”

“That is bullshit,” Win was shaking his head, looking from Boss to Zipper, who shrugged, and Cue, who smiled at Win indulgently like he thought Win was an idiot.

“Look here, recruit,” Brant decided to step in. “It’s not like you’re after a career with the C.I.A. All’s well that ends well and all that.”

Win took a moment to review and realized that he was losing sight of his goal, which was to come to an amicable understanding with Boss so that R.C. would have one less reason to object to a future with Win.

“So you’re sayin’ we’re good?” Win ventured.

Boss smiled that smile that said, “You’re on my good side, I’m the best friend you could have. You’re on my bad side, start the countdown to a reality you’re not going to like. At all.”

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