Page 39 of Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway
“No, I’ve moved to a room on this floor.”She tipped her head to the side, eyes tracking across his face. Shesnorted a quiet laugh at whatever she saw. “And yes, before youeven ask, it’s got a lock on the inside. I’m not sure why men withsuch honor believe others with the same are untrustworthy, but I’mnot going to argue.”
That question had been on the tip of histongue, but he just gave her a grin. “We cookin’ breakfast in themorning?” Most of the days he’d spent in Baker had all begun thesame as the first, with Marian out of bed before the rest of thehouse, and Einstein happy to assist in whatever she was making forfood.
The pillion motorcycle ride back to thehomesteads had done more than broken whatever remaining reticencehad her holding back. She’d gone from giving lip service abouttrusting him to giving him a glimpse into her bone-deep belief inhis goodness. He’d held on to that through long nights since, whenhis doubts of his worthiness surfaced. Regret at how he’d failed tosave Lauren and Makayla still bubbled along under his skin, butsomething about Marian’s explicit trust helped salve thewounds.
“Eggs and meat. One thing I’ve learned isthat Bane’s friends can eat copious amounts of meat.” She grinnedat him, then offered a shyer one to Retro. “Hello again.”
“Hey there, Maid Marian.” That had herrolling her eyes again, Gunny’s nickname for her still making herflush a delicate pink. “I’m going to head up. Assuming Myrt and theboys are already in bed?”
“They are.” Marian looked over her shoulderat a call from someone. “I need to go back and help out.” Shejabbed a thumb at the kitchen.
“Go see what they need. Just make sureyou’re safe and smart.” Einstein reached out and brushed a fingeracross the back of her hand. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Hewatched her walk away.
“She’s a good woman.” Retro’s words madeEinstein realize he’d blanked on the man. He turned and glanced atRetro’s face, surprised to find a puzzled expression there. “Lookslike you’ve got a good friendship brewing. Maybe somethingmore?”
His head jerked back. “What? No. Hell no. Wegot into a routine when I was here before and got familiar. Shehelps out so much, people don’t even realize, so I took on a littlebit of that for her. That’s all.” Suddenly uncomfortable, hereached for the doorknob. “I’m going to grab my bag off the bike.See you in the morning?”
“Yeah, brother.” Retro’s hand landed on hisshoulder, fingers gripping deep against the leather. “See youthen.”
Einstein fled the house. There was no otherword for it, and he was self-aware enough to own his actions.
No way.
Retro was wrong. What he held for Marianwere respect and friendship. When he’d first met her, she’d beenjust off her rescue, literally days from being under the thumb ofher father. It had been gratifying to watch as she gained even tinyamounts of self-confidence. The effortless way she trusted himafter the bike ride was a great memory, sure. Even if he’dsteadfastly ignored the physical feelings of her thighs on eitherside of his hips. Closeness was a necessity when riding double.Then, after he’d left Baker, when he’d called Bane’s house ithadn’t been to speak to her. There’d been business behind everysingle call, and he’d conducted that with Bane, as intended. Ofcourse, if she answered, they’d spend a while on the line, justtalking through their days, but that didn’t mean anything. Herseeking him out tonight didn’t mean anything either. Neither didhis desire to see her safe and cared for.
There isn’t anything else here.
Retro wasn’t wrong often, but he had beenwith his speculation tonight.
Einstein touched the front of his vest, theever-present hard plastic of the toothbrush safe in the insidepocket.
I love Lauren, doesn’t matter she’s gone.Love my girls.
Einstein leaned his ass against the seat ofhis bike, head bowed. With his eyes tightly closed, he worked topull up the memories that had at one time often swamped him.
Lauren’s terrified face, the gag painfullypulling at the corners of her mouth. The blanket-covered bodies onthe floor of the van in Florida. The day of the funeral, Lauren’smother and father audibly weeping while Einstein stood over thegraves as rain pattered down, as if even the sky cried for theloss. Those all came to him easily, raking their blades through hisinsides until he was bleeding and weak.
He pushed himself further, looking back towhen he’d first met Lauren. Those were still harder to surface, andthe most he could get was the soft expression on her face as sheheld their daughter for the first time. He fought for something,anything, unable even to come up with the feel of her skin againsthis.
Then his brain supplied the tender sensationof Marian’s hand, hot against his fingertips as he touched hergently.
His dick twitched.
“Fuck no.”
***
Marian
“Marian.”
Retro’s call surprised her, since she’d justleft where he’d stood with Einstein. Turning, she saw he was alone.She glanced at the stairs, expecting to see Einstein making his wayup them. Instead, it looked like he’d disappeared. Retro gestured,calling her over with a smile.
“Yes?” The dozen strides felt like a countrymile, taking forever, because she knew from Bane that this man hada high ranking in their world. A world she existed within in onlyan ancillary fashion, along the edges. “What can I do for you,Retro?” Through the months, she’d decided the complicated protocolof Bane’s world boiled down to two things. One, don’t approach aman who hadn’t initiated a conversation, and two, apply respect inevery interaction.
“Wondered if I could pick your brain for aminute.” Retro’s gaze on her was unwavering, his sharp eyes lockedon her face for some reason. “Einstein’s stepped outside for a bit.Will the door still be unlocked later, or should I text him to callhim back now?”
“With so many of the FRMC in attendance,it’s unlikely Bane will lock the door.” She gestured at the roombehind her. “Any of the members would be better to ask thanme.”
