Page 44 of Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway
“I won’t know what to do.”
“They’ll tell you, I’m sure. Don’t sweatit, Marian.”
“What if I mess up?”
“You will. It’s inevitable. Everyonemesses up. The difference is that you won’t be afraid to own it,and then will be all-in on fixing whatever it was.” Einsteingrinned down at the toes of his boots, shoulder propped against theoutside wall of a Montana bar. “You’re a fixer if I’ve ever metone. Ten’ll get you twenty that within a month they’ll be askingyou to work more hours.”
“I’m not taking that bet.”
“Because you know I’d win.” He chuckledquietly. “And that’s because you know I’m right.” A door opened tothe side, and he looked up to see the man he needed to talk towalking out of the building. “Shit, Marian. I gotta go. I’ll callreal soon and see how you did, but I’m not worried about it. Not atall, and neither should you be.” He straightened, glaring at theman while he kept his words and tone soft. “Sleep well, and do goodthings.”
Their history was filled with hundreds ofthose kinds of conversations, with the insecurity and need forreassuring eventually going both ways as Einstein found himselfopening up to her more and more.
“Tell me what’s new.” Socks still on asprotection against the chill of the floor, he wandered towards thekitchen, following behind Marian. He idly watched the way hernightgown swayed with every step, gaze trailing up her legs to thecurves of her ass. Then he realized what he was doing and yankedhis attention to the window, focused on the line of only slightlybrighter light along the horizon.Shit.Fumbling for atopic, he tried to remember what he’d last said to her, deciding ona safe, “How’s work been?”
Marian glanced over her shoulder with asmile, unaffected and sweet. “Work is work. I love it, but it’s notrocket science, so hasn’t changed since the last time you asked.” Atiny line appeared between her brows. “You okay? I didn’t expectyou in tonight—” She gave him a tight smile. “This morning. Usuallyyou call first.”
“I’ve got my tent. Girl, you know I can campout.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. Just usually Ihear from the boys that you’re on your way inbound. No chatter thistime means I’m wrongfooted on my welcome.” She turned, thecoffeemaker burbling behind her. “I’m glad to see you as always,Jim.”
That was a new development over the pastcouple of months. During one of their late-night conversations,he’d asked her to call him Jim, throwing it out as if it weren’timportant. It had become a deep regret, because in moments likethese, it meant she held more power than she knew.
“Marian, your welcome is always on point.”He shook his head, then felt the vibration of his phone. Draggingit from his pocket, he looked at the screen and frowned. “I need totake this.”
“I’ll just be in my room for a minute,” shesaid, already moving across the kitchen towards the shorthallway.
Einstein once again watched her walk away,gaze fixed firmly on her ass as it swung side to side with eachstep. He connected the call as she disappeared, then answeredgruffly, “What?”
“Man, I thought you should know.” Thewhining tone of this contact immediately set him on edge. “Heardhe’s on the move. Heard he’s in Kansas, aimin’ east at KC.”
“How did you hear?” Einstein considered thisparticular contact disposable, because he wasn’t known for theveracity of his information. Einstein had kept him active becausehe was sometimes useful for establishing the truth of someoneelse’s info.
“Heard from a man who knows Zipline. Zip wasplannin’ on bailin’ on the Silent Deaths, and Smoke pushed him outearly. Accepted his resignation with immediate ejection. Now Zip’sheaded to KC from the southern side, plannin’ on meetin’ in themiddle.” The pause between words was filled with the man’s puffingbreaths. “What’s it worth to ya to know what the topic willbe?”
“Dillweed, you know how this goes. We’vedone enough business that you already got a clue I won’t pay outfor anything I can’t verify.” He grabbed two mugs from the cabinetand poured coffee into each. “How do you expect me to verifysomething if you won’t finalize the details?” He took a spoon fromthe drawer next to the sink, measuring and stirring two overflowingspoonfuls of sugar into one of the mugs. “Gotta give me what Iwant, and then I decide if you get anything.”
“I don’t know why I call you with thisshit.”
“Because you know that if you do bring mesomething worthwhile, I’ll be fair with my money.” That was true,and the man understood it, because he’d been on the receiving endmore than once. “So spill. Why are Scar and Zipline going to meetup in Kansas City, where neither has allies or a friendly clubchapter to give him sanctuary?”
“Word is Zip isn’t happy with how the Machosare drillin’ into the SDMC profits. He wanted more cashola thanEstavez was willing to part with, and Smoke wasn’t holdin’ theline. Scar just wants more discontents to fill his ranks.” Thehuffing sounds slowed and deepened as if the man were holding hisbreath between. “Scar’s been looking for those stupid enough tostand behind him, and if he convinces Zipline, then he’ll have abase. He might be unwelcome on the East Coast these days, but thecenter of the country doesn’t have the same kind of memories.”
Opening the refrigerator, Einstein asked,“Why you think he’s unwelcome out there?” This was the firstconfirmation Einstein had that men loyal to Scar’s grandfathermight be breaking ranks with their exiled prince. If it were true,then that could have two outcomes. One, Scar would be lessdangerous, losing the leverage of his family line. He paused,creamer in hand.But the second might prove Scar more dangerous,as he’s pushed into a corner not of his choosing. “They’vealways held the door open for him.”
“Not anymore. I heard from a guy who knew aguy who knew Scar back in the day. They’re pissed he hasn’tproduced for them in so long, and they’re not likely to give him achance to reinvent himself.” A grunted laugh came through, thesound making Einstein wince, nearly spilling the cream as he poureda measured amount into the already sugared mug. “So whadda think?Worth anything?”
“I’ve got your number. Once I take a coupleof days to verify the info, I’ll give you a call. Hopefully we’llcome to an agreement.” He shoved the creamer back into therefrigerator and turned. Lifting the mugs one at a time, he placedthem on the kitchen island countertop. “Don’t call me back for thesame. But if you get more info, be sure to pass it along.”
“Will d—”
Call disconnected, he returned the phone tohis pocket and walked to the hallway. “Marian, you decent?” A softsound pulled him closer to the door to her room. It was openslightly, and he lifted a palm to push it wider, stopping in histracks.
Acres of bare skin greeted him as Marianbent over to drag a pair of delicate-looking dark red panties upher smooth, tanned legs. Her fingers settled the waistband intoplace just above the delicate curve of her ass, dimples still inclear view.Jesus God.
He must have made a sound, because her headwhipped sideways, wide eyes catching and holding his gaze as shereached out for her discarded nightgown. She lifted the garment asshe turned, keeping it in front of herself, the draping fabriceffectively blocking his view.
Einstein was breathing heavily, muscles ofhis jaw tense as he kept his gaze on Marian’s face. “I’m—you’re...”So fucking beautiful.“I just wanted to tell you thecoffee’s ready.” Whirling on his heel, he brushed past the door.“I’m so sorry.”
