Last of the Red-Hot Riders

by Tina Leonard

  “I do for my best customers.” Ivy’s eyes glittered. “But you’re not playing on my team, are you?”

  Cameron shrugged.

  “Sheriff, I think this whole matter is best forgotten, don’t you?” Ivy smiled languorously at him. “It’s not my fault someone misused his medication, any more than it’s Cameron’s fault that she can’t stay tied to Judy’s overly strict rules all the time, is it?”

  So Ivy’d thrown her under the bus to hold Steel hostage. Cameron felt ashamed that she’d put herself in a position to be used that way, so that Ivy could hurt Steel and Judy. Saint shot her a sympathetic look, but he clearly wasn’t happy with her, either.

  “It doesn’t work that way, Ivy. You know that.” Steel stood his ground as Ivy stepped closer to him, touched the star on his vest as an excuse to mold her hand against his chest. “Remove your hand, Ivy.”

  She did, to Cameron’s surprise.

  “It’s a shame you’re so blinded by my cousin, Steel. She has a lot of secrets, you know.”

  Cameron caught her breath. Surely Ivy wouldn’t give up Judy’s private secret. Steel would be devastated, knocked to his knees—and Ivy knew it.

  “Whereas all my secrets are in the open, Steel,” Ivy continued. “Everybody always knows where they stand with me. Can you say the same about Judy?”

  Suddenly Cameron realized that a crowd had packed around them, encircling them and blocking the door. Her scalp prickled at the unexpected press of men; she recognized several of the Horsemen, their faces menacing.

  Saint edged close to Cameron, took her hand. “Let’s go, Steel. We’ll wait for the coroner’s report and the autopsy before we say any more.”

  Steel didn’t seem inclined to leave. Cameron couldn’t remember a time the handsome love of Judy’s life had looked so grim.

  “Ivy, regardless of what the autopsy says, you and I both know you’re not running an establishment that’s obeying the laws of the state. I could cite you with any number of violations tonight, all of which would stick. And I’m sure if I looked hard enough, I’d find enough illegal drugs to see you behind bars for a while.”

  The bar went silent—but only for a second. A bottle flew, crashing against a wall. The Horsemen made their move, jumping on Saint and dragging Cameron away from him. But you didn’t grow up in a large family and not know how to hold your own. She smacked the daylights out of the man who had her by the arm—Fallon O’Rourke, Declan’s estranged twin brother—and gave him a swift kick with her boot for good measure.

  No one had laid a hand on the sheriff—except for Ivy. She’d cozied close up to him, keeping his attention on her. Jake the Snake Masters, the son of Wild Jack, who owned Wild Jack’s Training Center, was trying to get some punches off on Saint, who sidestepped them with ease. Which just made Jake madder, his punches more wildly off the mark. No doubt Jake had waited for months to get a little revenge on the Outlaws, especially after Trace had dispensed a bit of justice on him for roofying Declan.

  Cameron wasn’t worried about Saint—she was more concerned with keeping Ivy away from the sheriff—when she saw another Horseman, Rebel Wright, creeping up behind the Outlaw, a bottle in his hand. That wasn’t playing fair, so Cameron leaped onto Rebel’s back, wrapping her legs tight around his middle so he couldn’t dislodge her and covering his eyes with her hands. He reached back with the bottle to bean her, but Cameron knocked it from his hand and gave his hair a jerk to make him think twice about pulling that stunt again.

  That was about all she had in her quiver, so Cameron was happy to hear a female voice yell over the din, “Enough, Ivy!” and a resounding blast that put out one of the crystal sconces on the wall. Cameron swung around to see Judy, in all her silver puff-haired glory, standing in the doorway, tall and furious—and pointing a SIG Sauer handgun at another of the beautiful crystal-dripping sconces.

  “Call off your dogs, Ivy,” Judy said.

  “Holy shit, Judy! Do you always have to be so damn dramatic?” Ivy perched herself up on the bar. “Cool off, everybody. A round of drinks on the house for all!”

  People cheered and scrambled toward the bar, completely unconcerned now about anything except free liquor.

  “Honestly, Judy,” Ivy said, “you could take the fun out of a child’s birthday party. Sheriff, take the gun away from the mayor and arrest her. Firing a firearm for no good reason surely rates that.”

  Judy put her gun into what she called her big-ass handbag and glared at Ivy. “I can’t remember a child’s birthday party that included a dead body, Ivy. No one’s going to arrest me. And you know as well as I do why they’re not.”

  Because this was half her property, a fact Ivy probably didn’t want her customers to know. Cameron glanced at Saint. He shrugged, not wanting to get into the middle of a battle between the two big-haired beauty queens. But the fact was, the clientele here wouldn’t be too inclined to frequent an establishment that was half-owned by the mayor—not when they were coming here to have a good time just on the fringes of legal, and sometimes not even that.

  “Well, hell, Judy.” Ivy slipped off the bar and flounced over to her cousin, looking her up and down. “You never were any fun.”

  “I’m never going to be your kind of fun.”

  “So what brings you out here, then?” Ivy ran a hand up Steel’s arm, making Judy’s eyes bulge.

  “I have my spies, just the same as you, Ivy.”

  Ivy’s eyes glittered. “Are you saying you have a mole in my fine establishment?”

  “I wouldn’t call them moles. It doesn’t sound very nice, does it?” Judy smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Now, take your hand off the sheriff, or you’re going to draw back a few less fake nails.”

  “Always the drama queen.” Ivy flounced off with the Horsemen, highly peeved.

  Judy turned to Cameron. “You and I have some talking to do.”

  Cameron jumped. “Yes, Judy.”

  “In the morning. And I know you won’t be late.” She glanced at Saint. “I know exactly how she got out here. And I’ll be chatting with you about that as well.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Saint grinned at her. “It’s always good to see you, Judy.”

  Judy sniffed. “I’m taking my sheriff home. Good night to both of you. And get that mangy mutt into Dr. Jack first thing tomorrow, Saint. They say pets resemble their humans, and you’ve found the perfect stray for you.”

  Judy left, and Cameron let out a breath. “Holy crap, that was crazy.”

  Saint laughed. “No crazier than usual, I guess. You up for some boot-scooting?”

  Cameron stared at him. “Here?”

  “Well, apparently you’ve done it many times, right on this very floor.”

  Okay, he was laughing at her. He knew very well she was in big-time trouble with Judy, and had the nerve to rub it in. “I don’t know. That was then and this is now.”

  “So you’ve changed?”

  “Not necessarily.” She raised her chin. “I like to dance. I’m just not sure this is a good time.”

  He pulled her into his arms. “Nervous? Catfights make you edgy?”

  She rested her head against his chest. “That wasn’t entirely a ‘catfight.’ Not with the dead man and the other fun and games.”

  “It’s just another night in Hell.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she breathed in the scent of him hungrily. “So you were trying to protect me?”

  “No.” She wasn’t going to admit to that. She didn’t want him to know that she had a slight thing for him, him and his big muscles, his great smile, and his soft heart. “Just keeping an eye on the sheriff until the deputies arrived.”

  He laughed, not believing her, especially since the deputies hadn’t yet arrived, and Cameron changed the subject. “Should we still be here? Now that the sheriff and the deputies are gone?”

  “You mean, now that Judy’s gone. She’s the real equalizer to Ivy.” Saint moved his hand a little lower down her back, and Cameron’s
eyes widened. It felt great, him holding her so close.

  I could get really used to this. Easily.

  “We’re safe enough tonight. Ivy’s done with her shenanigans. She achieved what she was trying to accomplish.”

  “Which was?”

  “Stirring up trouble. And getting everyone’s mind off the corpse. And always, always getting under Judy’s skin.”

  That made sense. “We should go. I’m sure our little friend in the cruiser—oh, crap.” She looked up at Saint. “We rode out here with Steel. We have no ride, and no dog.”

  “He left me the keys to Judy’s truck. Believe me, she’s not letting go of the sheriff tonight. And she’ll take good care of the pooch.” He straightened, and she felt his muscles move along his back, which felt amazingly good. Masculine and strong. “She said that cur looks like me!”

  Cameron laughed. “Judy was just ribbing you because she’s annoyed. With you and with me.”

  “Yeah, well, I hate to tell you, but you’re on her team. I’m not. You’re going to be in deep tomorrow. And you have to tell her that Ivy turned us down flat for the parade and smooch booths.”

  Yeah. That was a bit of a problem. Especially after she’d found out Cameron had been spending time at the Honky-tonk under the radar.

  “If you wanted to go dancing, why didn’t you ask one of us to take you?”

  She closed her eyes as his hands glided a little lower, in a comfortable, nonsexual way. And she was comforted, drawn in by his low voice and sexy hands.

  “When Ava and Trace got married, that eliminated one of my running buddies, and then Michael came to live with Harper. She’s just happy to be with her son all the time, which is only natural.” She hated to sound lonely. “I didn’t ask any of you to accompany because I’m okay coming by myself. Anyway, it’s not bad out here usually. And I only stay a couple of hours.”

  “Judy’s going to light you up like a Christmas tree.”

  “I know. But I doubt it will stop me from coming.”

  He tipped her chin up, gazed down in her eyes. “You’re a bit of a rebel, aren’t you?”

  “I can take care of myself, Saint.”

  “Okay, okay—put your feathers down.” He smoothed her back. “I just hate to see you in trouble with the boss lady. I wouldn’t mind coming out here and shaking a leg with you from time to time.”

  “You’re busy with Outlaw stuff. Look,” she said, getting steamed, “don’t pity me. Don’t feel sorry for me. I know you think you’re trying to be nice, and you are, but you don’t have time to babysit me. I’m fine in Hell. I’m just no angel, is all. If that was what Judy was looking for, she didn’t get it.”

  “I’d say she didn’t. I definitely saw horns when you were on Rebel’s back. You about gave me heart failure.”

  “Don’t mind Rebel. He’s a dork, like all the rest of them.”

  He stopped moving, ending their slow dance as he tipped her chin up again. “He’s dangerous—just like the rest of them.”

  She squashed the inside of his boot. “I can take care of myself. I’m not looking for a father figure, thanks.”

  “Just trying to give some friendly advice.”

  She really didn’t want it. She wanted things she couldn’t have—like him coaching her to fight bulls. She wanted his mouth on hers—and she couldn’t have that, either, because it would screw their working relationship up totally. And without this job, it’d be back to Houston, and the houseful of siblings and extended family with more problems than this little town had. Cameron shook her head.

  “I’ve had enough dancing tonight.”

  He nodded, catching her drift. “Let’s go find Judy’s big-ass truck, then.”

  At the door, Cameron turned. “Hey, Ivy!” she yelled over the music, which ceased instantly.

  The beautiful woman turned, her two-toned mane catching the light under the chandelier. “Yes?” Ivy asked, her tone soft and slightly menacing.

  “You take Mayor Judy up on her offer to send some girls out to compete against hers in the kissing booths, and I’ll teach your girls to ride horses. Three months of free lessons. And that includes you, if you want them. I know Judy doesn’t ride, but maybe you’d like to learn.” The surrounding area fell deathly quiet at Cameron’s words.

  Ivy’s eyes narrowed. “And what makes you think that’s a valuable offer?”

  “Because I’m a damn good rider. Western, English, it’s all good to me. And your girls look like they could use some exercise of a different sort,” Cameron said.

  Ivy sucked in a breath. The Horsemen gathered around her.

  “Hey, we could train the girls,” Rebel said.

  “You could, but I’m reputable. And I’m also a better rider than any of you.” Cameron was confident of her riding skills—and training skills, too.

  “Would you care to test that?” Jake asked, his training center’s reputation at risk.

  “Cameron,” Saint said, his voice taut.

  “If you like. I’m up for a contest.” Cameron looked at the Horsemen. “Ivy and Judy will judge. And we’ll hold the contest before the parade.”

  “You’re trying to use my girls to bring in business for Judy’s stupid gumdrops-and-unicorns day,” Ivy said.

  “Wouldn’t hurt your business, either, Ivy.”

  Saint put his hand on her back. “We should probably go now while the deck is stacked in your favor,” he said, his voice low. “You’ve got the crowd eating out of your hand, and—”

  “Trick riding, to make it interesting,” Cameron said to the Horsemen. “You up for it?”

  Buck St. John laughed, along with his fellow Horsemen. “Are we up for it? We were born for it.”

  “Good. Then we’ll meet at the Outlaws Training Center the morning of the parade. Get your kinks out, gentlemen. You wouldn’t want to be beaten by a girl.”

  “No,” Fallon said slowly. “Not on parade day. Think it through, fellows. That’s a battle for another day.”

  “Cameron!” Ivy called.

  Cameron turned. “Yes?”

  “I’ll send three of my best ladies to the kissing booth nonsense Judy’s got going.”

  Cameron looked over at Ivy’s girls, who were watching with fascination. No one ever back-sassed Ivy. But they looked eager for riding lessons. Anything for a good time and some fun outside of the Honky-tonk, Cameron supposed. “You can only spare three girls for lessons?”

  Her girls pleaded with Ivy with their eyes. Ivy huffed. “All right. Four. But that’s my final offer! And they’re going to beat your team, hands down!”

  “Cameron,” Saint said, “there are only two of you who can do any kissing. You and Harper will be saddled with kissing every slob that comes into town.”

  She looked at him. “Judy? Hattie? Madame Chen?”

  He shook his head. “No way.”

  “Well, four against two will make things interesting,” Cameron said, shrugging. “I like my chances.”

  She thought he muttered something like, “That’s what scares me,” but wasn’t sure. She let Saint steer her out the door, pleased that Ivy and Judy weren’t the only ones who could stir up trouble.

  She did a fine job on that score herself.

  “What was that all about?” he demanded, helping her into Judy’s big-ass silver truck.

  “My equestrian center,” she said, her voice a little dreamy. “One day, I’m going to have an equestrian center where I can have kids—lots of kids, but especially ones who have health challenges—come and spend their days with my beautiful horses and my sweet dogs and adorable cats.”

  Saint started the truck. It roared to life, and he fixed his eyes on her. “That’s the dream?”

  She nodded. “That’s why I’m in Hell.”

  He let out a long breath, drove off down the two-lane highway. Cameron wished she could scoot across the seat, put her head on his shoulder as he drove. But she couldn’t.

  There was far too much at risk, and getting somet
hing started could only make everything worse. She knew that.

  But it had felt so good being in his arms as they’d danced. More than good—like being with him was something she’d been missing all her life.

  —

  Saint dropped Cameron off at the Honeysuckle Bungalow, not even allowing himself to dream about a good-night kiss. She had to be up early and at the training center, where she would get blessed out by Judy first thing. A man didn’t try to work in a good-night kiss when he knew that he was the main reason the woman in question was up to her cute boots and sweetly shaped ass in trouble. He watched Cameron go inside, then sped off in a hurry, drained after everything that had happened today.

  Hanging around Cameron was like living in a washing machine wringer. Her mind operated at warp speed, which kept him on edge. Or maybe he was on edge around her because he was so damn attracted to her—something he was going to have to rectify in a hurry. A man couldn’t go around all the time mooning after something he simply couldn’t have.

  And after tonight, it was clear he couldn’t have Cameron. First of all, soft as she might seem, she had a crazy, brave side to her, and she wasn’t afraid to use it to get what she wanted. That was fine on the face of it, but it was only a matter of time before she pulled an Ava and went up north to train. Cameron had the guts and the will to do it. He knew it would happen eventually, because she was fully and longingly aware that Ava had actually gotten to train, and then to bullfight, in Montana.

  The only way to keep her here would be to train her himself.

  And it would be a very, very cold day, an ass-freezing cold day in Hell, before he would train Cameron to get in an arena with a horned animal that might take a chunk out of her sexy body, a body which kept him awake most nights and probably would tonight, too.

  And as anybody knew, cold days didn’t happen all that often in Hell.

  In fact, they never happened.

  Which is a damn fortunate thing for me.

  Then again, it would be a great way to spend a lot of quality time alone with Cameron.

  And that was exactly why he had absolutely no intention of ever raising his hand for the job.