An Outlaw to Protect Her

by Harper St. George

  In the early morning hours, once he’d realized that he’d never get back to sleep, he’d turned on the lamp and started sketching a rose. With Glory’s rose scent surrounding him, the premonition his aunt had shared with him as a child refused to leave him alone. He’d hoped the sketch would work as a reminder—one more reason he couldn’t have Glory—but it had somehow come to represent her as he’d drawn. Each petal had become another layer of the woman who haunted him. Another way for him to caress the curves that had been denied him.

  She had very good reason for keeping him away. She was obviously frightened of men. Last night she’d told him that someone had hurt her—that a man had hurt her—and he had a very good hunch that it was the man from whom she’d run. The man who was now hovering at the edges of her hard-won security and threatening it. Zane had never despised anyone he hadn’t met as much as he despised him. He needed to focus on finding that man and setting things to rights for her, instead of dreaming about her naked.

  When he’d been around ten years old, Zane had helped his father track down a man who had been smuggling guns to his mother’s people. His mother had been dead for a few years by then and it was from the bullet of a gun that man had smuggled to them. Zane had never met the smuggler, but he’d hated him. At night, he’d lie awake staring up into the stars, planning all the many ways he wanted the man to die. He’d hated him with all the venom in his ten-year-old heart.

  This eclipsed that. Even as a child, Zane had known deep down that his hatred had been misplaced. His mother had died because the rifle had malfunctioned. It had been an accident, nothing more sinister, but Zane’s life had changed forever. Not only had he lost his mother, but he’d been sent to live with the father he barely knew. All that anger had been funneled into hatred for the man who’d supplied the guns, but the gunrunner hadn’t really been responsible for her death.

  This man, however, had purposely harmed Glory, and his specter hung over her constantly, promising more harm. Whatever he’d done to her, it had been compounded over the years by the fear of discovery. The man deserved what was coming to him when Zane caught him.

  His gaze narrowed on the woman who walked in front of him. Today she was wearing a stylishly cut, bourbon-colored gown that emphasized her narrow waist and the flare of her hips. Her small frame made her seem tiny and fragile compared to him. He imagined that if he held her waist his fingers would easily meet. What sort of bastard would harm her? The thought of it caused him to clench his jaw so hard that the sound of his teeth gritting caught her attention and she gave him a glance over her shoulder. He vowed to find the sender of that damned letter. And then, whether she agreed or not, he’d find the bastard that had her living in fear.

  The hall in the servants’ area was neatly kept but without the extravagance of the front of the house. The floors were covered in simple rugs and the walls in pale yellow wallpaper. It was homey and cheerful here, without the heaviness of formality. They turned the corner and a glance confirmed there was already a wait for the bathing chamber shared with the tenants at this end of the hall. Some of the servants lived in town, but many preferred to stay on the property. Zane had been given a small, well-appointed room on this end of the second floor.

  Digging the key from his pocket, he stepped around her and unlocked the door to his room. When she would’ve waited for him in the hall, he grabbed her arm and tugged her inside the room.

  “Surely you don’t think I’ll be accosted in the hallway?”

  Zane didn’t know what he thought, but he wasn’t taking chances with what he’d learned about her past. The bastard could have paid any one of the servants for information about her. What was to stop him from paying them to bring her to him? His movements were jerky with suppressed anger as he grabbed extra clothes from the bureau opposite the foot of the bed. Anger was his only refuge from the desire pounding through him. If he could think about finding that man, then he wouldn’t think of how good she’d feel under him.

  “You’ll be safer with me,” was the only explanation he offered her.

  She sighed dramatically, but he wasn’t interested in arguing with her again today. “Are you really planning to shadow my every movement?” Her voice came from right over his shoulder so he turned to face her.

  “Unless you’re with Able, if that’s what it takes to keep you safe.”

  She gave him a quick once-over. “Then we really need to get you some new clothes.”

  He looked down at his clothes. Thanks to his years with the Reyes Brothers, he was able to afford quality clothing. His breeches and shirts were custom-made, not the ranch hand quality clothing that could be purchased ready-made on the shelves of a general store. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

  “Nothing.” She gave a shrug of her delicate shoulder. “But we have standards at Victoria House. You need a waistcoat and matching coat at the very least.” She looked back down again. “And you need proper shoes, not boots.”

  “These are quality leather,” he said, rolling his foot from one side to the other to show off his boots. They were the single most expensive item of clothing he’d ever purchased, but they’d been worth it. Rain or snow, they’d held up well and kept his feet dry.

  “It’s not the quality but the style. If you’re going to be seen at Victoria House lurking behind me, then you need to be dressed like a gentleman not a...a...”

  “A gunslinger?” He smirked, filling in the blank.

  “Exactly.” The smile she gave him was so bright that he blinked, momentarily stunned by how beautiful she was. He was always aware of her beauty, but sometimes it would catch him by surprise all over again.

  “I doubt I’ll be here long enough to warrant a brand-new wardrobe.”

  “Of course not, but I’ll set up an appointment with Able’s tailor for this afternoon. He must have a suit that he’s been working on for Able that he could alter for you.”

  Zane shook his head. “No, thank you. I don’t need another reason to have Able dislike me.”

  She laughed, seeming strangely lighthearted when compared to how grumpy he felt after his sleepless night. “I’m sure he’ll understand, but I agree. He really doesn’t like you. What did you ever do to anger him anyway?”

  After his brief discussion with Able two nights ago, he realized now that it was Able simply being overly protective of her. Even a fool could sense Zane’s interest in her, and since Able knew her past, he knew they wouldn’t suit. In some ways, Zane had begun to understand Able’s position and he could appreciate his protective instinct. After the way she’d run last night, Zane knew that he should listen to him, but he also knew that he couldn’t stop this attraction between them. Instead of answering, he shrugged.

  “And don’t worry about the cost. You’re working for me so I’ll pay for it.”

  “I can pay for it.” He frowned, disliking the fact that she thought he couldn’t. True, he didn’t have the sort of wealth that would afford a mansion like this, but his work with the Jamesons had been lucrative. He’d be set up for a few years.

  She didn’t seem to be paying attention as something about the sparse room had caught her attention. Aside from the bureau and the bed, it held a single bedside table and a washstand. “I just realized how much you must be sacrificing to stay on here for a while longer.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Only that you must be looking forward to getting home soon. This room leaves a little to be desired when it comes to the comforts of home.” She met his gaze again and he realized how little they knew of the other’s life.

  “I don’t...” He cleared his throat, uncertain why the admission was so difficult. “I don’t have anywhere to get home to.”

  “Oh?” Her expression was so stunned he felt the need to explain.

  “I was working at the Reyes hacienda when it was burned down. When Cas decided on revenge, well, let’s
just say I had my own reasons for wanting revenge too.” She glanced at his scar and he gave a curt nod, unwilling to go into the story. He didn’t see a reason to bring Christine’s name up between them. “We’ve been sleeping in boardinghouses and under the stars ever since.” Not counting the few brief times they’d sought refuge at the Jameson Ranch outside Helena. He had his own room there, but it had never been his home. Hunter had mentioned him staying on there now that their hunt for Derringer was over, and Zane supposed it had been assumed that he would. Though he’d never made the conscious decision.

  Now that he thought about it, he wasn’t entirely certain where his life would go from here. Before he’d landed at the hacienda, he’d been wandering from job to job. Before that he’d spent a childhood traveling with his father, a trader, from reservation to reservation. Sometimes he’d spend the summer with his mother’s people, but he wouldn’t go back to the reservation permanently. It didn’t feel like home.

  “Then you must be looking forward to starting your life again.” She gave him a smile that was incredibly understanding, and he didn’t quite know what to do with it. The woman had every right to judge him. Here he was, a humble suitor with nothing to offer a woman like her, who had every physical comfort she could want.

  “I’m looking forward to not having Derringer at my back.”

  She grinned at that. “Unfortunately, I know just what you mean.” She was teasing him. Her own shadow of menace still lurked and she could tease him with it.

  The woman was amazing. They were far more similar than they were different. While he couldn’t offer her physical things, he could offer her protection. He could put a stop to that lingering danger hanging over her. “I’ll get rid of him, Glory. Tell me who he is and I’ll make certain that he never harms you.”

  “I wouldn’t take my danger and make it yours.” Her smile fell, but she held his gaze. Her hazel eyes were wide and solemn.

  “It’s not your choice. I’m staying until this is over.” He meant it. In that moment he resolved that this wouldn’t stop with finding the sender of the letter. He couldn’t leave her until he knew that her past was well and truly in the past.

  Shaking her head, she said, “This is only about the letter. I won’t have you in danger because of me.”

  “I do what I want.” Maybe this was his new calling. He’d right the injustice done to her, whatever it had been.

  The warmth of her palm pressing against his chest surprised him. He found himself wanting to lean into it, craving more of her touch.

  “Please don’t, Zane. I want you to stay safe.”

  Her touch didn’t surprise him nearly as much as the sound of his name coming from her lips. He immediately wanted to hear it again. He wanted her to whisper it in his ear as he pushed inside her. He clenched his fist against the urge to hold her against him. It wasn’t what she needed from him right now. “I know how to take care of myself.”

  “Glory? You about ready for our meeting?” Able’s voice came from the open doorway.

  She jerked away as if she’d been unaware of how closely they’d been standing. “I’m ready.” She smiled at Able.

  Able gave him a surly look, but didn’t say anything more. Zane knew that they met every morning to go over plans for the day. Able then stayed with her until his duties called him to man the front door in the early evening.

  She surprised Zane again when she turned back to him, this time holding out the key to her apartment. “Feel free to use my bathing chamber. It looks like the one down the hall is a little busy.”

  He took it. The heat from her body had warmed the metal, so he savored that warmth in his palm. At least he’d earned her trust. “I’ll need to interview your staff again today, in case I missed something.”

  “Between the two of us, we’ve covered them all,” Able said. Disapproval turned the corners of his mouth down.

  “I plan to keep talking to them until we have something to go on.” He couldn’t accept that no one knew anything. Turning his attention back to Glory, he added, “Especially Charlotte. I’d like to start with her.”

  She nodded in resignation. “I’ll let her know to expect you.”

  Chapter Ten

  Not only had Zane spent the previous night thinking about Glory and the future they couldn’t have, he’d spent it going over all the information he had about the letter. He replayed every conversation he’d had with her staff the day before, looking for anything he’d missed and coming up with a plan for following up today. Because he wasn’t allowed to reveal the reason for his questions—that Glory had received a threatening letter—he’d felt the interrogations had been less than thorough. Despite how Glory felt about revealing that vital piece of information, Zane knew that it was necessary.

  Today he needed to focus on Charlotte and what she knew about that letter.

  The third floor wasn’t a main area where patrons were allowed, but there were enough women coming and going to their rooms at various times during the day that it would be unlikely someone would have the time to pick the lock without being seen. Of course it wasn’t impossible for a professional. By all accounts, no one had seen or heard anything coming from her study during the window of time the letter had been left. Also, the study window looked out over the street, so no one could have come in through that way without being seen. Either the person who’d left it had been a clever thief with experience picking locks or Charlotte knew something about it. She was the only person with intimate knowledge of Glory’s activity. It was possible she’d somehow gained access to Glory’s study.

  Locking the door to Glory’s suite after his quick bath, he stopped at the entrance to Charlotte’s office. He’d heard her arrive a few minutes ago and he paused to study the girl. She couldn’t be more than twenty with an almost skittish demeanor. She seemed harmless and loyal to Glory, but he’d learned early on to never underestimate anyone.

  Rapping his knuckles against the open door to announce himself, he said, “Mind if I speak with you again?” They’d spoken briefly the day before, but he hadn’t had enough information then to ask the right questions.

  She glanced at the empty hallway at his back. “All right. I believe Glory has already gone downstairs.”

  “I know. I wanted to talk to you.”

  She nodded, straightening some papers on her desk and smoothing a strand of dark hair back in place.

  He couldn’t understand if her nerves were because of her guilt or because of his size. Both could be likely. To put her at ease, he moved slowly and deliberately, folding himself into the single chair opposite her desk. “I know we spoke yesterday, but I thought of a few more questions.”

  She gave him a tremulous smile. “Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can.”

  “Good, I know we both want what’s best for Glory.” He took his time, studying her, not getting to the point, in an effort to see what she’d say in the meantime. Sometimes waiting was all it took to get necessary information.

  “Wh-what’s happened? I know you said yesterday that you couldn’t go into detail, but if something has happened I’d like to know. Is Glory in danger?”

  He thought the concern on her face was genuine, so he gave a brief nod, giving her bread crumbs. “We think it’s possible.”

  Visibly upset, she ran her hand down her face. He sat forward, watching her closely. “Have you thought of anything else since yesterday?”

  She shook her head. “No, nothing. It’s like I told you. That day was like any other. I didn’t see anyone up here who didn’t belong here. There was nothing out of place in my desk. Nothing was disturbed.”

  “And no one else has a key to this room?”

  “No, no one.” She shook her head emphatically, her brow furrowed as if to convince him. “Can you at least tell me why you need to know? What’s happened?”

  Zane took a bre
ath, knowing that what he was about to do was against Glory’s wishes, but it couldn’t be helped. He needed to reveal the letter if they wanted answers. “There was a letter—” Before he could say more, her face crumpled.

  “Oh, my God!” She dropped her face into her hands and her shoulders started to shake. “I knew it. I knew I should have done it. I thought it was odd, but he seemed harmless enough.” Her eyes were reddened and bright with unshed tears when she raised her head. “Please believe me. I didn’t know there’d be any harm.”

  Zane stayed very still, keeping his expression neutral until he could get to the bottom of what she was saying. “What should you have done?”

  She shook her head. “I thought he was an admirer. She gets those sometimes. Men like to send her gifts or notes. Usually they deliver them to the house and Able gets them first and sends them up. But this man—God, I don’t even know his name—he found me downstairs. I suppose he’d seen me talking to her. I’m not certain why he singled me out. He tried to give me a letter and asked me to deliver it to her in private. I knew that she’d be busy for the rest of the night, and I wouldn’t have a chance to see her so I told him no.” She covered her face again. “Was the letter important? Should I have taken it?”

  Zane believed that she wasn’t in league with whoever this stranger was. She probably had thought that it was a simple note of admiration that at its worst was attempting to arrange a meeting with Glory. “And this happened the day before yesterday?”

  “Yes.” She nodded eagerly. “Early evening, I suppose. There was an early dinner rush because Mrs. Roarke was performing later and there were more men in town who’d arrived early for the faro tournament. We were so busy. Please tell me I was correct in not taking it. Was it important? Was it from her family?”

  Relatively certain that she was telling the truth, he tried to soothe her concern. “It was important but he found another way to get the letter to her. We’re trying to figure out who the man was so we can find him,” he said, taking out his sketchbook from his coat pocket to make notes.