Lawless by Emma Wildes Read Free Book Online Page A

useless. If he’d had the slightest inkling Holbert was going kill everyone in the bank that fateful morning, he’d have stepped in earlier. That he’d been too late to save those people was just one of those things he would have to live with forever.
    “Forgive the familiarity. I sometimes forget my manners.” He finally remembered the flask in his hand and decided a cautious drink might be in order.
    As he tipped it to his mouth, she murmured, “I didn’t mind, actually.”
    The reason he choked wasn’t entirely the harshness of Gabe’s home brew There was a lot more to the man sitting across from her than she knew and she’d sensed it from the terrifying moment she learned his identity. The icy calm exterior hid the inside core and the more time she spent in his company, the more she realized she had no idea who he really was.
    The cold, heartless gunman was somewhere in there, because she’d seen it. The moment he’d offered the gang the money for her and slid off his horse, she’d known—as had they apparently—he was willing to kill to get what he wanted. However, it was a 38
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    Lawless
    little hard to reconcile this was the same man who had treated her with nothing but polite courtesy since they’d ridden away from the camp.
    Not to mention that bone-melting kiss.
    It had started as an attempt to prove some absurd point, she knew that. To show he was as unworthy of trust as any of his ruffian cohorts, but when his mouth had actually touched hers, she’d felt he’d been as lost in the sensation as she was mesmerized by the tender warmth of it.
    No man who could hold and touch a woman at his mercy with that amount of gentleness was evil. More to the point, she had a feeling that something was going on under the surface that explained his involvement with both the River Bend Outfit and men like Gil Holbert. After three long days in his company, she knew enough about Cal Riker to guess he detested men like them.
    He wouldn’t ride with them by choice, or for money.
    Then…why?
    “Are you playing some game?” The question was spontaneous and she should never have asked it. Perched on the side of the bed, she clasped her hands in her lap and looked at him.
    His face—so perfect in detail with its chiseled masculine lines—smoothed into that mask she’d seen before. Gray eyes glimmered in the firelight. “Excuse me?”
    “I’m naturally curious.”
    “Well, get uncurious.” He tipped the flask to his mouth again but she knew he didn’t take more than a very small swallow.
    Gabe glanced first at her and then at Cal and his broad face lit with a small smile.
    “You can’t fool everyone, son. Appears she’s one of those who sees through you.”
    “I am going to ask you to shut up a second time, Gabe.” Cal capped the flask and thrust it back at his friend. Tall and lean, he stood and gave a small theatrical stretch, sleek muscles moving under his plain shirt. The firelight made his blond hair gleam with rich color and put shadows under his finely modeled cheekbones. “I’m going to hit my bedroll. I suggest you do the same, Miss Daniels.”

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    Emma Wildes
    “Call me Laurel.”
    “Goodnight.” He stalked from the room in a low jingle of spurs, but not before he sent a warning look at his friend.
    The door shut behind him with a soft thud and the faint drift of night air.
    The older man chuckled. “You got him rattled. I haven’t seen that in a long time.”
    “I don’t see how you can tell,” Laurel said with feeling. “He’s about as emotional as a rock.”
    “Don’t let him trick you into thinkin’ that, miss. Cal’s deep. It’s part of his problem.
    He feels everything a sight too much and it all eats at him. Considering how he stuck his neck out for you, I’m sure you at least understand a little bit what I’m saying.”
    She would never forget the tone of his cool voice or the sound of the bag of money hitting the