The Fall of Rome by Beth Ciotta Read Free Book Online

using a padded footstool as a makeshift table, Rome frowned across the high-ceilinged parlor at Seth. “I’m not nervous. I’m concentrating.”
    He continued to manipulate the deck of cards--riffle, cut, faro shuffle, a strip, and another riffle. If he was going compete with cardsharps then he needed to practice his technique. He played poker for pleasure. He wasn’t a professional like Kat. She knew all the tricks--flashy moves, subtle moves. Reading body language and manipulating minds. Her knowledge of the craft had fascinated him, and he’d dogged her until she’d shared random tricks of the trade. In return, he’d taught her to ride. Turned out she was a better horsewoman than he was a gambler. Then again, back then he believed the sun rose and set with Katrina Simmons.
    At the sound of rustling paper, he glanced over at Seth. “Any mention of Brady?”
    The lawman peered over the wire rims of his reading glasses. “You read this newspaper front to back. Twice. You see any mention?”
    “Just wanted to be sure I didn’t miss anything.” He’d already missed plenty. Fed up with bad press, he’d steered clear of newspapers and dime novels for more than a week. He hadn’t read about Brady’s latest, deadly heist. Hadn’t heard about the woman murdered until London had filled him in. He’d felt like a damned idiot. He’d also acquired new reason and drive to crush the man he already loathed. Purging Kat from his heart was no longer his primary motivation for reuniting with the she-devil. But it would sure as hell be a bonus.
    Seth abandoned the newspaper and sidled up to a pine table draped with a cloth. He nabbed a crystal decanter and poured himself a brandy. “Want a drink? Might help you relax.”
    Rome noted his cocky grin. “Enjoying yourself?”
    “Seeing you squirm? You bet.”
    “Peddler robbed you when he sold you those spectacles, Wright. I’m sitting as calm as a toad in the sun.”
    “Uh-huh.” Seth raised his glass in a mock toast.
    “Cartwright stocks his house with premium liquor. He told us to make ourselves at home. Could be a long night. Athens and Miss Simmons are already overdue.”
    “Get used to it. Kat’s always late.” One of the things about her that drove him crazy, and not in a good way. Memories flashed--good and bad. He rolled back tight shoulders, shuffled, and cut. Seth was right. He was tense, not that he’d admit it. He eyed the decanter, craving a drink like air, but that pact he’d made with God five days ago was too fresh in his brain. What had he been thinking, bargaining away his bad habits?
    Seth settled in a plush chair, sipped brandy.
    “Have to give it to you,” Rome said, gesturing to the comfortably furnished room. “As a rendezvous point, this spread is first water.” Located east of Tucson in the lush foothills of the Rincon Mountains, the two-story Spanish-style residence was isolated but offered similar comforts to his childhood home. More rustic than the Napa Valley estate, but a mansion compared to the boomtown inns he’d been sleeping in since the Smith fiasco. “How do you know the owner?”
    “Matt Cartwright’s an old friend. Josh and I rode with him when we were Arizona Rangers. Turns out he’s independently wealthy. Doesn’t flaunt his money, but likes to live in style.”
    “I can see that.” In addition to favoring luxurious furnishings, the man employed a housekeeper and caretaker. Maderia, a plump, brown-skinned woman and her skinny-as-a-rail husband, Paco, had greeted them yesterday, seen to their needs, but otherwise made themselves scarce.
    “Last month Matt met a nice young lady. This month they’re celebrating their nuptials. So. How’d you meet Kat?”
    Rome’s lip twitched. “Smooth.”
    “I have my moments.”
    Conversation had been sparse on the journey from Gila Gulch to the Rincons. It’s not like he and Seth were friends by any stretch of the imagination. Though Seth had made it clear he was curious