The Fall of Rome by Beth Ciotta Read Free Book Online Page A

about Kat, Rome had evaded his questions. Now that she was due, make that overdue, it seemed pointless to skirt issues that would no doubt resurface during this mission. Still and all, discussing details exceeded his comfort level.
    He set aside the deck of cards, eased back, and propped his feet on the stool. “How much did London tell you?”
    “Not much.” Seth nursed his brandy while waiting for Rome to relay his story. When he didn’t, Seth prodded. “I know your relationship ended badly. Bulls-Eye Brady was to blame.”
    He pulled a cheroot from his vest pocket, struck a match. “London would tell it that way.”
    “Meaning you blame Miss Simmons.”
    “Meaning I blame Kat and Brady equally.”
    “Huh.”
    Rome blew out a plume of smoke, grateful he hadn’t mentioned tobacco in his pact. “If you’ve got something to say, say it.”
    Seth took off his reading specs and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Just think it’s interesting that you’re holding a grudge after all this time. Especially given your own loose morals.”
    He referred, of course, to the Smith affair. “Passing judgment?”
    “Making an observation.” He set aside his spectacles and moved to the window.
    Rome sat and stewed. He didn’t want to see the logic in that.
    “She’s here.”
    A nerve jumped in his cheek. Rome stood, puffed the cheroot, and eyed that brandy. He’d had five days to prepare. It may as well have been five minutes. Last time he’d seen Kat, he’d spewed ugly, hurtful words. His last exchange with Boston hadn’t been as explosive, but the fallout had been the same. He knew an apology and a joke would mend bridges with his brother. He didn’t know what he wanted to do about Kat, aside from purging her from his being.
    Trouble was, there’d never been closure. He might’ve cooled off, might have forgiven her, if she’d bothered to ask forgiveness, which she didn’t.
    “I know in my heart, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
    That’s when he’d broken. Engulfed in a red haze of fury and hurt, he’d called her god-awful names and damned her to hell. Instead of fighting back, she’d shut down. He’d stormed out of the hotel room and later that day, she’d blown out of his life. With Brady.
    Not long after he heard rumors that she deserted that bastard, too. Rome clenched and unclenched his fists, wondering how many men she’d seduced and grown bored with over the last few years.
    Seth moved to the front door.
    Rome stood his ground. He stuffed down tumultuous emotions. Did she ever think of him? The first time they kissed? The first time they played poker? The first time they rode double?
    He slipped a hand in his pocket, fingered his treasured coin. He wasn’t superstitious precisely, but he was--to his detriment--sentimental.
    For chrissakes, Garrett, you’ve faced down countless outlaws. You can sure as hell weather one deceitful woman.
    Wary, but curious, he joined Seth on the shaded porch. A Texas buggy, sturdy and reliable, bumped and rolled over rough terrain, pulled by two harnessed horses. Athens was at the reins. Kat sat beside him. Even though he couldn’t see her face clearly yet, he recognized her flamboyant style.
    A free-spirited woman who’d grown up in theatrical and gambling circles, Kat drank and cussed like a man, but she dressed like a well-to-do lady with an adventurous streak. She’d never been one to hide her bountiful curves and cleavage and, like the actresses she admired, she utilized face paint to accentuate her stunning features. She was, in his estimation, unique.
    “Beautiful,” Seth said with a note of awe.
    “Aren’t you married?” Rome snapped, feeling protective of Emily and possessive of Kat.
    “I was talking about the sunset.”
    He crushed his cheroot beneath his boot, glanced at the desert sky, a wash of orange, purple, and red. He looked back to Kat, thinking he’d rather drink his fill of her.
    The buggy rolled to a stop. Paco appeared out of nowhere