“No secrets between us, okay? You need to understand that you can trust me—with everything. Maybe you don’t get that yet, but you will.”
Everything? I don’t trust easily anymore, not since he walked out on me. But now he looks at me like I’m his everything. He makes me feel like I am—like he’d do anything for me, like he’d have my back no matter what, which is crazy because he’s been gone from my life for so long. He was once my everything. I’ve never had anyone look at me like he does.
“Do you trust me, Six? I need to hear you say that you do.”
I turn my head. I can’t bear to look into his eyes and lie to him, and I’m not sure I can tell him the truth. It’s too soon. Everything was so good. It’s too soon to bring it crashing down.
A firm hand grips my chin, making me look back at him.
His eyes soften around the edges. What is it about this man that has me melting inside every time he looks at me? It’s like I can’t hide from him.
“C’mere.” He drops into the chair and tugs me onto his lap.
His long body is relaxed back, his face within the fringes of the dancing firelight. He absently rubs a forefinger across his mouth. But it’s the troubled darkness within those hooded eyes that shows he’s not as peaceful as he appears.
I lean against him, and we watch the fire. It crackles in the stone hearth, radiating heat. Outside the cabin, the wind blows, rattling the windows.
His arms stroke my back. “Where’d you go tonight?”
“The garage.”
I feel his body stiffen. “Are you serious?”
“I needed to find something out.”
“And did you?”
“Yes.”
“You gonna tell me?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Six, I already know.”
I lift my head, tensing. “You do?”
“Your brothers… It’s them, isn’t it?”
I fiddle with the rim of my glass. “I think so. How did you know?”
“Babe, I was suspicious the minute you told me they’ve been in Durango.” He sips his whiskey and stares at the fire.
“Why?”
“Because I know them. I know what they’re capable of, at least what Remy is capable of. Unfortunately, Derek goes along like a pussy.” He tenses. “Have you known this entire time?”
“No. I swear.”
“Don’t lie to me, Six. Not about this.”
“I’m not. I… I don’t know anything for sure,” I say lamely.
“What made you suspect them?”
My shoulders drop, and I sip the whiskey. “One of the men who robbed my bar carried a pillowcase as a bag. I remember it because it stuck out at the time. It was a really feminine floral pattern. I thought it was odd. When you and I were up there earlier, I spotted it on a counter.”
“Is that all?”