“I’ll see you around, Sally,” he said and she felt so badly for lying to him. He was a very attractive guy. Had impressed her with his moves and his methods of flirting with her. Under normal circumstances she would have engaged in more conversation. But then again, she sucked at relationships. Men couldn’t handle her or the fact that she was so independent and had killed before. She was superior in her profession and as good as any male around. That was a turnoff eventually for most men. They wanted to be superior and all the guys she’d ever dated felt inadequate and as if she was their protector instead of the other way around.
She gave a small nod toward Harper and absorbed his body and demeanor. The man was tall and built very well. He towered over her. She felt his presence and knew he was an Alpha male all the way. She’d never felt this type of instant acknowledgement and a level of equality before. In fact maybe it wasn’t equality but more her match in that area where she dominated most men she met. She wasn’t sure but as she gave a wave and painstakingly headed down the hill with Harper looking on she wondered if she would ever let her guard down and allow a man, the right man, to take care of her and comfort her and make her let go and be free. No responsibility, no fighting, no being ready to shoot and kill on a moment’s notice and no more loneliness.
She took a deep breath and released it as they reached the bottom of the hill.
It could never happen. She could never let her guard down. Not being marked for death by the main members of the Tenth Street gang. It just wasn’t possible.
Chapter 5
Harper’s curiosity was getting the better of him, but he didn’t want to come off all stalkerlike and follow Sally. He watched her walk away and all he could do was hope he would see her again. In fact, he was already formulating a plan to be in the same place he was today when he first saw her. He did tell her that it was his normal route. That would either make her change hers, or she would purposely run the same path again at the same time in hopes of seeing him, too.
That thought brought a small smile to his face. This was so unlike him. To react to a woman like this. As he headed out of the woods and along the road, he couldn’t help but wonder more about her. Why was she carrying a gun? She hadn’t even hesitated to pull it out as he approached. Was she in some kind of trouble? Had someone hurt her and she was recovering? Maybe that was why the race up the hill was too much for her. Perhaps she was holding her side and favoring an injury. His mind was going through a whirlwind of thoughts and before long he was approaching the backyard of the ranch.
What would the others think about her? About him reacting to a stranger like this? Should he tell them? Did he want to?
They lived such dangerous lives and weren’t ready to settle down. They hinted around about sharing a woman just like their friends did. He’d give his life for any of the guys. Hell, they’d all experienced near death. They also did some jobs that weren’t on the up and up. How would a woman like Sally feel about that?
He ran his hand through his hair.
“Fuck I’m rushing things along. I don’t even know how to find her.”
“How to find who?”
He heard the voice and realized he had spoken aloud. He locked gazes with Mace.
Mace was six foot three with a hard expression, the quietest of the group but all badass. He stood by the edge of the porch preparing to stack wood for the outdoor fireplace.
“Nothing,” Harper replied.
“Don’t you mean no one? You said you don’t even know how to find her. Who is she?” Mace asked and winked.
“No one. Just forget about it. I was thinking aloud.”
“Yeah you tend to do that when you’re really high-strung and obsessed with something. Did you meet her in town or on your run?”
Harper joined Mace by the deck. Mace started to line up the large pieces of wood then reached for the ax and began to split the logs.
“I was running through the woods, like I usually do and on our usual route.”
Mace nodded then hit the wood again to split another log. Harper wondered what would have happened if Mace were there with him. Shit, Mace would have disarmed Sally and maybe even hurt her with his quick moves.
He thought about leaving out the part where Sally drew her weapon, a Glock.
But then he never lied to Mace or the others. He never held back with them. They were his family.
He cringed just waiting for Mace to explode on him when instead he heard laughter. Mace found it amusing.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Some chick in spandex got the jump on you?”
“What chick in spandex?”
Harper turned to see Orin join them. He stepped down off the porch with his hands in his front pockets.
“Some chick was running through the woods on the same route as Harper and when she saw him, and thought he was some pervert, she drew a gun on him.”
“Shit, Harper. Are you okay? Who was she and what was she doing with a gun?” Orin asked.
“I don’t know who she was or why she had the gun. She sure as shit knew how to use it though. Pulled it out in a flash and held it with steady hands. Like a trained professional.”