“My gun.”
“Why do you need a gun?” Walker asked, his voice wary. He moved to stand in front of Celia.
“She’s not going to shoot me,” she muttered, but Walker didn’t move.
“Don’t worry, you’re both safe. As for your friends Lane and Spur, I’m not going to kill them,” I assured him. “Not yet, at least.”
I found it in the bottom drawer of a desk. “Ah ha!”
Triumph. Smiling, I picked up the familiar weapon, checked it for bullets, then stormed out of the room, both of them moving out of my way.
When I was halfway up the steps, Walker called to me.
I looked over my shoulder.
“We’ll stay here with you until they return. You don’t need your gun. I assure you you’ll be safe with Luke and me staying here with you.”
I shook my head, rethinking what I’d do. “No. I’m getting my bag and then you’re taking me to Slate Springs.”
“Slate Springs? Now?” Walker frowned. “Don’t you want to wait for your husbands?”
I shook my head. “Hell, no. Lane’s just in this marriage for… what was the word he used? Oh, yes, my pussy. Spur’s the husband on the proxy license.” I didn’t tell them mine wasn’t on it. “My real husband. His home is in Slate Springs. If they want me, then they can come to fucking Slate Springs to find me.”
Besides, if I wasn’t really married to them, I had to go somewhere my brothers wouldn’t find me. If they did, not only would they drag me home and never let me leave the house unchaperoned, but I’d be considered used goods. Doubly used. No, it was time to settle, to make my own life. No overbearing brothers, no cheating husbands. I had poker skills to make money and a town full of miners was perfect. Lots of gambling to be had. Although it wasn’t going to be in Jasper. I refused to stay in the same town as her. Lil. I had some dignity.
“I don’t think it’s like that.”
“What? They don’t have a mistress named Lil?”
“Shit,” he muttered, looking down at the floor. “I won’t lie, I know they did have a mistress named Lil. Lane’s visited her for a long time. Spur, well, that’s a recent addition.”
Hearing Walker tell it only made me feel worse, if that was even possible.
“As for now,” he shrugged. “They’re married to you. They don’t need anyone else.”
Yes, that should be true, but it wasn’t the case.
“Do you have a mistress, Walker Tate?” Celia asked, her hands on her hips.
“What?” he asked, looking down at his wife as if she were crazy.
“You knew about Lil and didn’t say anything, even though I already knew. Do you have any secrets Spur and Lane know?” She arched a brow and waited for his response.
I saw anger on Walker’s face, then he took a deep breath, let it out. He ran his hand over her cheek, then cupped her jaw. “Woman, why the fuck do I need a mistress when I have you? I just want to be deep inside you. All. The. Time.”
“That’s what Piper wants from her men,” she countered.
“Why the hell are we arguing?” His voice boomed. “I’m not the one who’s straying.”
Celia smiled then, went up on her tiptoes and kissed her husband. Somehow, the kiss ended their little argument, soothed the big man’s ire. “Just wanted to be sure.”
Walker turned his head toward me. “And you’re sure about going to Slate Springs?”
I nodded sadly. I wanted what they’d just shared. A closeness, a connection. Trust. “Lane went to her this afternoon while I was occupied with your visit. He said as much, didn’t deny it. Even said he’d keep seeing her and Spur was going to join him.”
Walker’s eyes went wide and he ran a hand over his beard. “I know them. Your husbands wouldn’t do this. There’s got to be some mistake.”
“No mistake. I’m going to Slate Springs,” I said, not wanting to continue the conversation. “Where Lil isn’t. I’ll stay in Spur’s house.” I laughed, realizing something. “They pay Lil. After what they did with me last night, I’ve at least earned a few nights lodging in Spur’s house.”