“That’s your story?” Officer Tiller asked, the disbelief clear in his voice.

 

“It’s the truth,” Saul said, holding the officer’s eyes. This was the fifth time he’d told the story, each time to a different officer.

 

His house had been crawling with cops for hours. He’d told the story straight, exactly as it went down, each time. The only change was he claimed to not know why Saul Mendel thought they had killed his club. He knew the shoot was clean. Saw’s pistol had the serial number removed, and the fact he was wearing a balletic vest, added credence he broke into the house with nefarious intentions. The only wild card was what Angela would say. If she told them he’d called out Abana as the killer, he was going to have some explaining to do. He probably wouldn’t go to jail over it, but if it came out he had knowledge of what Abana was doing, that was going to put the Pagans on the radar, which would seriously compromise their ability to conduct their off books business.

 

He hadn’t coached her on what to say, the cops often could see through that, but he’d suggested if she kept Abana’s name out of it, it would be helpful for him.

 

The cops had already taken their photos, bagged the guns, and hauled the body out, now only Tiller and the cop interviewing Angela remained.

 

“We’ll be in touch,” Tiller said before giving him a curt nod and stepped out of the office. Saul moved across the hall to the bedroom. She was alone. “You okay?” he asked.

 

“Yes. But I can’t stay here tonight.”

 

He nodded in understanding. The bedroom was a horror show with blood smears and a bullet hole. “Me neither. I’ll take you back to your hotel.”

 

She nodded and rose, walking past him without a glance. He pursed his lips and quickly gathered her a change of clothes and underwear, retrieved his backup weapon from the closet, and carried them with him as he followed her to the garage.

 

He drove her to the La Palacio Hotel in his truck, her clothes sitting between them untouched. “Who is Abana?” she asked, the first words she’d spoken since they left his house.

 

He wanted to ask her if she mentioned him to the cops but held his tongue. “Someone I do business with.”

 

“What kind of business?”

 

“Don’t ask me questions you don’t want to know the answers to.”

 

She looked at him. “I want to know.”

 

He swallowed hard. “He’s the leader of a drug cartel in Nuevo Laredo.”

 

“You sell drugs?” she asked, her voice flat.

 

“No.” When she didn’t say anything he glanced at her. She was staring at him, obviously not believing him. He pursed his lips in annoyance and pulled into the parking lot of a H-E-B and stopped. “It’s the truth.”

 

“Did you kill Saw’s men like he said?”

 

“No.”

 

“You had nothing to do with it? You expect me to believe that?”

 

“We didn’t start this, the Corpse Killers did. We have nothing to do with drugs. The only men we killed were in self-defense, like tonight.”

 

She watched his eyes. “What do you do for Abana?”

 

“He provides…merchandise.”

 

“What kind of merchandise.”

 

“I can’t tell you.”

 

“Guns? Women? Are you killers for hire?”

 

“No!” He looked down. “I never killed anyone until a few days ago. Saw sent his men to kill us. They ambushed us. They tried to kill us. We killed them instead.”

 

“What about the other two, whatever their names were?”

 

“They attacked us. We gave them the chance to walk away, just like I did with Saw. They didn’t take it.”

 

“Why is Abana trying to kill them?”

 

“They stole something from him.”

 

“What?”

 

He stared at her. “Guns.”

 

“Guns you provide?” When he said nothing she nodded. “That’s what I thought. Take me to the hotel.”

 

He slipped the truck into gear and pulled back out onto the road. “I’m sorry you got mixed up in all of this.”

 

“Yeah. Me too. I hate fucking guns.”

 

“A gun may have saved your life tonight.”

 

She looked at him. “I can’t believe you’re trying to justify what you do.”

 

“I’m not trying to justify shit. The fact is, if we didn’t supply him, somebody else would. But because we do, we have some control over what happens. We have a gentleman’s agreement with him that he keeps the violence on his side of the river.”

 

“So you’re the good guys now?”

 

“We’re damn sure not the bad guys. Most of the club doesn’t even know about the Abana deal. My dad started this before I was born. This is the first time anything like has happened. Why? Because those fucking Killers tried to fuck Abana, that’s why. They weren’t happy getting just a piece of the pie, they wanted the whole thing, and they paid for it with their lives. Worse, they tried to drag us into it. More than thirty years without one person being injured, then they got greedy and fuck it all up.”

 

“You’re regular Boy Scouts.”

 

“What would you have me do, Angela? I gave him the chance to walk away. He didn’t take it. Should I have let him kill or injure you? Would that have made you happy? He came there to kill me, and he would have killed you, too, without a second thought.”

 

“I should have never become involved with you.”

 

“No, I guess you shouldn’t have.” He paused and softened. “I never intended for this to happen, I never expected this to happen, but I couldn’t let him hurt you.”

 

She glared at him. “You sell fucking guns to the fucking drug cartel! How could you think this wouldn’t happen?”

 

“Thirty years of history. Thirty years, longer than we’ve been alive. That’s why. And it wasn’t us or Abana who started it.”

 

They pulled up to the La Palacio and stopped. She sat for a moment then opened the door. “Thank you for the ride.”

 

He grabbed her arm as she began to slide out. “I’m sorry for what happened, but I’m glad I got to know you.” He smiled softly at her. “You’re a hell of a woman, Perty. I’m glad I was wrong about you.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

He smiled, but she could see sadness in it as he shrugged. “Don’t know. There are plenty of places around.” He watched her a moment. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

 

She picked up her clothes and slid out of the truck, but stood there, door open, watching him as the truck idled. She was so confused. She was shocked and dismayed he sold guns, even more so he sold them to a drug cartel. But as she looked at him, she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach.

 

“You’re just going to let me leave? No threats? No warnings to not go to the cops and tell them everything you told me?”

 

“I would rather you didn’t, but I’m not going to threaten you, Angela. It’s not my style. If you go to the cops I’ll deny everything. You have no proof, so it will be your word against mine.” He shrugged. “I want you to stay, but I would rather you leave than to stay because you’re afraid of me.”

 

“Should I be afraid of you?”

 

She watched as his melancholy smile faded. “If you have to ask the question, you don’t know me at all. Goodbye, Angela,” he said as he put the truck in gear.

 

She took a step back and slammed the door. “Saul! Wait!” she called as the truck began to roll. She opened the door again when he stopped. “Why did you tell me to cover my ears?”

 

“To protect your hearing. When he threatened you, he wasn’t leaving the room alive.”

 

“Why? You said he could walk away.”

 

“That was before he threatened you.”

 

“You killed him because he threatened me?”

 

“I killed him because he showed he was willing to hurt you. He wasn’t getting another chance.”

 

She stood there, watching him, her emotions in turmoil. She’d been terrified when Saw grabbed her neck, but Saul had once again saved her. And he had given Saw a chance to walk away. Twice. It was only after he grabbed her that Saul had gone diamond hard.

 

He sat in the truck, letting her work it through. He’d meant every word he’d said. She was a hell of a woman and he was glad he’d had the chance to get to know her, but not because she was Angela Moncrief.

 

She started to close the door again and let him drive out of her life, but she couldn’t. “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

 

“You don’t have to worry. You’re safe.”

 

“I don’t feel safe.”

 

“Do you want me to stay with you?”

 

She wanted to say no, but nodded. “Yes.”

 

He watched her for a moment. “I’ll park the truck.”

 

***

 

The hotel had blocked out two more weeks on the initial reservation so her room was still available. He swiped the door and entered first then held the door for her. She walked past him and he allowed the door to shut.

 

She showered, trying to wash off what she knew she couldn’t, then wept, the shower washing away her tears. She’d been so scared when Saw broke into Saul’s house, when he rose from the floor after Saul shot him, but most especially, when he’d threatened to kill her. Her heart had nearly stopped the moment his hand closed over her neck, but Saul had been calm, cool…and deadly. There had been no hesitation and she’d escaped without a scratch.

 

When she stepped out of the bathroom, he’d already slid one of the chairs to in front of the door. “What’s that for?” she asked.

 

“Me.”

 

“You’re not coming to bed with me?”

 

“Is that what you want? I got the impression you were done with me.”

 

She pursed her lips together. “I don’t approve of what you do.” He shrugged. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”

 

“No.” He settled into the chair, then grimaced as he pulled his weapon out of the small of his back. He scrunched down low and placed his holstered weapon on his chest, covering it with his interlaced fingers, as he leaning his head against the back of the chair.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“You said you didn’t want to be alone.”

 

“Why do you care?”

 

He shrugged. “Just do. I want you to feel safe. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, Angela, not while I can prevent it. Before they can get to you, they’ll have to go through me.”

 

She watched as he closed his eyes. For all the world it appeared he was going to sleep in the chair in front of the door. To protect her and make her feel safe…and not ask for anything in return.

 

“I would feel safer if you were holding me,” she said softly.

 

He opened his eyes. “Are you sure?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He watched her a moment. “I can’t change who I am.”

 

She gave him a flicker of a smile. “I don’t want you to.”

 

He didn’t move. “Are you sure?”

 

“Yes. I don’t approve, will never approve, of what you do.” She smiled at him again. “But I don’t want you to change.”

 

He watched for a moment then rose from the chair, placing the weapon close at hand beside the table. She plucked at his shirt and he undressed. She smiled, and began to disrobe with him. She slid into the bed and snuggled in close, recoiling as he hissed and gasped, his face twisting in pain as his back arched.

 

“Other side,” he breathed as he relaxed. “My kidneys are killing me.”

 

She moved to the other side and snuggled in, more gently, and he didn’t complain, his arm going around her shoulders. She caressed his chest a moment. “Tell me the truth. If you had the option, would you stop selling guns to Abana?”

 

“Yes, but it would take time. You don’t just tell Abana ‘No.’ We would have to arrange a handoff of some kind so he could continue to get his supply.”

 

“So why don’t you?”

 

“The simple answer is the money. The more complicated answer is we have been doing business with Abana for a long time. I told you, he keeps his violence out of Laredo. He knows a lot of drug violence brings in more cops. More cops make it harder for us to supply him with what he needs. We have a little bubble around Laredo because everyone knows if you cross Abana, you end up like the Killers. Laredo is his town, and nobody fucks with Abana.”

 

“You believe that?”

 

“Angela, I know it. We have our share of rapes and murders, but nothing like the violence other border towns have. Compared to El Paso or San Diego, we have it good.”

 

“That sounds like a justification.”

 

He shrugged. “You’re free to look it up. I’m sure the information is out there on the internet somewhere.”

 

She thought about it. She believed him, about everything, and realized it wasn’t a simple black and white problem. Even though the Pagans were breaking the law, good was coming out of it as well, and she had no doubt this Abana character had the ability to get guns elsewhere if he needed to, and thirty years of non-violence was a pretty good run.

 

She remembered how he stood up for Charlie, and protected her, and how he gave Bradley, and even Saw, a chance to back away. He may be a criminal, but he had his own moral code he lived by, and despite what he did, he was a better man than many she knew.

 

She smiled softly and rose up to kiss him on the cheek.

 

He hissed softly. “Easy,” he whispered.

 

She moved to his lips, being gentle, remembering the elbow to the mouth, but he still gasped and turned away. “Well goddamn it, Indy, where doesn’t it hurt?” she asked, then giggled at her own joke.

 

He snickered. “Here!” he said, pointing at his elbow. She grinned and leaned over to kiss it. “Here isn’t too bad,” he said, pointing to his jaw.

 

She kissed the spot he indicated, then kissed lower, then lower still.

 

“Why?” he asked as her hand slid down his body to caress his swelling manhood.

 

“Because I want to,” she breathed as she continued to kiss down his body.

 

He sighed, her lips sending flairs of pleasure through him with each touch. “But why?” he asked, tipping her head up so she had to look at him.

 

“You care about someone other than yourself,” she said softly. She moved up and feathered her lips against his with the lightest of touches. “You’re not afraid to risk yourself for others. You’re a good man, despite what you do.” She smiled at him again. “The fact you keep saving my life hasn’t hurt you any.” She paused as she brushed her lips across his. “The way you make me feel hasn’t either.”

 

He smiled at her. He could feel the crises passing, their bond reforming, stronger than ever. “I hate it when women only want me for my body.”

 

She began to kiss down his body again. “I don’t want you for your body. That’s just a bonus,” she purred as she swallowed him.

 

He sighed as she enveloped him in her mouth. He knew he’d taken a risk confiding in her, but it was one he was willing to take. She had no proof, no evidence, and if she broke his trust he would know she would never be anymore more than a fuck. But he wanted her to be more, and he’d extended his trust to her. The rest was up to her.

 

He pulled her around in the bed as she continued to please him, his finger teasing her, caressing and stroking her wetness, all thoughts of guns and drug cartels forgotten. She began to move, his touch winding her up, his soft gasps and hisses of pleasure and the gentle press of his hand on her head stoking her fires.

 

His orgasm was coming, bearing down on him like a terrible weight, their loving making cleansing away his doubts. Angela spoke to him in a way no other woman ever had. He wanted not just her body, but all of her, her body, mind and heart. It had only been a couple of weeks since he met her, but he could already feel a tugging, a yearning to be near her when she was away, and to touch her when she was close. He’d never felt this way about anyone before and it was a new, and strange and exhilarating in equal measure.

 

He reached down and pulled her from his cock. “I want you,” he whispered. “I want to make love to you.”

 

Not fuck, but make love. She smiled and brushed her lips against his again. “I want you,” she whispered, kissing under his jaw, desperately wanting to taste his lips but holding back, not wanting to hurt him. He started to roll her over, but she pushed him back to his back. “No…” she whispered, swinging a leg over him and settling, steering him into her depths as she lowered herself.

 

He pulled her down, his arms curling under hers to her back to clamp her to his chest. He began to thrust then gasped in pain as his abused stomach muscles cramped.

 

“Let me take good care of you,” she whispered, his desire for her despite his pain pleasing her. She began to thrust, the tingles he started with his fingers returning. She began to drive her hips into him harder, her orgasm rising within her.

 

He gasped, his head tipping back as he held her tighter, then tighter still. She pushed up against his embrace, her eyes squeezing closed in pleasure, her mouth opening as her orgasm built, rising higher then higher still. He held her tight, her battering hips making him ache for his climax. He pushed against his orgasm, trying to delay the rush of pleasure, but it overwhelmed him. He barked, his hips shoving higher to drive himself as deep into her as possible, his aches no match for his pleasure. He pulled her head down, burying her face in his neck, holding her as she made love to him, her own gasps and pants as she drove herself to orgasm twisting him up.

 

His hard grunt of completion as he spilled into her followed by his almost crushing embrace tipped her over the edge. She moaned softly into his neck as her orgasm poured through her until her breath exploded from her as her climax passed, leaving her feeling warm and relaxed as she panted, trying to catch her breath. He’d come well before her, but still he clung to her, then shuddered. She giggled and tried to push up against his embrace, but he still held her, as if he feared she would fly away.

 

“Are you okay?” she asked quietly, her smile fading as he continued to hold her.

 

“Yes,” he breathed, but his embrace never lessened.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing.” He loosened his embrace and she rose to look at him, her face clouded with concern.

 

“Are you hurt?”

 

“No,” he breathed, pulling her lips to his. Though their kiss was gentle, it still hurt like a mother, but he had to kiss her, his need for her lips outweighing any pain the kiss caused. “I’m so sorry for putting you in danger,” he said softly. “If I had known this was going to happen I would have never—”

 

“Shhh…” she breathed, putting a finger lightly against his lips. “I’m glad you did. You couldn’t have known.”

 

“No,” he said. “But I could have broken it off after it all started going sideways. But I didn’t. I thought I could handle it. I didn’t…”

 

“Didn’t what?” she asked when he didn’t continue.

 

“I didn’t want to stop seeing you.”

 

She smiled. “I don’t want to stop seeing you either.”

 

“Even knowing what I do?”

 

“Even knowing what you do. You know I can’t be part of it.”

 

“I know.”

 

“But don’t forget what I do. I can pretend I don’t know.” She smiled. “Only those in the Pagans who already know everything need know.”

 

“Will you come back home?”

 

Her smiled widened. “Not until you get the mess cleaned up.”

 

He smiled at her. “Can you stand to work without me around tomorrow?”

 

“I think so.”

 

“Call me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up and bring you home.”

 

She stared down into his eyes then kissed the side of his mouth in deference to his discomfort. “You’d better.”