At the Crossroads (Buckhorn, Montana #3)(37)

“Culhane, originally, yes, it was all about taking you to the cops, collecting my fee and letting you rot in jail,” she said. “Well, maybe not rot in jail, but you have to admit, you probably deserve to be behind bars for a while for not being honest with me.” He started to speak, but she waved him off. “But you need me now to help you find Jana. We have to find out who is trying to frame you for murder before the cops catch up to you and shoot without even bothering to ask questions.”

He knew she was right, which was another reason he didn’t want her in the crosshairs. Just being with him put her in danger in so many ways.

“I can help you. But from this point on, you can’t keep anything from me. We’re in this together. If I suspect you’re not telling me everything, then all bets are off. Deal?”

He glanced over at her as she held out her hand. Seriously? She wanted to shake on it? With a sigh, he took her hand, thinking there was still so much he’d kept from her. So much he wanted to tell her. But now wasn’t the time. He couldn’t make any promises because right now, he wasn’t sure of his future or if he would even have one.

ALEXIS PULLED HER hand away. “You’re going to try to ditch me at the first opportunity, aren’t you?”

He shook his head, even though that was exactly what he wanted to do. “If I did, it would only be to protect you.”

“I can protect myself.”

“I’d be doing you a favor,” he said, not looking at her.

“You want to do me a favor, then stay alive.”

He glanced over at her. “When you look at me with those big brown doe eyes...” He shook his head. “Damn it, I’m worried about how bad things are going to get before this is over. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I never wanted you involved.”

She gave him a pointed look. “I’m already involved. I’ve been involved for the past year. Want to tell me what last night was about?”

He sighed. “I came over to your apartment to tell you everything, to warn you, to try to convince you to stay out of it.” He met her gaze for a moment. “Then I saw you, and I just wanted to hold you and kiss you and—”

“Yes, I remember.”

Their gazes locked for a few seconds, and the chemistry in the cab of the pickup sparked and popped like lightning. She felt the heat rush to her center and thought she might burst with her desire for this man.

“You should have at least said goodbye,” she finally said, remembering what it had been like waking up alone in that big bed, his side cold, and wondering if she would ever see him again.

“I didn’t want it to be goodbye,” Culhane said, his voice sounding husky with emotion.

But it had felt like goodbye when she’d realized he’d left without waking her. Then this morning, finding out that there was a BOLO out on Culhane for murder! The murder of his wife!

“Imagine how I felt like when I got the news about the murder and the BOLO out on you,” she said, realizing that she was still angry with him and yet wishing he could pull over and take her in his arms again and explain all of this away.

But she knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Nor would it be enough. It would never be enough. Her love for this man made her weak with need and stole her good sense.

“I know I hurt you.” He sounded as if he did. “I’m sorry. If I had stayed, maybe I could have talked you out of coming after me.”

She laughed and shook her head. “I think you know better than that.”

His smile was sad. “Alex, I could have gotten you killed back there at the café. I still might.” He shook his head. “I can’t bear the thought of what I’m dragging you into.”

Alexis swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat. “You aren’t dragging me into anything. I’m here because there is no place else I want to be. They’re saying you’re armed and dangerous. The first law you run across might just shoot you. If there is any way I can prevent that—”

“You can’t.”

“Well, I’m going to try.”

CULHANE STARTED TO answer when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. His gaze shot to the rearview mirror an instant before he heard the siren.

“Cops,” he said as the flashing lights of the patrol car raced closer.

“What are you going to do?”

“The only thing I can.” He slowed and began to pull over.

He hadn’t realized that he’d been holding his breath until the patrol car sped past, the officer behind the wheel not even looking in their direction. The sound of the siren was a wail dying in the distance.

Culhane looked over at Alexis and saw her relief as well. She was right about one thing. He did need her. He hadn’t realized how much. After Jana’s murder and everything that had happened today, he’d been reminded of how short life could be.

The other night he’d gone to Alexis, knowing it was the last thing he should do. He had known that someone from the sheriff’s department would let her know about the BOLO. While the new sheriff wasn’t a fan of either of them, they still had friends in the department.

He’d known that once she heard about the BOLO out on him, she would come after him—especially if he made love to her and then sneaked away. But he’d had to see her. He’d had to be with her. He couldn’t bear not seeing her one more time in case it was his last.