Pain...panic...hurting...everything....everywhere. One eye opened, but only partially as she tried to remember what happened to her. Memories were slow in coming as she fought to roll onto her side and get to the phone. She didn’t understand what happened to her, but knew she needed help. She could smell her own blood as she crawled, inch by agonizing inch towards the phone by her bed. She couldn’t stand up, could barely move as she reached for the cord, missing on her first three tries, before finally pulling the phone down to her. She closed her eyes and lay quietly for a few minutes, trying to fight the rising nausea and pain her movement elicited. She knew she had to move, had to get help, but the energy needed to reach for the phone was beyond her capability and she let her eyes slide closed once more. They snapped open again as she realized someone else needed her help...needed her to move past her own pain and warn her.
“A...Anne,” she hissed and forced her hand to obey her mind’s commands. She sought the phone and pulled it to her and waited for her eyes to focus on the illuminated numbers. Three came to mind and she tried to hit them, but failed miserably.
“Dam...mit!” she swore and tried again. Her fingers fumbled for the correct sequence and she moaned as she waited to see if the call would be answered.
“911...” the operator didn’t have time to finish as Tanya’s voice cut through her words.
“H...help...please...h...hurt...Anne...”
“Anne, listen to me...”
“No...help...”
“Help is on the way, just stay with me.”
“C...can’t hu...hurts too...too...much...”
“Where are you hurt?”
“E...every...where,” Stevens answered as the receiver fell from her hands. She could hear the frantic 911 operator, but didn’t have the strength to answer her. A deep cold began to take over her body and mind and she knew she was dying.
“I...I’m sorry...”she wheezed as her eyes closed once more.
Fischer looked at the woman kneeling next to the unconscious man, his own face red with rage as he watched how tender she was with Chris Larabee. He reached out and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her towards him and wrapping her in a tight embrace.
Anne struggled against the hated hold, but his strength was too much and she finally went still as she waited to see what would happen. She knew they needed help, but there would be none coming, at least not in time to save Larabee from this man. Taking a deep breath she forced a smile to her face and looked into the steel grey blue eyes. She knew beyond a doubt that Fischer would kill Chris, and it was up to her to prevent that from happening.
“Richard, I’m so sorry...”
“Don’t patronize me, Anne,” Fischer warned.
“I’m not, Richard,” she said, taking her hands from his grip and placing them around his neck. She felt her stomach churn as his sweet smelling breath made her nauseous.
He knew she was lying, but the nearness of her body was making him dizzy. The heat in his groin rose until he could not resist his body’s call. He pulled her close, kissing her lips, bruising them as he nipped with his teeth.
“Oh, Anne, I’m going to make sure you know how to love me...how to care for me. I’ll make you love me once we’re rid of that sonofabitch. I’ll take you away...teach you the proper way for a woman to behave.”
She trembled in his arms, hearing the threat to the unconscious man. His touch made her sick, but she couldn’t show him...for Chris’ sake she needed to make him think she was once more under his spell.
“Just the two of us...nothing to care about...no one to bother us...”
‘God help me,’ she thought as his hand found its way to her breast.
“So sweet...like honey...” Fischer whispered, his body relaxing as he pressed his hard cock against her.
Anne swallowed the bile rising in her throat as he continued to kiss and use his teeth to nip at her lips. She saw the hand holding the gun drop below her waist and heard it thud on the polished hardwood floor. She prayed for the strength she needed and waited for him to relax even more.
“I want you, Anne...right now...let me love you and show you what it can be like between us.”
‘God No!’ her mind screamed as he continued to rub his hard penis against her. Taking a deep breath and hoping her aim was true, she brought her knee up into his groin and twisted away from his grasp as a scream of rage erupted from his throat. She used her fists and struck him again and again, until he fell to the floor. Grabbing the lamp from the table beside him she lifted it over her shoulder and brought it down on his head. He dropped to the floor and lay still.
Anne leaned heavily against the back of the sofa, her breath coming in wheezing gasps as she looked down at the man who caused so much pain in her life. She picked up the gun and hid it under the throw cushion until she could tie Fischer up. She heard a soft moan and turned to see Larabee’s eyes flutter open.
“Chris, just lie still,” she warned as she dropped down beside him.
“A...Anne...”
“Yes, honey, it’s me...”
“...hap...pened...”
“You’re hurt, sweetheart. I’m going to get something to help you, but I need you to lie still.”
“...head h...hurts...”
“I know, I’ll be right back,” she assured him.
“...Fis...cher...”
“I knocked him out. I’ll be right back, Chris. I have to make sure he doesn’t hurt you anymore!”
“...y...you...okay?”
“I’m fine...now just be quiet until I get a chance to look after you.”
“....not goin’ any...where...” Larabee assured her. He watched as she left the room and slowly forced his body to obey his commands.
Fischer heard movement and bit back a cry of pain as he made it to his knees. His head felt like it had been split in two, but he wouldn’t let that stop him. He spotted Larabee trying to get to his feet and looked around for Anne Sheridan. His anger intensified as he thought of her continued betrayal. The gun was nowhere near him, but he reached into his pocket and touched the pocket knife he kept there. He ignored the trickle of blood from the scalp wound and flipped open the blade.
Chris turned onto his side and tried to get to his knees, but found his body lacked the coordination needed to do so. A sound from his right caught his attention and he turned his head just as Fischer wrapped an arm around his neck and dragged him upwards. Chris swallowed against the bile rising in his throat as a knife was placed against his neck. He tried to fight, but the blade sank into his skin, drawing a tiny bead of blood as its owner laughed in his ear.
“Be still, Larabee. I’m not planning to kill Anne, but if you fight me I swear I’ll make damn sure she’s in a lot of pain. You understand?”
“Y...yeah,” Larabee hissed as he heard Anne returning.
“Hello, Sweetheart,” Fischer said, the smile made hideous by the blood covering the right side of his face.
“C...Chris!” she stammered, dropping the two ties she held in her hands.
“I’m o...kay,” the blond wheezed, crying out as the blade sank even deeper.
“Shut up! Now, Anne, we’re gonna have us a little fun. First, I want you to bring one of those chairs from the dining room out here!” he explained.
“DO IT!” Fischer shouted when she stood her ground.
Chris felt the blood seeping down his neck and nodded slightly to his lover. He knew they were both at Fischer’s mercy, at least for now. The man didn’t seem to want to kill him outright and as long as he was alive, there was a chance they’d both escape. He saw the pain in her eyes as she looked at him, but was relieved when she turned and walked away.
“This is real interesting, Larabee. You seem to be able to get her to listen by just looking at her, but that’s no way to teach her properly. You need to be more forceful and make her jump when you speak...show her how a real man can take care of her!”
“That’s not how y...you s...show a wo...man you love her...” Larabee hissed as Fischer leaned heavily on his shoulder.
“Anne, will forget all about you once we leave here, Larabee. She’ll learn how a real man can give her everything she needs.”
“...not a real m...man...” the injured blond hissed as Sheridan came back into the room.
“We’ll soon find out just how much of a man I am. Now, Anne, put the chair over by the fireplace. I do believe we may just have a little fun there and I wouldn’t want your lover to miss anything,” Fischer watched as the woman moved forward and began maneuvering his prisoner towards the chair.
Larabee was barely able to stand and groaned as he took the weight on his right leg.
Fischer laughed as he forced his captive to stay on his feet. As he moved his leg came in contact with a loose cushion and moved it slightly. He heard Anne’s gasp as he reached for the gun while shoving Larabee towards her. The blond stumbled into the auburn haired woman as she released the chair and they fell heavily to the ground with Anne Sheridan beneath Chris Larabee.
Laughing, Fischer grabbed the weapon and pointed it at his captives.
“This makes things so much easier, don’t you think?” he asked, watching as the injured man turned onto his left side. “Now, Larabee, I want you to sit in that chair. Anne, why don’t you pick up those ties and we’ll make him more comfortable.”
“No...”
“Fine, I’ll kill him now!” he said, folding his arms while he pointed the gun at the other man’s head.
“NO!” Sheridan screamed.
“Are you going to do what I say?”
“Yes...” she spat, moving to help her lover to his feet.
“Good, now put him in the chair and get the fuckin’ ties. You know, Anne, I’m going to enjoy teaching you some manners. It’s long overdue!”
“Don’t fuckin’ touch her!” Larabee warned as he made it to the chair and sat down.
“Just what do you propose to do about it?” Fischer asked.
“Put down the gun and I’ll be glad to show you!” the blond hissed, his voice dripping venom as he glared at the man.
“Oh, no. You see, Larabee, I know all about you. I’ve done some research into your background. A Navy SEAL is not someone I want to mess with. I also know all about your black belt and other martial arts abilities. Anne, get the fuckin’ ties!” he ordered as the woman stood beside his nemesis.
Sheridan moved to get the two items and hurried back to the chair. She stood in front of her lover, hoping to protect him from her ex fiancé.
“Richard, please let him go and I’ll go with you.”
“You proved you can’t be trusted, Darling, now he’s going to pay for every time he touched my property. Tie his hands behind his back...”
“But he’s hurt...”
“I don’t give a shit! Tie him up or I’ll make damn sure he can’t move anywhere on his own!”
“Do...it...” Larabee grated out. The pain was becoming too much and he knew he was losing his grip on reality as the room began to swim in and out of focus.
“Chris...”
“No ch...choice...”
Anne knew he was right and walked around the chair. As gently as she could she brought his injured arm to the back before pulling the other one there as well. She felt the tears falling from his eyes as she wrapped the makeshift bonds around his wrists, grateful that the cast would at least protect the right one from any more damage.
“Make sure they are good and tight, Sweetheart, because I do plan on checking them myself and I assure you I will make sure they are done properly,” Fischer warned.
Chris fought to stay conscious as his vision blurred even more and he felt the world around him slipping away. He felt a gentle hand on his cheek and turned towards the woman he loved.
“Anne, g...go...if y...you get t...the ch...chance...”
“I won’t leave you,” she repeated her earlier vow.
“N...no ch...choice...need help.”
“Are you quite finished?” Fischer’s voice cut through the quiet conversation between the couple.
“Richard, I need to stop the bleeding...”
“By all means, My Dear, we wouldn’t want him dying before I’m ready, would we?”
“Chris, are you with me?” Anne said, placing a hand on either side of his face.
“Y...yeah...th...think so,” Larabee moaned softly as he she brushed against the wound on his leg.
“I’m going to get the first aid kit and stop the bleeding, You just hang on, okay?”
“...okay...” Larabee said, sighing as she released her hold on him. He heard her hurry out of the room and looked up as Fischer walked towards him. He felt the man at his wrists and gasped as the ties were tightened even further.
“There, now that should hold you,” the man said with a grin.
“Richard! Leave him alone!” Sheridan gasped as she entered the room, first aid kit in one hand and a basin of water in the other.
“I was just checking your handiwork, My Dear. It needed to be a little tighter to ensure his cooperation. Now come on over here and tend to your lover,” he ordered.
Fischer moved towards the liquor cabinet and reached for a bottle of Southern Comfort. He poured a shot into the glass and watched as the woman he longed to possess cared for her lover. ‘Soon, Larabee, very soon you will know what it means to lose someone you love,’ he thought, draining the amber color liquid and pouring another ample shot.
Anne set the basin on the floor beside the chair and opened the first aid kit. She could see how pale the blond had gone since being tied to the chair. Fresh blood stained the wounds on his leg and arm, as she reached for the cloth.
“Chris, can you hear me?”
“I...Anne...I...hear you.”
“I’m going to clean and bandage the wounds. It’s gonna hurt...I’m sorry.”
Larabee forced his eyes open and looked into her soft brown ones. He saw the tears and the pain and wished he could wipe them away. He swallowed and nodded imperceptibly as she opened the button on his shirt.
“It’s o...kay, Anne...”
“No...it’s
not. I brought him into your life...”
“No, you d...didn’t. He found you...you didn’t go looking for th...that bas...tard. Right?”
“G...guess so,” she said, placing the cloth against the wound in his right arm. She heard his hiss of pain and fought back the tears once more. “I wish I could give you something for pain.”
“I k...know...not y...your fault. Anne?”
“Yes...”
“...p...pass o...out,” Larabee hissed as his eyes closed.
Sheridan pushed the soft hearted woman away and made herself become the strong nurse she needed to be. She cleaned and bandaged the wounds to Larabee’s shoulder, thigh, and head, before turning to face the man at the bar. The wound she’d inflicted on him had stopped bleeding, but he seemed a little disoriented as he lifted the shot glass. She watched as the strong liquor spilled from his mouth before he turned a steady gaze on her.
“Are you finally done with him?” Fischer asked.
“Yes...do you want me to look at your wound?”
“Not fuckin’ likely, Anne, considering you’re the one who did this to me. Get me a few more ties.”
“Why?” she asked fearfully.
“It’s really none of your business, Love, but since you asked, I want you to tie Larabee’s feet to the legs of the chair. Can’t have him escaping on us, can we?”
“Richard, please...”
“Forget it. Do as I told you to, or” he waved the gun towards Larabee. “...I’ll just have to...”
“I’ll get them,” Sheridan hissed, hurrying from the room.
Fischer watched her go, admiring the way her body moved. His head throbbed and he felt himself losing touch with reality and rubbed the heel of his hand against his eyes. He heard her return and pointed to Larabee.
“Both legs, and make sure they’re tight.” He watched as she secured Larabee’s legs to the chair. Smiling as the blond moaned when she moved his right leg.
“I’m sorry, Chris,” Sheridan said, brushing her lips across Larabee’s.
“Get away from him!” Fischer warned, stalking towards her as anger inflamed his face once more. He slapped her left cheek viciously, and grabbed at the extra ties she’d brought into the room. He dropped the gun and twisted her around, pulling her arms behind her back. He wound the tie around her wrists until he heard her hiss of pain. He knotted the makeshift rope and pulled her back against him, nipping at her ear as he held her close.
“D...don’t...”
“Don’t what, Bitch? Don’t do this?” His hand slid around the front of her body and slipped under her clothing, tearing at her bra until his hand nestled against bare skin.
“P...please...”
“Oh, I love it when you beg, but right now my head is ready to explode, so why don’t we take this into Larabee’s bedroom and maybe I can show you what a good fuck you are!” He released her breast and retrieved his gun, before finally wrapping his arm around her and turning towards the unconscious man.
“I’ll make you forget that bastard,” he said, pulling her towards the hallway. Once in the bedroom he threw her onto the bed and used a second tie to bind her ankles together.
“N...no,” she sobbed as he began to remove his clothes.
“No what? Come on, Anne, you know we were good together. That bastard had no right to take what belongs to me!”
“I don’t...”
“Yes, you do,” he said, ripping the front of her blouse. He lay on top of her, his body taut with need as he bit her left breast. “I’m going t...to...” his voice slurred as pain erupted in his skull and he rolled off of her.
“Guess you’ll just h...have t...to w...wait a lit...tle...longer...D...don’t try to m...move...Lara...bee will pay for it if you try any...thing!” he hissed. He wrapped his arms around her and snuggled against her body as he lost consciousness.
Anne had no idea how long she lay beside him. Her arms were growing numb and she shifted slightly until she faced the monster from her past. Even unconscious he seemed to sense her movement and his finger dug painfully into her breast. She ignored the nausea she felt at his touch and continued to work on the ties binding her wrists. The knots were tight, but she would not give up.
Awareness was slow in returning, but when it did, she was reminded of the beating she’d taken. Not an inch of her body was without pain and she tried to calm her ravaged nerves. She felt her mind drifting towards sleep once more, but there was something important she had to do before she could let her body heal. Forcing her eyes open she looked around the small room as a cool mist entered her lungs.
“Tanya, can you hear me?”
“Hmm,” Stevens said, turning her head towards the softly spoken words.
“I’m Dr. Smith. You’re in the hospital, and you’re gonna be just fine.”
“N...no...” she mumbled, wincing as the words came out in an unintelligible mumble.
“Easy, now, don’t try to talk. We’re going to get you to your room and you can sleep...”
“N...no...help...”
“We are helping you. Do you need something for pain?”
“N...need help...Anne...he’ll be back,” she stammered as a nurse moved to the other side of the bed.
“Who’ll be back?”
“Have t...to warn A...Anne...her and C...Chris...” she moaned as the bed began to move.
“Right now you need to rest and heal,” the nurse said.
“Please, c...call Anne...dan...ger...” she whispered as her eyes drooped closed and she surrendered to the pain and medication.
Chris slowly became aware of two things at once. The first was the fact that he couldn’t move, which actually made him glad as the second thing that registered was the pain. He forced his eyes open and looked around the room, trying to bring the shadows into focus. He knew dawn was brightening the outside world, as the pale light filtered through the partially open blinds that covered the window. He tried to remember why he was like this, but his mind was still bogged down with the pain emanating from his arm and leg.
“D...damn,” he hissed, fighting to make sense of his present situation. He rotated his shoulders, gasping as the movement sent shards of agony through his shoulder. He clenched his teeth in an effort to ride out the pain and nausea and was rewarded when both abated slightly.
‘Okay, so it’s not a good idea to move,’ he thought, frowning as bits and pieces of his memory returned. The airport, her soft body next to his, the ride home, the promise of a wonderful weekend, and then the shattering of the elusion as a man’s voice broke through his memories.
“Fischer!” he hissed and began to struggle against the bonds.
Anne heard Larabee’s voice as he called Fischer’s name and knew he was awake. She could hear the pain and anger and knew the blond would do anything in his power to help her. Fischer’s hand was still on her bare breasts and she felt the change in his breathing.
“Sounds like your lover is awake, Sweetheart. Why don’t we go see how he’s feeling? Maybe take up where we left off last night,” the man whispered in her ear, before lifting his head.
Anne saw the blood covering the side of his face and forced herself to remain calm. Somehow she had to keep him from hurting Larabee anymore than he already had. Taking a deep breath and steeling herself for his hated touch she cooed softly.
“Let him wait. You and I have so much to make up for.”
“Yes...yes we do, but are you willing to give me what I want.”
“Yes, Richard, anything you desire,” she whispered, forcing her voice to sound lustful.
“Kiss me,” he said, placing his lips on hers.
Anne forced herself to respond, kissing him in the way he desired. She fought against the nausea, knowing to be sick now, would mean the loss of any ground she’d gained.
“O...oh, Richard, it’s been so long,” she whispered against his mouth. She smelled the blood on his face and again fought her rebelling stomach. ‘For Chris...be strong for Chris. Help will come,’ she thought. She opened her eyes as she felt him move away.
“Yes, it has, and it will be a little longer. You must learn to obey me, Anne. You know I am the only man for you.”
“I know that now, Richard. Why don’t we leave now and you can show me what I need to do?” Sheridan asked.
“Not yet, Love. I have some unfinished business with lover boy before we leave here. He needs to know that a man’s property is a sacred thing. I will teach him not to put his hands on things that don’t belong to him,” Fischer warned as he crawled over the bound woman.
“N...no...please, Richard, don’t hurt him anymore!” she cried, knowing her efforts had been in vain as the man stood up and glared down at her.
“Did you really think I’d fall for your attempts at manipulation, Love? You must know I’m a master at it. I mean I had you believing I was a wonderful man who would love you as you thought you should be loved, but in truth you are my possession. I own you and it’s time Larabee understood just what it means to fuck with my property...or should I say fuck my property!” He tore a strip from his shirt and shoved it into her mouth before lifting her into his arms and moving towards the door.
Chris looked up at the sound of harsh words coming from his bedroom. He renewed his efforts to free himself, but the ropes weren’t budging. He glared at the man as he entered the room, carrying the tightly bound woman in his arms.
“Leave her alone!” he spat as Fischer neared him.
“Don’t pretend to give orders, Larabee. You see Anne and I renewed our acquaintance last night. She’s as good as I remember. Although she didn’t enjoy it as much as I did. I think I was a little rough with her!” He laughed at the irate prisoner even as he dumped the woman on the floor beside the chair.
“You Bastard!” Larabee spat as he saw the bruise on the side of her face.
“I own her, Larabee. She’s mine to do as I damn well please, and it pleases me to be rough with the bitch. I’m going to fuck your memory right out of her head. When I’m through with her she’ll know you as the weakling boy who was pretending he knew how to make love to a woman.”
“No...I’ll kill you first!” Larabee hissed, the pain of his failure evident in his voice as his eyes strayed to the auburn haired woman lying on the floor. He could see the fingerprint shaped bruises on her breasts and the torn clothing and knew she’d suffered because of his inability to protect her. He cried out as fingers gripped his hair and pulled his head back.
“When are you going to realize you’re making idle threats? You can’t hurt me and you certainly can’t help her. Look at you. I mean you’re bleeding again and I’m sure you won’t last much longer. I will make you one promise though. Just before I kill you I’m going to let you see how a real man makes love to a woman!”
Fischer took the blade from his pocket once more and ran it along Larabee’s chest, bringing a thin line of blood to the surface. He laughed as he watched the woman struggling against her own bonds. He placed the knife on the table and hurried to pick her up.
“I’m sorry, Darling, I forgot you can’t see everything from the floor. This should give you a better view of what I’m doing to lover boy.” He deposited her beside the sofa and propped her against it, smiling at the horror he saw in her eyes. His hand traveled to her breast once more and he squeezed the firm mounds until a soft moan escaped the gag in her mouth.
“Leave her alone!” Larabee raged as he fought to get free.
“Hmm, she’s such a lovely creature, Larabee. So soft and willing...or unwilling...it really doesn’t matter to me,” he said, releasing his grip and turning back to the blond.
“It’s easy for you to hurt someone who can’t fight back...shows me what kind of coward you really are!” the bound man hissed venomously as he saw the pain in Sheridan’s eyes. He hated this man for forcing himself on her, and vowed he would make him pay.
“You’ll pay for being an insolent sonofabitch, Larabee. Inch by inch I’m going to carve my mark on your body until that final drop of blood leaves your dead body. Then I’m going to take my property and be long gone before the rest of your team shows up to bury you. Say hi to Tanya when you meet her in hell!” Fischer lashed out and struck his nemesis across the face. He smiled as the imprint of his hand rose on the pale cheeks. Chris reeled from the blow, and knew he’d lost more blood than he thought as the room began to fade in and out of focus once more. A second blow landed and he knew he wouldn’t be conscious for many more.
‘I’m sorry, Anne,’ he thought as he fought to stay awake, knowing he couldn’t leave Anne Sheridan to face her past alone.
Her eyes opened for a second time and she breathed in the antiseptic smell of the hospital. The pain had lessened considerably and she knew by the vague sense of calm that she’d been given some strong pain medications. She focused her mind on her body, trying to figure out just how bad things were. Her right leg and arm were encased in plaster, if she moved her upper body, her ribs protested the movement. Her mouth was dry and she felt something placed on her lower lip and sipped the cold water gratefully.
“T...thank y...you,” she mumbled as her gaze fell on a young man dressed in a green uniform.
“You’re welcome Miss. Stevens. Do you know where you are?”
“Hospital?”
“That’s right. My name is Wayne and I’ll be one of the nurses looking after you today,” he answered as he checked the IV leading into her left arm.
“How long?”
“You’ve been here for a little over fourteen hours.”
“What day is it?” she asked as her memories slammed into her and she recalled the man who’d beaten her.
“It’s late Saturday afternoon. Are you okay?” he asked, worried as what little color she had drained from her face.
“No...yes...I mean I’m okay, but I have to call someone,” she wheezed as she realized she was still being given oxygen.
“You need to rest right now...”
“No! You don’t un...der...stand!” she gasped as pain radiated from every part of her body. “He’ll kill her. P...please...I have to w...warn her.”
“Who?”
“Richard...he beat me...and he’s going to kill Chris and Anne...call them...”
“I’ll call the police...”
“No! Look, I need to call a man named Chris Larabee in Billings Montana.”
“Do you know the number?” he asked, sensing the urgency in her voice.
“N...No...check with the operator. I’ll pay whatever it costs!” she assured him, relieved when he finally picked up the phone and dialed an outside line.
Vin smiled as Buck and JD came into the bar and grill. He knew they’d all end up here eventually, and wondered how long it would be before Ezra, Nathan, and Josiah showed up.
“Hey, Vin, how’s it going?” Dunne asked as he took the seat across from the tracker.
“Okay, you boys come here to watch the fight?”
“Yeah, figured you’d be here. Nothing like Saturday fight night at Buck’s place,” Wilmington said.
“The usual, Senor?” the young Mexican woman asked as she made it to their table.
“Yeah... two Coronas,” the scoundrel said.
“Ez rubbing off on you, Buck?” Tanner asked.
“Well, he does have good taste in some things, Vin.” The ladies’ man said, watching appreciatively as Inez walked towards the bar. His smile widened as she stretched over the counter and grabbed two glasses. “Nice...very nice,” he whispered.
“You don’t have a chance, Buck,” Dunne told him.
“Oh, I don’t know, JD, I think I’m wearing her down,” Wilmington said.
“If you try what you did last week you’ll be wearing something alright,” Tanner said, smiling at the picture of the scoundrel wearing a glass of ice water.
“Care to make a wager on that, Vin?” the scoundrel asked.
“On what?” Dunne asked.
“On whether he’s wearing her down or will he be wearing something else again tonight,” Tanner said with a grin.
“Oh, give it up, Buck, but if you really want to give your money away I’ll take twenty on Inez,” the youngest member of the team said as the three missing members joined them.
“Twenty on Inez? Please tell me we’re wagering on Buck’s chances with Inez again,”
“That’s right, Ez, Buck’s trying to give us his money again,” Dunne informed him.
“Ya know, I swear you boys are setting me up every week. How much are you paying Inez to turn me down?” Wilmington asked.
“We’re not, Buck, it must be that animal scent of yours driving her away,” Jackson answered as he watched the lovely young woman coming towards them.
“Will Senor Chris be joining you tonight?” she asked.
“No...we probably won’t see him until Monday or Tuesday.” Wilmington laughed as he thought of the reunion between the two lovers.
“Ah, I take it Anne has returned,” the waitress said, smiling at Buck as she placed the beer in front of him.
“Yep,” Wilmington said, reaching for the beer. “How about me and you...”
“Not tonight...”
“Ah, come on, Inez,” Wilmington said. The ongoing play between the two was legendary at the bar, yet both knew they were attracted to each other.
“Sorry, Senor, but duty calls,” she said, smiling as she touched his cheek before turning back to the bar.
“She’s weakening,” he said.
“Yeah, at least you’re still dry,” Sanchez said, settling into the chair next to the ladies man.
“So, has anyone heard from Chris or the lovely Miss Sheridan since her return?” Sanchez asked.
“Nope, and I don’t expect too, but you know it might be kind of fun to pop out there later...”
“Buck, you do that and Chris might just use that gun of his,” Jackson warned.
“Oh,
come on. It’d be just like back in school...
“And just as childish as those panty raids, Buck,” Sanchez told him.
“Hey, there was nothing wrong with panty raids, Josiah. Hell, I met a lot of ladies that way. Even had a few ask for my autograph when I returned them, if ya know what I mean?” He lifted his beer and wagged his eyes at his friends as they settled down to wait for the start of the boxing match.
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