Domini didn’t bother to look at the cloth pulled tightly across her breasts. Thinking they had another night to sleep in the open, she had chosen another of her old gowns to wear. She didn’t need to look down to see her nipples clearly revealed by thin layers of cloth. She had felt the tightening the moment Luke’s knee brushed against hers.
“Does it give you pleasure to know you make me feel like a puta you bought? You’re a coldblooded bastard, Luke.”
“Told you before, bastard’s my middle name.” He eased deeper in the saddle, leaning back to stop himself from grabbing hold of her and hauling her up into his lap.
“The kind of pleasure I want from you is steeped in sin. All the sweeter for it, but fickle as a disappearing vein of gold.” He released her reins and Devil pivoted on his hocks. Luke looked back at her. “But you can’t accuse me of being cold-blooded, honey. Not around you. You keep my blood pitched hot enough to burn down the mountains.
“An’ if you want anyone to believe that I’m-holier-than-the-vows-I’m-about-to-take nun act, don’t curse. After all, you’ve only got your word that you’re who you claim to be.”
“You accepted it quick enough. I wasn’t lying then, and I’m not lying now, Luke. James Kirkland is my father.”
“Was, honey. He’s dead, remember?”
If her gaze was a loaded gun, Luke’s back would have been riddled with holes. I remember, Luke. I can’t forget.
Domini found herself adding his warning to the others he had given her. Just as Luke’s wariness increased, she found herself digging deep inside to bring forth the same finely honed edge of wariness that had helped her survive. Hard as Luke’s razor-like coldness was to swallow, she remained quiet and followed him. But she still wondered if Luke had lost his soul or come out a winner in a game with Toma Colfax.
Not more than ten minutes later, Domini rode out to where Luke waited and looked upon a valley that stole her breath.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Domini could only nod in response to Luke’s question. The setting sun spread scarlet fire over granite walls rising like sentinels protecting the verdant bowl of the valley floor. Gem-like ribbons of water dotted the lush meadows, and a lake shimmered in a cupped depression.
With each sweeping look Domini added details. The snake-back rail fences that divided one side of the valley revealed, upon closer inspection, small herds of horses and cattle. Riders appeared in twos and threes, all heading toward the corrals near log buildings shaded orange and gold as the sun dipped lower behind the snow-capped mountains.
The last dying rays cast blood-red shadows on a sprawling house built of native stone. A few towering pines shaded one side. Her gaze swept over that house time and again, barely touching upon the smaller sheds and barns.
She was staring down at a man’s empire, an empire bought with gold. She fully understood now, as she had not before, the immense power and wealth she was about to confront. Alone. She glanced at Luke. He leaned forward with forearms resting on the saddle horn, watching as she watched the tiny stick figures moving around.
“You ready to go down?”
Was she? Domini wasn’t sure. But she had come this far, and the choice had never been hers alone.
“Lead on, Luke.” She cast one last look below and told herself the shiver rippling over her was from the chill in the air. It had nothing to do with the dark stone walls that enfolded the valley. It was only the reddened light of the sun that made her think of the fires of hell. That, and Luke’s constant reminder that Toma Colfax’s home was the devil’s caldron.
She looked up and tracked the lone flight of an eagle. In watching the massive bird of prey’s gliding flight on air currents, Domini spotted a small log cabin nestled against the towering pines on a rock shelf above them. She could only imagine the spectacular view it afforded whoever lived up there.
Luke noted her interest but said nothing. They were drawing closer to the stone fortress where Toma ruled. The clang of the supper bell rang from the bunkhouse porch. Riders kept at a distance as they rode to heed its call. He wondered if Three Fingers Moran was still cooking for the hands.
He shifted in the saddle, trying to ease the tension that tightened every muscle. Closer they rode, and from a nearby pasture a muscular appaloosa stallion, distinctively marked on the rump and back with black spots, trumpeted a challenge and galloped toward the fence with his sweeping black tail raised like a banner.
Devil tossed his head to whinny a greeting, but the sorrel flicked her ears uneasily, dancing in a nervous side step despite Domini’s effort to hold her to a walk.
“Let out the rein an’ give her her head,” Luke ordered. “She knows he’s caught her scent, an’ the lady ain’t anxious to be mounted. She’ll settle once we’re passed.”
He made sure Domini obeyed him, ready to take control of the mare if she didn’t settle down.
“Since I brought you into the valley through the hind end, you’ll have to ride a ways to come around front of the house.”
“I’ll have to ride … alone?” Domini couldn’t look at him. She couldn’t fault Luke’s knowledge about horses, for the mare had stopped fighting her even though the stallion trumpeted another call from the end of his pasture fence.
“Didn’t figure you’d like the idea.” He neck-reined Devil to veer off the beaten dirt track, heading for the trees that sheltered one side of the massive, sprawling house.
Luke, in the lead, saw the welcome party waiting on the front porch. His tension increased and communicated itself to Devil. Snorting, the horse made an attempt to rear, chewing the bit resentfully until Luke regained control of himself and his horse. Snugging his hat brim lower, he steeled himself. Matt Colfax wasn’t alone. Coming down the wide stone steps was the old man himself, with the wrath of the devil gleaming from eyes black as his own.
Chapter 12
“Where the hell have you been? I got to hear from hands that you were in Florence. Sent Grady to look for you, an’ come to find out that Matt already had Caully and Ramsey trying to find you.”
“Hello to you, too, old man. It’s been a while. Not long enough, but who’s countin’.” It was just like Toma to forget their last fight, when the old man ordered him to leave because he thought the only way to do anything was his way.
“What’s this you got with you, Luke?”
“It’s a woman. Or have you gone blind since I’ve been gone?”
“I ain’t blind. Can see for myself that you’re bringing your trash with you.”
Domini felt the heat that colored her face. She sat up straighter and reined her sorrel a little closer to Luke. She didn’t understand why he was plainly reluctant to introduce her and insisted on goading a man who could only be Toma Colfax. She sensed someone standing well back in the shadows of the porch, but couldn’t take her gaze from the man who called her trash.
He was as tall as Luke and as straight as a lodgepole pine. Gray peppered his thick hair, two almost white streaks springing from his temples. She gave him back stare for stare, refusing to let the powerful cast of craggy features intimidate her. He wore his wealth in gleaming black leather boots, finely tailored pants, and a ruffled white shirt beneath a supple black leather vest. A rich sheen of gold relieved the black vest in the watch chain strung between pockets. On his left hand he wore a pinky ring with a blood red stone set in gold.
Despite his wealthy trappings, Domini formed a decision based on years of sizing up those she could beg from—Toma wasn’t one. As her gaze returned to clash with his beneath hooded brows, she knew this was a man who had no charity in his soul. Why then had he paid to have her taken in by the mission? Why had he sent her money to come here?
She couldn’t wait for Luke. She had to tell him who she was.
But Luke spoke before she marshaled herself.
“Actually, old man, she ain’t mine. Think of me as your personal freight deliverer.”
“What in God’s name are you talkin’ about, Luke?”
“I’m talkin’ about the fact that I picked up your ordered package an’ delivered her safe and sound to you.”
“My ordered—” Toma looked from Luke to the bold young woman who watched him with eyes older than his own years. “Who the hell is she?”
“Toma Colfax, meet Jim Kirkland’s daughter.”
“Daughter?”
Domini didn’t miss the choking sound of that word or the way Toma quickly hid his shock. She glanced at Luke, thoroughly confused.
“I swear I didn’t lie to you. He did send for me.”
“Send for you? Like hell I did! Didn’t know where in tarnation you were.” Toma started down the step, then changed his mind.
“Com’on, old man, you ain’t forgot Dominica. Jim used to talk about her all the time.”
“You believe this cock an’ bull story?”
“Look at her eyes, old man. Or are you blind? She’s got Jim’s green eyes. What you should be askin’ is who sent for her if you didn’t.” Luke set his blunted spurs to Devil’s side, and the big horse backed away. “I’ve done my part. I know you’ll excuse me so you can get on with this touching reunion.” He flipped his right hand at his hat brim. “Nice to see you again, Matt. I was real touched that you were concerned about me. Only the next time you send Caully after me, I’m comin’ after you.”
“Stay where the hell you are, you bastard!” Toma ordered, coming down the steps to grab hold of Devil’s reins. “You’re not dumping this on my step and riding off again.” Aware that they were attracting attention, Toma released the reins to motion away his curious hands.
“Let’s go inside and sort this out.” Turning to Domini, he added, “If you are who you claim, I’ll get to the bottom of this. In the meantime you’re welcome into my home.”
“Gracious old bastard, ain’t he?”
Domini didn’t answer Luke. She saw that he did dismount, but she remained on the sorrel. The vicious undercurrents that she sensed made her waver. But you’ve come so far and waited so long.
Truth that could not be denied. Yet fear touched her, too. If Toma wasn’t lying, then who had sent for her? And why?
She broke off her thoughts. Toma was already inside. Luke had his back toward her, tying off his horse. There was no sign of the man Luke had addressed as Matt.
“Luke, what’s going on here?”
“Beats me. But you heard him. Welcome to his home. He won’t shoot you. Toma’s become too civilized to settle his problems with a bullet.”
He saw her give in for a moment to fear. Then with a rough shake of her head, she contained it. He admired that in her.
“Climb down, honey. I don’t want to put my hands on you.”
“I trust you, Luke.”
“Yeah. I know. Hell of a burden to put on a man who doesn’t trust himself.”
Motionless, Luke waited and watched her with a hunter’s patience. He was discovering that sensual teasing mixed with honesty worked with a young woman as passionate as Domini.
The flashes of passion she had revealed were a lure greater than the gleam of midnight hair and a body that sweetly curved to the fit of his. And the passion in her called to him as restlessly as the wind whispering promises.
He thought of Matt, waiting inside, and knew she would never know the rough edge of his tongue—Matt would whisper loving lies, smooth and skilled, using the manners of a gentleman while he unfastened her grip on virtue to plunder soft heat.
“Luke? It’s all right? I won’t put any more burdens on you.” She slid down and clung to the saddle, the slight trembling of her hands belying her words. Right now she wanted him to hold her. Hearing the savage hiss of his breath, Domini sheltered her eyes beneath a thick fringe of lashes, fighting to regain control of herself.
She should be thinking about the confrontation to come with Toma. She should be sorting out the lies Toma had spoken. All she could think about was Luke. A wild ride on a river’s fury, that’s how it’ll be. And she could feel desire’s siren call flowing through her, weakening her resolve. She wanted to laugh and release the tension coiling her insides … Luke hadn’t even touched her to make her feel this way. What would it be like if he did?
“Better go on in, Domini. No sense kicking up his temper before you’ve said your piece.”
Domini took a deep, steadying breath, released it, and looked away before she was ready to move. She started to untie her carpet bag when Luke stopped her for a moment.
“Leave it. O’Malley’ll come for your bag.”
“No. I don’t want anyone else touching it.” She managed the tie and lowered the bag to the ground.
“You let me carry it, Domini. What difference—”
“I told you I trust you, Luke. Curse all you want, but it’s the truth. There’s something I have to show him in this bag.” She looked over to where he stood. “You will come with me, won’t you?”
His answer was to stare at the house.
“Luke, Toma invited us both inside his home. He said we’d be welcome there.”
“Maybe for you, honey. There ain’t no welcome within those walls for me.”
She picked up her bag, clutching it tight, and walked to his side. She didn’t understand what spurred Luke to a barely hidden savagery, but she wanted him with her.
“Please, Luke?” she asked, touching his rigid forearm.
Luke released his breath in a soundless rush of air. Her touch increased the intensity of his desire. But one look into those wide green eyes and he saw her worry. He could no more refuse her than he could refuse his next breath.
He lifted his hand, fingers trailing beneath the curve of her jaw, lifting her face. “You don’t know what you’re askin’ of me, Domini. But I’ll stay with you for a while. Just until you get this sorted out. The thing is, I want something for my trouble.”
She gazed into his eyes, staring at the tiny splinters of gold lighting the black like fires burning. “Since you know I don’t have any money, you’ll be wanting something from me.”
“Nothing I haven’t had before. And not now. Later. I’ll claim my payment later.”
She couldn’t go back on her word that she trusted him. Her need for his support outweighed whatever Luke wanted from her. As much as she tried to ignore and deny it, Domini knew she stood at a crossroads that would change her life.
Taking her hand from his arm, she nodded. “I agree, but no more than what you’ve already had.”
In his mind he’d already had her seven ways to Sunday, and he grinned. “Just remember your terms, Domini. And if I’m not mistaken, O’Malley’s standin’ just inside the door takin’ this bargain in, an’ about ready to remind us that Mr. Colfax’s waitin’.”
“Right you are,” Mr. O’Malley said, stepping out onto the porch. “Mr. Colfax is not known for his patience, miss. Best come along.”
Domini climbed the steps with head high and back straight, wishing again that she had had time to change. The stone floor of the porch gave way to gleaming wood floors once she had crossed the threshold. Crystal prisms shimmered with rainbow colors from the two tall lamps lit to dispel the evening gloom.
“I’ll take your bag, miss.”
“No. This stays with me until after I’ve spoken to Mr. Colfax.”
“Just lead the way, O’Malley,” Luke said, taking hold of Domini’s arm. And to her, he whispered, “The old man will be in his office. Plenty of power an’ intimidation waiting there.”
Domini hung back a little as Mr. O’Malley started down the hallway. “Have you ever been intimidated, Luke? By him or anyone?”
“When I was too young to fight back.” He shot her a look, then slid his hand from her elbow to entwine his fingers with hers. With a gentle squeeze he added, “Don’t worry. I won’t let him or Matt hurt you.”
The gentle touch was at odds with the underlying savagery in his voice. Domin
i wondered if he was even aware of it. Seeing that Mr. O’Malley had paused near a doorway up ahead, Domini quickened her pace.
The bandy-legged man stood aside to let her and Luke pass inside, then closed the door behind them.
Domini didn’t need Luke to confirm that his guess had been right. This was a man’s room, with all the trappings of power prominently displayed. Toma stood by the fireplace, not a hint of his thoughts revealed on his face. Seated in a leather chair so that only his profile could be seen was another man, younger, far more handsome than Toma, and she knew this had to be Matt. The one that Luke had warned he’d go after. It was too much to sort out now. Her curiosity rose that Luke could talk to Toma’s son that way without a word to stop him.
“I suppose you feel you have a vested interest in this, Luke.”
“Yeah, Matt. You could say that.” Luke eyed the glass held in long fingers that would never know a callus from work. “You still drinking that fancy stuff?”
“Brandy is a gentleman’s drink.”
“An’ the old man still drinks his rotgut. Right?” Luke asked, glancing at Toma.
“Some things a man keeps to remind him where he’s been an’ where he’s standin’ now.”
“Ah, those humble beginnings.” Luke turned to Domini. “Matt drinks and talks like a gentleman, but he’s got the manners of a pig. Would you like something to drink? O’Malley should be along with coffee, but if you’d like something stronger…”
“No. Thank you, Luke, but no.”
“Then grab yourself a seat, but don’t sit close to the old man. He likes standing and staring down at people. Makes him feel real big and you mighty small.”
“Still the same son of a bitch on the prod, Luke.”
Domini never expected Luke to laugh, but he did. And she had her first good look at Matt when he leaned forward and turned toward her.
If Luke was an angel of darkness, Matt was surely an angel of light. He appeared as tall as Toma, with the same lean, rangy build. From the low-burning fire and the lamps lighting the room, his light brown hair seemed glided and bronzed. Whereas Luke’s hair was as black and straight as her own, and long enough to cover his shirt collar, Matt’s curled slightly to tumble over his broad forehead. His sideburns and back were neatly clipped.
Whisper My Name Page 12
