Indigo Sky (19 page)

Snarling, Rork shook him as though he were a rat. “If you want to live, you’d better shut your damn mouth.”

Despite the threats, Hank blustered like a bantam cock. “I could call you out for screwing my wife. The little slut has panted for you from the moment she set eyes on you.”

Rork smiled coldly. “Please name your second. I welcome a duel with you. Then I don’t have to go the messy route of tearing you apart.” He released Hank.

He staggered back, pouting and rubbing his arms. “So you have screwed my wife.”

“Don’t align her with your filthy dallying. I would never dishonor her. You are mistaken in your assumption.”

“I don’t believe you. I know my wife is spreading her legs for you.”

“You miserable bastard, you don’t deserve her.”

“And you do?” Hank sneered.

“Hell, yes.” Rork shook his head. “I am not having this discussion with you.”

Hank drew a pistol, his lip lifting in a snarl. “This is the only type of discussion you understand.”

“So, you would attempt to kill me again?” Rork folded his arms. “You sniveling coward. You failed before, and you will fail again.”

Leila came with her copy of the divorce papers, breathing heavily. “Just sign these, Hank.”

“If you think I’m going to waste time on divorce maneuvers, think again.”

“Cut out this crap, Hank. Kill me and you’ll hang, unless you plan to shoot Leila as well.” Hank’s raw, mirthless laugh raked Rork’s nerves. “Put the damn gun away. It won’t solve anything,” he said quietly, holding Hank’s wild eyes.

Hank cocked the hammer and swung the gun from Rork to Leila.

A shot rang out.

Chapter 25

Hank spun and fell like a skittle.

Alex stood a short distance away, a smoking revolver in his hand. “Seems I arrived in the nick of time.”

“Dear God.” Leila cried and ran to Hank, falling to her knees. Hesitating, she leaned down, putting her ear to his mouth. “I think he’s breathing.”

The driver’s eyes dilated. “Bugger me!” He leapt from the buggy and ran.

“What happened?” Sissy poked her head out the carriage window and emitted a piercing scream. “Hank!” The carriage door flew open, and she raced to his side. “My poor man, what have they done to you?” She sagged to the ground in a billow of blue satin and lace, grasping Hank’s hand.

“Your lover was shot, dear,” Rork drawled and walked to Alex. “You saved our lives, my friend. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Always thought the prick was deranged.” Alex smiled grimly and stuffed the revolver into his belt. “Who is the redhead bawling like a banshee?”

Rork jerked his head toward Hank. “His mistress. What was he doing here anyway? I had no idea he was an associate of yours.”

“He’s not, and I have no idea why he came calling.”

“Rork,” Leila cried. “I think Hank is alive.”

“Well, he would be,” Alex drawled. “Only shot the fool in the shoulder.”

“Oh.” Leila turned back to Hank. “Perhaps we should get him inside.”

Alex laughed. “I’m not coddling that cur in my house. Toss him into the carriage. His slut can drive him to a hospital.”

Hank grabbed Leila’s cape with a bloodied hand. “Listen to me,” he said hoarsely. “I deserved this.”

Leila took off her cape and stuffed it under his head. “You need to keep still, Hank.”

“I haven’t treated you well. Please forgive me.”

“I forgive you.”

He reached up and grabbed her hand, leaving a blood smear. “Does that mean you won’t divorce me?”

“Why, because you’ve been shot, Hank? You threatened to shoot us.” She shook her head. “I want a divorce more than ever now. And you need help with your addictions.”

Groaning, he reached up and pulled her head down, capturing her mouth.

She jerked away and glanced at Sissy, who glared at her. Leila wiped her mouth. “Your mistress will attend to your needs.”

“I don’t want the bitch!” he whined, clutching at Leila’s bodice. “I want you. I’ve always loved you. You love me, too. I know you do.”

“You couldn’t be more wrong. You killed any love I had for you.” Leila sneered. “I cannot abide your abusive behavior and dissipated lifestyle.” She tried to peel his fingers off her bodice. “Let me go, Hank.”

“I’ll change, Leila. I swear.”

She rose and glared down at him. “I’ve heard that before. You’ll never change. Marry Sissy, or don’t. I couldn’t care less anymore what you do with her. Just sign the divorce papers.”

Hank grabbed the hem of Leila’s dress. “Please, darlin’, don’t divorce me, I beg you.” He scowled at Sissy. “Go away. Piss off, bitch! You ruined my life.”

Sissy rocked back on her heels. “I am the one who stood behind you through all the hard times.”

He wrapped his arm around her legs and pulled her feet out from under her, sending her onto her back. “I said piss off!” Again, he squirmed toward Leila. “Don’t leave me . . . please.”

Leila stepped out of his reach.

Sissy scrambled to her knees. She grabbed Hank’s gun, her face contorted with rage. “You treacherous bastard!” She leveled the gun at his head and fired then swung the weapon to Leila. “Now you die, you sniveling bitch!”

Rork lunged forward and grabbed Sissy’s arm, twisting the gun from her hand. With an upward thrust, he jabbed his elbow into her jaw, knocking her senseless.

Alex put an arm around Leila. “Don’t look, honey.”

Leila’s breath escaped in labored gasps. She pressed a fist into her mouth. “This is my fault.” She stared at the bloody mess that was Hank’s face.

“Don’t talk nonsense, Leila,” Alex said, guiding her to his manse. “How could you possibly have known she’d shoot Hank?”

Tears snaked down her cheeks. “I’ve just witnessed the death of a great mind. Perhaps I should have stood by him, whatever the cost. Now Sissy’s life is also ruined.”

“Who gives a damn, and you’re being silly, Leila. Those two engineered their own fate.”

She tore away from his protective arms. “I can’t just walk away. He was my husband.” Leila brushed at her tears. “The least I can do is be with him,” she sobbed.

“Oh, for God’s sake, the man is dead.”

“You won’t understand,” she mumbled and hurried back. Kneeling beside Hank, she swallowed a sob and touched his lank, bloodstained hair, smoothing it back with trembling fingers.

Binding Sissy’s wrists with his stock, Rork picked her up and carried her to the carriage.

She revived and struggled against the strain of her bonds. “What happened? Let me go!”

Rork dumped her on the seat. “You’re not fooling anyone, sweetheart.” He slammed the door and strode back to Leila, lifting her and holding her against his chest. “I think you should go into the house with Alex, Leila.”

For a moment, she snuggled against his broad chest, drawing strength from him and sobbing uncontrollably.

“Please go. I’ll deal with this.”

“How can you refer to Hank as
this
?”

He held her close. “You’re overwrought. I’ll take Hank into town and make arrangements for his funeral and ensure Sissy is imprisoned.”

Leila pushed Rork away. “They’ll hang her.”

“Well, yes.”

“She doesn’t deserve to hang.”

“What are you suggesting, Leila?”

She turned her back on Rork and whispered, “Let her go.”

He took her arm and turned her to face him. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’ve caused enough pain by asking for a divorce in the first place. I think she honestly loved him.”

Alex approached, shaking his head. “As I said, honey, none of this is your fault.”

Leila’s eyes went from Alex to Rork. “I still feel responsible.” Her eyes skittered to Hank’s corpse, and she shuddered. “Sissy has always been hotheaded.” She twisted her bloodied hands. “Can’t we say Hank took his own life?”

Alex and Rork exchanged glances, and Rork shrugged. “If that’s what you really want.”

Alex rubbed his cheek, his eyes resting on her. “Will it make you feel less responsible?”

She nodded.

“Right, then I’ll release her.” Rork walked to the carriage, opened the door, and untied Sissy’s bonds.

“W-what is going on?” Sissy said, staring at him wide eyed, cringing against the seat cushions.

“Leila wants to let you go. We’re telling the authorities Hank shot himself.” His eyes hardened. “I want you to stay out of her life. Do you understand me?”

Sissy’s red curls bounced as she nodded. “I promise she’ll never see me again.”

“Good.” Rork turned from the carriage, and Leila pushed past him, moving toward Sissy. He grabbed her arm. “Damn it, Leila, the woman just killed Hank.”

Sissy leaned forward and grasped Leila’s hand. “Thank you. I didn’t mean to kill him. I swear.”

“I know.”

“Alex, could you ask one of your servants to find the driver, or perhaps we can use one of your men to take the body into town.”

“I’ll call my driver. The less people involved, the better,” Alex said and strode off to the stables.

Leila ran after him. “Please send Sissy to town in another carriage.”

Alex smiled. “You are too soft for your own good, madam, but I shall do as you ask.”

Rork covered Hank’s mutilated face and guided a weeping Leila to the manse.

“Thank you,” she said, her sobs muffled in a lace handkerchief.

“I hope this act of kindness doesn’t come back to haunt us.”

Chapter 26

Rork stood on the patio of the mansion. Icicles hung from the eaves. Kansas City’s buildings were outlined against an angry sky. He walked down the steps and wiped a drop of icy water from his neck. Brave spears of green grass poked through melting snow. Catching a whiff of lavender and vanilla perfume, he turned slowly.

Leila pulled her fur cape tighter around herself. “It’s still rather cold.”

He nodded and took her hand, tucking it into his arm. Snow crunched underfoot as they walked. “We’ll be able to travel west in a few weeks.” The cold brought a pink bloom to Leila’s cheeks. She’d never looked lovelier to him. “Have you given more thought to marrying me?”

She shook her head. “Hank’s death still haunts me.”

Stopping, he turned and took her shoulders. “How long must I wait, Leila?” He suffered the sorrow in her eyes. “He’s been dead for months.”

“I know, but I can’t help what I feel.”

Rork released a long breath.
How can I break this depression she seems to revel in?
He touched her cheek. “I love you. I want to marry you before we head west.”

A scowl marred her smooth forehead, and she brushed his hand away. “Don’t pressure me. Why can’t you leave me alone to grieve for my husband?”

“For God’s sake, Leila, less than five months ago you were hell-bent on divorcing him. What’s going on with you?”

“What’s going
on
with me? I’m grieving for my husband, that’s what’s going on.” She slapped his chest. “How can you be so insensitive?”

He grabbed her hand. “How can you be so hypocritical?” She dropped her chin and sighed. His heart fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”

“Yes, you did.” She spun and ran back to the manse.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “Damn, now I’ve gone and done it. I’m screwed.” Scowling, he watched her skirt agitate from left to right as she stormed up the steps and disappeared into the house. He shoved his hands into his pockets and milled about. “I need to make this right, but how do I get through to her?” He kicked clumps of snow. “Damn you, Hank. It was bad enough competing with you alive, but dead you’re an impossible fortress. I’m not going to let you win.”

He took off at a run, boots pounding across the wooden patio floor and into the manse. Breathing heavily, he stopped at her suite door and knocked.

“Go away!”

“If you don’t open this damn door, I’ll break the thing down.” He strained to hear her muffled response.

“Get out of my life!”

He leaned against the oak door. “I’m sorry I called you a hypocrite, Leila. I’m angry that you won’t marry me and jealous of Hank’s memory that you cherish.”

Movement, then silence.

“Leila?” He turned the doorknob, and it swung open a fraction. It seemed to be blocked. Putting his shoulder to the door, he pushed harder. It gave suddenly. A squeak emitted from inside, and he stumbled through to see Leila fall on her backside in a welter of silk petticoats. He stared at her long legs and cotton bloomers edged with lace.

Leila looked up at him, scowling. “Get out.”

All reason fled.

“No.” He bent, scooped her up, and carried her to the bed. The scent of her perfume and the heat from her body inflamed him. Laying her down, he held her wide-eyed gaze and slowly undid the buttons on her bodice.

“I told you to get out,” she said, and yanked his fingers away.

“You don’t mean it.”

“I-I do . . .” Her sobs stoked the fire in him.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. She gazed into his eyes through the blur.

“Rork, I love you, and I want you, but—” Letting those words out was like the first taste of something hot and delicious, as though it were a safe, secure secret that she didn’t have to share with anyone.

“I am weary. I’m tired of rejecting you.”
What harm is there in this? I want him
. She closed her teary eyes and wrapped her arms around Rork’s neck. “I can’t make you any promises Rork. Will you allow me to mourn my way? If I do this, will you love me through my pain?”

He nodded sagely. Leila loved his nod, for it had wisdom that spoke to her when she needed it.

He put one hand on her nape and lifted her face to his, kissing her tenderly. “You enslave me.”

He lost his breath. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.

The silk shirt fluttered down like snowflakes blowing in the wind.