Six Degrees of Desperation (Dirty Tricks) Read online

  “Not that it’s my business, but the bank.” The deputy shot a glance at Charli in the mirror. "Likely he won’t spend his nights carousing in a bar, picking fights.”

  The bodyguard shook his head. “Nah, she should choose the exciting, spontaneous one. Life’s too short to end up bored out of your mind.”

  Charli stared from the deputy to the bodyguard and back. “You two are not helping. I have to decide, tonight.”

  “It all boils down to what you want out of life," the bodyguard stated.

  “Sadly, I want both.” But that wasn’t the option she had to choose from. And given that by choosing one, she’d be sealing her fate with the other. Most likely, she’d end up with neither. Charli laid her face on her arms, knowing she had to get this matter settled and soon—she wouldn’t sleep until she did. The guilt and turmoil ate at her gut, twisting her insides into knots.

  When they arrived at the jail in Hole In The Wall, Charli asked to use the phone. Her first and only call was to Audrey, the one person in all her world she could count on to bail her out. She tried the phone at the Ugly Stick Saloon. No answer. Then she tried Audrey’s cell phone, which rang four times then went to voicemail. Charli left a message and handed the phone to the bodyguard. So much for being bailed out anytime soon. Hopefully, Audrey would sort quickly through the disaster of the evening, the sheriff's deputies and wreckage of the saloon.

  Charli cringed at what she’d find the next day when she returned with the rest of the staff to set everything to rights before the next wave of rodeo contestants and locals arrived that evening. Assuming she was sprung from jail by then.

  Focusing on the mess of the saloon helped her to push the main source of her worries to the back of her mind, if only for a moment.

  The deputy led her to an empty jail cell and locked the bars behind her. “The judge is on his way in to set bail. Shouldn’t be long.”

  “Good, I have a lot to do before this night is over.” She sat on the inch-thick mattress on the single bunk and stared at the empty cell across from hers, silently rehearsing the speech she’d give Connor when she finally saw him. And no matter what, she’d see him as soon as she was released from this hell hole.

  Another deputy appeared, leading the bodyguard. He opened the door to the larger cell across from her and motioned for him to enter. The man sat on a hard bench and leaned back against the wall, his hands clasped between his knees. “I didn’t sign on for this.”

  “Yeah, you and me both.” Charli smiled across the space between their cells. “Since we’re going to be neighbors, what’s your name?”

  “Race Bennett.”

  “I’m Charli Sutton.” She smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  He nodded. “Same.”

  Charli clapped her hands on her bare knees, the ruffles of her skirt sliding to either side. “So, Race, who’s your boss?”

  “James Stratton, of the Manhattan Stratton dynasty.”

  The name rang a bell, but Charli couldn’t quite put her finger on it. “Should I know him?”

  “He’s one of the wealthiest men in the United States.”

  Flashes of news reports zipped through Charli’s head. “That Stratton?”

  The bodyguard nodded. “The one and only.”

  “What the hell was he doing at the Ugly Stick Saloon? Aren’t there classier joints for him to hang at?”

  A smirk twisted the bodyguard’s mouth. “Looking for his daughter.”

  The bar scene flashed in her mind and Charli’s brows furrowed. “Oh, that would be the guy with the megaphone, yelling for Elizabeth somebody-or-other.”

  “Stratton,” the bodyguard corrected.

  “Didn’t she disappear a couple years back? I thought she was dead.”

  “He won’t give up as long as there’s not a body.”

  “Did he find her at the Ugly Stick?” Charli couldn’t imagine finding anyone that important at the saloon.

  “He’s convinced he did. I’m not so sure.”

  “Well, good luck to him.” Charli glanced up as another deputy led a procession down the narrow aisle between the jail cells. Behind him, three men in black suits marched in sync.

  When the deputy paused to open the door to the same cell in which the bodyguard sat, he moved to the side, giving Charli a clear view of the men.

  The air left her lungs in a whoosh and she nearly fell out of her seat. All three men wore identical black suits and sported yellow roses on their lapels, their masks removed, their faces bare, uncovered and clear to see. “You,” she rasped.

  On his way through the open cell door, the lead man paused, his face flushing crimson.

  The other two men pushed past him into the cell, all looking so similar to the first, they had to be related.

  All the blood rushed from her head down to her gut as Charli rose from her seat on the bed and stalked to the bars, her fingers gripping the rungs. “Oh, my god, you’re the ones.”

  The man at the back of the line frowned, his head dipping low, his gaze going anywhere but toward hers. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, ma’am.” The way the tips of his ears turned a ruddy red gave away his lie.

  “The hell you don’t.” She leaned forward, her cheeks pressing against the bars. “You’re the men who’ve been in on the dirty tricks.”

  Not one of the men acknowledged or denied her statement, adding credence to her accusation.

  Charli studied them, her eyes narrowed. “I know you, don’t I?”

  The one closest to her smiled. “Maybe.”

  “You’re the O’Briens.” She pointed to the first one. “You’re Gabe, Tanner, and Sean. I know your sister, Molly, she applied to the Ugly Stick just last week.” Her face heated as she asked, “Which one of you was the first…my original sin? The one who showed up at Judge Stephens’s pool that night over two weeks ago?”She cast a glance at Race, wishing she could conduct this inquisition out of his presence.

  The three men looked from one to the other and finally, the one called Gabe shrugged. “We have no idea what you’re talking about.” This time, they all glanced at her, with open, blank gazes.

  If they were lying, they’d figured out how in the past minute, which led Charli to believe they were telling the truth for the first time.

  “Where’s the fourth guy? Is he another of your brothers? Aren’t there four O’Brien men?” Leaning into the bars, Charli felt as if she was the closest to learning the truth than she’d ever been.

  “Sorry, our youngest brother moved to NYC a couple months ago.”

  Charli’s heart sank and her grip tightened on the bars, her lifeline in the sea of disappointment. “Then who is he? Who’s the other man in the foursome?” She stared at each man, moving her gaze down the line.

  All three men clamped their lips tight. “Sorry. It’s not our place to tell.”

  Her jaw slackened, her anger rising. “Are you kidding me?”

  The bodyguard who’d been sitting silently on the bench behind them stood. “Tell the lady what she wants to know.”

  “Or what?” Gabe O’Brien asked. “You’ll take on all three of us?”

  “Bring it.” Sean and Tanner shucked their jackets, exposing broad shoulders and trim waists.

  “Not worth it, Race.” Charli leaned against the rails. “They’re not gonna tell and you’ll only get slapped with more jail-time. I’m not worried about it. As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with them. All of them. I’ve had enough lying and secrets to last a lifetime.”

  The brothers all looked at her at once. “Don’t give up now. It’s just starting to get interesting.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m done with the three of you. It’ll be hard enough seeing you guys on the street, knowing what you know about me.” Heat filled her chest and rose up to burn in her cheeks. Charli sank onto the bed. “Just do me a favor, will ya, and keep it to yourselves. Promise me, or I’ll sic Race on you after all.”

  The three O’Briens raised their hands and
Gabe spoke for them. “We don’t kiss and tell.”

  “Uh-huh.” Charli laughed, the effort completely without humor. “I’m supposed to believe that?”

  “An O’Brien’s word is his bond.”

  “Well, good, at least there’s that.” Charli leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes. “How did my life get to be such a big damn mess?”

  “Maybe I can help you out.” A warm, sexy voice sounded from the hallway leading into the cell area.

  Charli’s eyes flicked open. For a second, she thought the fourth man in the crew had arrived. But when she opened her eyes, her stomach did a back-flip to a belly-flop.

  Connor Mason stood outside her cell, dressed in his white shirt, carrying his white cowboy hat and sporting a dark purple shiner on his left eye and a bruise on his chin. He smiled and winced. “Hey, beautiful.”

  A sheriff’s deputy reached around Connor to unlock the door to Charli’s cell. “You’re free to go. You can thank Mr. Mason for posting the bail.”

  “Thanks, Jack.” Connor shook hands with the deputy. “See you at the rodeo tomorrow?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Could use a little rest and relaxation after tonight’s haul.”

  Connor held out his hand to Charli. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”

  Charli glanced across the aisle at the men behind the bars in the other cell, her stomach a mass of butterflies, just waiting for the O’Briens to spill the beans and confess their part in the whole mystery cowboy charade.

  They nodded toward Connor as one.

  “Hey, Connor,” Gabe said. “Surprised you made it out on your own two feet.”

  “I would have been on the other side of the bars had someone not cleaned my clock. The EMTs found me out cold under a table.”

  “Oh, baby.” Charli hurried forward, glaring at the deputy. “I was trying to get to you, but some witch decided it was time for a girl fight.”

  “I heard.” Connor grinned and pulled her into his arms, brushing a kiss across her lips. “Quite the talk, how you showed her.”

  Charli’s lips thinned. “Stupid woman. I wasn’t there to fight.” She dragged in a long breath. “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Same here. And I didn’t get that dance you promised.”

  “Hey, what about us?” Sean O’Brien called out.

  Connor grinned at the men. “Molly’s signing for the three of you now. Won’t be but another minute or so.

  The door to the outer offices opened and the perky auburn-haired baby sister of the O’Brien brothers bounced through. “Caused enough trouble for one night, boys?”

  Charli paused in front of the bodyguard. “Need me to bail you out?”

  He shook his head. “My partner or my boss will be by soon enough. Don’t worry about me. You have enough to think about.” He nodded toward Connor. “If he gives you any trouble, I’ll be staying at the Temptation lodge…once I get sprung from this joint. Call me.”

  Her heart warmed by a stranger, Charli let Connor lead her toward the exit.

  Connor waved to the O’Briens. “I’ll be at the ranch, bright and early tomorrow morning to help load the horses.” He hooked Charli’s elbow, escorted her through the doors and out into the night.

  As she climbed into the cab of Connor’s pickup, Charli’s heartbeat ratcheted up into high gear. The time had come to fess up, to set the story straight. She waited until Connor pulled out onto the highway headed for Temptation. “I’m sorry you got hurt in that brawl.”

  Connor glanced sideways, with a smile. “I just hate that you had to spend time in a jail cell.”

  Charli shrugged. The experience hadn’t been that bad and she’d at least discovered the identities of three of the four men who’d made love to her in the storeroom earlier that evening. For what it was worth, she had some of the truth. “We need to talk.”

  “I agree. But can we save it until I get you home? I could use an icepack on this eye, and I’m sure you’ll want to clean up and change out of that outfit.” He nodded toward the corset and skirt. “Not that I don’t like it, but I’m feeling a bit overdressed with you.”

  “But I wanted to tell you—”

  His hand reached out and captured hers. “Let it ride.”

  The warmth of his calloused fingers seeped into her hand. Charli leaned back against the leather seat, chewing on her bottom lip. Okay, just until she got to her place. She’d enjoy the last few minutes she’d be with Connor, holding his hand as if he might actually be in love with her.

  She almost laughed, but she was afraid the laughter would turn hysterical and she’d bust out crying. Why, oh, why had she made love to the men in the storeroom, especially knowing Connor would be there that night and she’d be breaking it to him that she’d had an affair while dating him?

  Sitting silently beside him now was tearing her heart in two. This time tomorrow, she’d be alone again, unloved, unwanted and back to square one, only worse. Now she knew how exciting Temptation could be with the right person…or persons. But her adventure would be over and she’d have to move on.

  “Tired?” Connor squeezed her hand gently.

  “Exhausted.” All the worry, the fight, the internal battles had taken their toll. Charli closed her eyes and let the silence wash over her like a soothing balm, the scent of leather and cowboy lulling her into a false sense of calm. Her announcement could wait until she had him alone at her house. For now, she wanted to hold Connor’s hand and pretend all was right with the world. Even if only for the few minutes involved in driving from Hole In The Wall to Temptation and her house.

  All too soon, Connor pulled into her driveway and released her hand.

  Charli sat staring forward, all the dread of the evening welling up inside. The time had come to confess.

  Connor shifted into park and dropped down out of the truck, rounding the hood to open her door.

  All her energy drained away, Charli let him. After the craziness of the past couple weeks, she’d be glad to put this all behind her and move on with a normal life. She snorted. Who was she kidding? She’d loved almost every minute—except the ones she’d spent worrying about her deception and lies. She’d never felt so alive and desired. And all that would go away once they had their “talk”.

  “Come here, baby. You look all done in.” Connor held out his hands, grabbed her around the waist and swung her down to the ground and into his arms.

  She braced her hands on his chest. “Connor—”

  Before she could say another word, he kissed her, his mouth sealing over hers, his tongue delving between her teeth to slide alongside hers.

  The longer Connor kissed her, the weaker Charli’s knees grew until she had to slide her arms around his waist to help hold herself up.

  Without breaking their connection, Connor scooped her up into his arms and carried her to her door. His head came up with a butterfly kiss to the tip of Charli’s nose. “Where’s your key?”

  Breathless and a little lightheaded, Charli chuckled. “At the Ugly Stick Saloon in my purse.”

  “That could be a problem.”

  With a grin, she nuzzled the side of his neck. “Only if I didn’t keep a spare under the flowerpot on the porch.”

  He set her on her feet.

  Charli retrieved the key and handed it to him, her hands shaking enough she feared she’d fumble and drop it.

  Connor opened the door.

  When Charli tried to step past him to enter, he put out his hand. “Wait.”

  Then he scooped her into his arms and carried her across the threshold, like a newly married man, carrying his new wife into the home they’d share for the rest of their lives.

  A lump the size of her fist lodged in Charli’s throat and tears welled in her eyes. She blinked fast, praying Connor didn’t see them. It was one thing to blow the relationship of a lifetime, it was another to be caught crying about it when it was your own darned fault.

  “Put me down, Connor,” Charli choked out, past constri
cted vocal cords.

  “I will.” He grinned and marched through the living room to Charli’s bedroom. “Now.” He set her on her feet and smoothed a hand through her hair. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of making love to.”

  “Connor.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “You need to listen to me.”

  He kissed her finger and drew her hand into his. “Me first.” His hands slipped around her waist. “I’ve had my eye on you since I returned to Temptation and the first time I heard you sigh across the bar in the Ugly Stick Saloon.”

  “That seems like such a long time ago.” Yet the meeting had only been a couple weeks earlier.

  “I think it was love at first sight.”

  Although it hadn’t been exactly love at first sight for her, she remembered her initial attraction to the fair-haired ex-marine, his face clearly etched in her mind, his words, challenging her to find the excitement in Temptation. Charli shook her head. “How long had you been deployed?”

  “Long enough to know what I wanted when I got back from the sandbox.” His fingers twisted the strings on the back of her corset. “And I want you.” He tugged the bow, the corset strings loosened and her breasts spilled from their confinement.

  “Connor, I—” God, he wasn't making this easy.

  “Shh.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Just let me love you.

  Chapter Six

  His mouth moved across hers, teasing her lips open so that his tongue could slip between her teeth and claim hers.

  The long slow slide of warm wetness made Charli’s pussy clench, heating her core. Her fingers threaded through his hair, drawing him closer, her hips pressing into his, her naked breasts rubbing against the crisp white cotton of his button-down shirt.

  He found the zipper of her skirt and slid it down, pushing the fabric over her hips. The smooth, silky material floated to the floor, a black pool of ruffles, and she stepped out of the circle. He worked the strings looser on the corset and let it follow the skirt.

  When she stood before him in nothing but her black, lace thong panties, all her thoughts of telling him the truth had flown. All her focus turned to getting him as naked as she was. The sooner the better, before her body exploded into a fiery inferno of need.