Kit & Rogue (The Sons of Dusty Walker) (9 page)

She rubbed her forehead with one hand while holding his tightly with the other. “I’m not worried about that, I just can’t stand the thought that we’ve been…violated. Someone has stolen from us!”

She was right, Rogue thought. They’d both been hit…at the same time. He was mentally trying to connect the dots when someone walked up.

“Hello.” Kit said. “Are you ready for another coffee, Rogue?” she asked.

“Yea, that would be good.” When he looked up to the waitress, he almost dropped his cup.

It was the woman…the one from the other night.

“Rogue, I’d like to speak with you, please?”

She carried a tray and a rag. The woman was obviously working at the saloon. “This isn’t a good time,” Rogue began, seeing Kit’s questioning face.

“I’ve waited for you here for over a week. I don’t understand. You asked for me to come. You arranged it. Don’t you want me here? What about everything you said to me. Didn’t you mean it?”

Kit looked from Rogue to the stunning woman who stood at their table. She looked like a model. Next to this exotic beauty, she felt plain. What was going on? Her mind tried to make sense of what she was hearing, but her heart was sinking. “Would you like to sit down?” The woman looked like she was dead on her feet.

Rogue stared at Kit as if she’d lost her mind. “There’s no need. As I told this young lady last week, she’s mistaken me for someone else.”

“Thank you, I’m on my break.” Taking Kit up on her offer, she sat. “No, Rogue, I have your letters and your emails here.” She began digging in the deep pocket of her apron.

Kit was panicking, but she tried to remain calm. Rogue was her husband. But who was this? “What’s your name and where are you from?”

“I’m from Juarez, as Rogue knows.” She looked at Kit with something that appeared to be jealousy. “My name is Lucia. My given name is Cordova, but my married name is Walker.”

Kit shook her head and swallowed. Surely she’d misunderstood. “What did you say?”

Lucia placed a small sheaf of papers in front of Rogue. “You act like you don’t know me, yet we’ve talked for months. You told me you loved me. You sent me money. You asked me to come to you.” She looked back at Kit who was staring stone-faced with tears in her eyes. “I am Rogue’s wife.”

“No. Hell, no.” Rogue looked at Kit. He felt like a rug had just been jerked out from under his feet. “Last week was the first time I even knew you existed, lady.”

“It looks like we arrived just in time.” A gruff male voice sounded behind Rogue.

He glanced back to see his friends. “Zane, Elijah.” Rogue said their names with relief in his voice. The Calvary had arrived. Hopefully they’d have answers.

“I seem to be having another problem here. This woman is claiming that I’ve been communicating with her, that I sent her money.” Rogue was watching Kit. She was believing this shit! “It’s ridiculous, but she’s claiming we’re married.”

Kit cleared her throat. “I’m a bit confused. I thought you married me.”

If Rogue could have turned back time and started this day over, he would have flown around the world like superman. Unfortunately–he wasn’t, he didn’t even own a damn cape. “I did marry you, baby.”

“You married me also. By proxy. I have the notarized papers to prove I am your wife.”

Standing by Zane, Elijah cleared his voice, then announced dryly. “This may be a little cliché–but will the real Mrs. Rogue Walker please stand up?”

Kit felt like every nightmare she’d ever had was coming true. She stood. “I think I need to go.”

Rogue jumped up. “No, wait. Kit, please don’t leave. This is all just a huge mistake. A wild misunderstanding. I don’t know this woman.”

Lucia looked stricken. Kit actually felt sorry for her. “I think you two need to talk.”

She walked away. Glancing at Elijah and Zane, Rogue gave them an exasperated look, then took off after Kit. “Wait, please!”

He grabbed her arm, but she tried to pull away. Guiding her down a hall that led to the restrooms, Rogue tried to take her in his arms. “You’ve got to listen to me. Something is going on and I can’t explain any of this.”

Kit wanted to believe him. She wanted to, but she had a really bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Are you telling me this isn’t real? Is this a ruse? Is somebody pulling an incredibly bad joke on you? Or has everything we shared been a lie?”

“No, it hasn’t been a lie.” He looked stricken. “But I don’t know what’s going on.”

Trying to stay calm, Kit covered her face with both hands. Then, a horrible thought struck her. “Is this payback? Did you do all of this to return the humiliation of me leaving you naked on the side of the road?”

“Hell, no. I have you, now. There’s nothing more I want in this world than you.” Rogue was pleading for his life. “I love you, Kit-Kat.”

Kit’s body seemed like a magnet and his was a lodestone. She was so drawn to him. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself in his arms and pretend none of this was happening–but it was. “I’m going to go. You seem to have a lot of things to straighten out. I’ll talk to you later.”

Rogue grabbed her, but she slipped through his fingers. He felt lost.

A touch on his shoulder alerted him that someone had come close. “Rogue, I think we need to talk to this woman.” It was Zane. “Where can we go?”

Rogue thought a minute. He didn’t want to go to D. Walker, this wasn’t something he wanted the employees or his brothers to get wind of–not yet anyway. And he couldn’t go to White Wing... “Let’s go to Dusty’s place at Osprey Lake. We’ll have some privacy there.” He’d give Marliss a call and tell her they were coming. For the time being he didn’t know what was going on, but Rogue knew he could count on her to be discrete.  

“I think you need to speak to Lucia.” Zane suggested. “I’m not giving any credence to what she claims, but she may know something.”

“About what?”

“I’ll explain when we’re alone.”

Zane’s explanation was no explanation at all. Rogue felt like he’d stepped through the looking glass. The Twilight Zone seemed a friendlier place than his world did at the moment. He looked back toward the table where Elijah sat with Lucia. They seemed to be deep in conversation. Reluctantly, he moved toward them. His partner was dressed in his usual attire–jeans, a western shirt and a blue jean jacket. Boots and hat went without saying. His eyes wandered to the woman. She was a pretty little thing, he supposed. Hell, Rogue was so in love with Kit, he could barely give this woman a passing glance. She’d been instrumental in hurting the woman he loved and that wasn’t something he could forgive easily.

              Stepping over to the table where his best friend sat talking with the stranger, Zane spoke evenly. “Lucia, Miss Cordova, would you mind coming with us so we can work some of this out?”

“My name is Lucia Walker,” she cut Rogue a hurtful glance. “Yes. I will speak with you, but I request some time alone with my husband first.”

Rogue was about to flat out refuse. Before he could, Elijah stood, took him by the arm. “Walk with me a second.” There was hardly anyone else in the establishment at this hour, and none that were paying them much attention.

“What?”

His tone was sharp, but Elijah didn’t react. He realized that Rogue’s ire was not directed at him, it was just the situation. “I’ve been talking to her.” Placing his hands on his hips, Eli shook his head. “I’ll eat my Stetson if that woman has an ulterior motive. She’s got some story.”

“I’m not interested in her story right now.” Rogue didn’t think he was being unreasonable.

Raising his hand, Eli nodded. “I know. It’s possible, however, that she’s just as much of a victim as you are.”

Rogue opened his mouth, started to say something, then closed it. He glanced back at where his lawyer talked to Lucia Cordova. “All right. I’ll listen.”

“Good, because something big is going on, and I don’t think this woman has the technological know-how or the wherewithal to do it.”

“What do you mean?” Rogue asked, but Zane interrupted them.

“Let’s speak to the manager and see if we can get Lucia time off so we can get to the bottom of this.”

“Good idea.” Together they went to the saloon manager’s small office. Rogue had met him a couple of times. He was a bearded middle-aged man with a beer gut. His redeeming quality was a jovial attitude and a ready smile.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Walker?” He threw back his head and laughed. “I’m not sure which one you are, but I do know you are a Walker.”

Zane smirked. “And you used to think you were special.”

Rogue ignored his smart-ass lawyer. “We have some business with your employee, Mrs.…uh Walker. Could we arrange for her to have a bit of time off to take care of some legal affairs?” He put his hand over his wallet. “I’d be glad to cover any loss you might incur.”

“Nah,” the man waved his hand, “I’ll just clock her out. I just felt sorry for her. She seems to be a nice lady.” He winked at Rogue and Zane. “And she’s good for business. Very easy on the eye.” Centering his attention on Rogue, he asked. “I couldn’t help but notice her last name. Any relation?”

“Nope, not that I know of.” Rogue answered. “Thanks, I appreciate it. We’ll have her back as soon as we can.”

Zane clapped his client and friend on the shoulder. “One day we’ll look back at all of this and laugh, I promise you.”

Rogue sighed. “God, I hope so.”

When they emerged from the office, Elijah was waiting, his hand at the woman’s back.

“Let’s take my rental.” Zane pointed toward the door. “Lead the way, Rogue.”

*  *  *

Kit stood in front of the sink and bathed her face in cold water. She’d just thrown up. Honestly, she didn’t know what to think. She was so confused. Her heart was torn. She wanted to believe her husband, but the evidence was so damning. The analytical part of her brain told her that she shouldn’t be surprised–like father, like son. Several people had just warned her of that fact. The other part of her, the emotional side, kept remembering what it felt like to kiss him, how he’d saved her…how he loved her.

“God, what do I do?”

She didn’t want to do anything too hasty. What she needed was space and a little time to think. Going into her living room, she sat down at the desk to write Rogue a note.

Rogue

I don’t really understand what’s going on. I do know things aren’t right. I’m going to take some time and travel around to the different auctions, do some investigating concerning my stolen horse. I might stay with my mother for a few days. I want to believe that what we have is real. I really do. Take care.

Kit

With a sigh, she propped it on the pillow in the bedroom they’d been sharing. An uneasy, uncertain feeling made her wonder if she was doing the right thing. They’d only been married a few days…if they were married. “Rogue!” She cried out his name and sat down on the bed to cry. Only the threat of Rogue coming home early gave her the energy to pack a bag and leave.

She couldn’t face him right now, not until she knew more–she just couldn’t.

*  *  *

Marliss greeted Rogue and the others with food and drink. It was just her way. “Come on in. Come on in. Make yourself at home. There are sandwiches, cookies, coffee and soft drinks.” She immediately noticed Lucia looked tired. “Would you like some tea?”

“Si, please.”

Rogue noticed that Lucia looked very grateful. He also noticed that Elijah stuck by her like fly paper. What the hell was going on?

Zane led the way into Dusty’s office suite, picking up a sandwich along the way. “Let’s set up in here.” Rogue followed while Elijah waited for Marliss to get Lucia her tea. He took a moment to look around. There was a fire in the fireplace, and carafes of scotch sat on the credenza. The large mahogany desk was clean, but a Mont Blanc fountain pen lay ready to be used. If Rogue hadn’t known better, he would’ve expected Dusty to come strolling in and start talking about some sure deal. An uncharacteristic twinge of regret shafted through Rogue’s heart. Did he miss his father?

That question was just one of many. First things first, he had to find out what was going on and who was out to destroy his life.

Setting down his briefcase, Zane unbuttoned the French cuffs on his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. It was obvious he was ready to get down to business. “All right. We have a lot to discuss, but I think we need to deal with Lucia first. Hold on.” He walked out to where the other pair were talking with Marliss. Rogue could hear him talking. “Give us a few minutes, Rogue will be glad to talk to you, Lucia. Don’t worry.” He gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder and a smile. “We’ll work all of this out.”

Returning to Dusty’s office, he shut the door. “All right. Something’s going on. Your accounts have been hacked, but let’s deal with Lucia first. I’m not sure if it’s connected or just some bizarre coincidence.” He sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk and motioned for Rogue to take the other. “So, level with me. Have you been visiting any of those dating sites? Have you been flirting with this woman online, exchanging nude photos perhaps?”

At first Rogue didn’t say anything. Zane was his lawyer. Zane was his friend. Shouldn’t he be presuming his innocence, not questioning it? “No, I have never visited a dating site and I’ve never had any communications with Lucia Cordova. And I sure have never sent anyone a picture of my dick!”

Zane picked up his phone, scanning through his contacts. “She seems sincere. I’m going to give Presley a call, hold on.”

As his friend placed the call to his wife, Rogue let himself mull over the idea that Lucia believed what she was saying. But how was that possible? He steeled himself from feeling sorry for her.

“Hey, baby,” Zane began. “How are you feeling? Good. I miss you too.” He smiled. Rogue looked on, a bit of jealousy washed over him. He wanted to be able to call Kit like this. Right now, she probably wouldn’t answer the phone if he were to call her. Once the idea was there, he couldn’t turn loose of it. Taking his phone out, he hit the number one, which he had programmed in her name. It rang and rang–she didn’t pick up. “Hell.”

He guessed he had his answer.

Zane was still conversing with his wife and Rogue couldn’t help but overhear. “Presley, I need for you to see what information you can dig up on a Lucia Cordova from Juarez, Mexico.” He paused, his eyes meeting Rogue’s. “I realize info from that part of the world is hard to come by. I have a contact in the El Paso police department. Look in my rolodex, his name is Juan David Santiago. He’ll know who to call in Juarez to find out what we need to know.” Zane shifted in his seat, placing one booted foot on the opposite knee. “She could be a prostitute, we don’t know. Don’t leave any stone unturned.” He smiled big. “Yes, of course. I love you too.” He looked at Rogue. “Presley says ‘hi’.”

Rogue couldn’t help but grin. Presley was one talented lady lawyer. That she was also a sweet pretty lady made her a catch in anyone’s book. Zane Saucier was a lucky man. “Tell her ‘hi’ back and thank you.”

Soon Zane was off the phone, shifting his attention back to his client. “Okay, we’ll start our investigation on this lady. In the meantime, before we address your other issues. I think you need to listen to what she has to say. She obviously thinks she has some type of claim on you, let’s find out what it is.”

Rogue stood. “You’re right. There’s no harm in it now, Kit already thinks I’m my father’s son. I go from no wives to two wives in one week. That has to be a record.”

“Well, we’ll work to reduce that number back down to one again.” Zane knew the oilman’s weak attempt to make a joke was only a poor cover-up for how he was really feeling–like shit. “You stay here, I’ll send her in.”

Before Rogue was ready, Zane was out the door and Lucia was coming in. If Marian Lansing had done nothing else, she’d raised a gentleman. He stood.

Lucia felt like she was walking before a firing squad. This man was not her Rogue Walker. She had never felt so alone in her life. Even living with ever-present danger in Juarez, she’d never felt this hopeless. When she entered the room, the face she saw was familiar, but the eyes that looked back at her held no welcome, no friendship and certainly no love.

“Please sit.” Rogue gestured toward the chair across from him.

Lucia went to the leather armchair, tugging it backwards away from the man a couple of feet. Distance seemed preferable.

Rogue waited patiently while she took a seat. He couldn’t help but notice how worn her clothes appeared. They were clean, meticulously mended, but he could see places that were almost threadbare. It was obvious she’d worn the skirt and blouse many times.