“And how well do you know him, Caitlin? Did you know that he was in prison for years after murdering his own father?”
“In prison?”
She hadn’t known. It was a small but important point in her favor. “I only just discovered it myself. But it explains a great deal about Holt and his behavior… his dishonorable treatment of my sister, and his propensity for violence. That is why I have returned, Caitlin—to make sure he can’t harm anyone else.”
She considered his statement in silence. He sensed that his revelation hadn’t been a complete shock to her, any more than Cecily’s had been to him.
“Well?” he demanded. “Do you still consider Holt your friend? Would you defend him now?”
“Even if what you claim is true… and I’m not saying it is… what do you think you can do about it?”
Niall had played out several scenarios in his mind during the ride from Denver, and every one of them had ended with Holt in a whimpering, bloody puddle at his feet. Beyond that…
“Do you truly believe,” Caitlin said, “that you can simply walk up to him and… what? Make him turn himself in to the authorities?”
“I do not fear him.”
“Then you are a fool. A wise man would be afraid. But you have no right to do anything to him. He has not hurt anyone in all the time I’ve known him. You cannot ruin his life, and Athena’s, simply because you hate what you cannot understand.”
“If I hated everything I did not understand,” he said, “I would hate you.”
She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “You might as well hate me if you intend harm to my friends.”
He smiled bitterly. “I’m only interested in finding Morgan Holt. The rest of you… You are leaving, are you not?”
“Within the hour. Harry decided that it would be the right thing to do. It was obvious that you would want us gone. You need not worry that we’ll cause you any more trouble, Mr. Munroe.”
“It’s too late to worry about that, Miss Hughes.”
“You have had your way. Isn’t that enough?”
He jumped to his feet. “No. It’s far from enough.” He crossed to the bed in two strides, gripped Caitlin’s shoulders, and kissed her.
She did not even bother to resist. The temporary stiffness came from shock, but an instant later she was pliable and willing in his arms. Her mouth opened to his with all the enthusiastic skill of an experienced whore.
Oh, yes, she wanted him, just as he wanted her. No sentimentality or inconvenient expectations, not even the benefit of love or even real liking—simply raw, unbridled lust. And Caitlin was not ashamed. No, not in the least.
He ended the kiss and pushed her away. She leaned back, neither offended nor outraged by his liberties. Her freckles were very prominent.
“What was that for?” she said, catching her breath.
“You know.” He turned his back on her so that he wouldn’t see her lips and the frank desire in her eyes. “You’ve known since the day we met.”
“That you want me? That I want you?” She laughed softly. “What a relief it is to say it aloud and stop pretending. I was never very good at pretending.”
“No.” He folded his arms across his chest and stared at the wall. “Ordinarily I am very good at it. One must be, in my type of work. But I seem to have lost my abilities where you are concerned.”
“And that troubles you?”
“Why should it trouble me, that I am infatuated with a girl of no parentage, dubious morals, and interests that directly conflict with my own?”
“And what sweet, loverlike words they are,” Caitlin said as if to herself. “No woman could wish for a more devoted suitor.”
Niall turned on her. “How many have you had, Caitlin? Scores, I should think. Hundreds. Am I just another conquest, or am I a particular prize?”
“What arrogance. You think the worst of me for having taken other lovers, but I’m sure you feel no qualms about the women you’ve had. Oh, no. All your remorse is for wanting me.”