Both of them would be dead by now.
“I just don’t want you to fear me. That doesn’t bode well for a relationship.”
Poe sat there.
At that word, now, he was curious.
“Is that what we have?” he asked. “Because a few hours ago, you were willing to walk away and leave me behind, so I was safe.”
Well, a lot had changed in a few hours. Starting with sex, and ending with a band of mercenaries who wanted to hurt Poe.
Not.
Him.
“I asked you to run with me, didn’t I?” Gamble asked. “That should tell you everything you need to know about what I want.”
Poe said nothing.
That worried Gamble to the point he had to ask.
“Have you changed your mind?” Gamble inquired, knowing he’d not leave Poe now.
His life was in danger.
“What’s going to happen after all of this?” Poe asked. “That’s what I’m thinking about.”
Gamble wasn’t sure.
“What do you want to happen? Let’s face it, Doctor, I don’t fit in your world. You are a good man who helps people, and you promised to keep doing that. I help people, but I use any means necessary. I mean, you can hire me to take care of the horses. I might fit in as stable help.”
That hurt Poe’s heart.
Was that all he thought he was worth to him?
Hired help?
That was anything but close.
“Or you could stay with me,” he suggested, “and we can figure it out as we work through it.”
Gamble’s heart skipped.
“Is that what you want?” he asked, feeling some hope. Since this wasn’t about his past, it shouldn’t be hard to clean up. Once he got Poe clear of this, they might be able to have a normal life.
Whatever that meant.
Would he walk away from The Hunters for this man if need be?
Yes.
In a heartbeat.
If he was being completely honest, Gamble wanted to have mornings with him, and ride with him. He wanted to take care of the horses, and be normal. Elizabeth told him when he’d been fixed that she’d give him a new identity, and let him walk away.
He’d walk straight for Poe.
Every.
