Diablo Read Online Free Page B

have felt it, too, for she took a step backward, then another.
    Kane suddenly feared she would fall from the porch, and he reached out a hand. His gloved fingers brushed hers, and a new kind of heat ran up those fingers and through his arms, settling deep in a most sensitive place. The woman jerked back her hand, as if she too had been burned. She stared at his outstretched hand, turned and walked away. Kane took some pleasure in noting that her gait was none too steady, but then neither was his as he took a step in her direction. A harsh voice behind him brought him to a quick halt.
    â€œShe’s out of bounds.”
    Kane turned and stared at the man framed by the doorway. He was as tall as Kane, his build heavier. Time had carved canyons in his face, but his pale blue eyes were ageless—and as cold as any Kane had seen.
    â€œWhy?” Kane asked.
    â€œBecause I say so,” the man said. “You’re Diablo?”
    Kane nodded. The man held out his hand. “I’m Nat Thompson. I run Sanctuary, and the first rule is to keep your hands off that girl.” The tight grip was more than friendly. It was a warning. Thompson released his hand, then headed inside the office, obviously expecting Kane to follow. He did.
    Thompson went to a desk and took the chair behind it. “Sit down,” he said. “Welcome to Sanctuary.”
    â€œHow safe is it?”
    â€œAs safe as you can get,” Thompson said with obvious satisfaction. “There’s several ways out, if a trail to Sanctuary is ever found. Even then, we’re protected by several Indian tribes, and our lookouts can see miles away. You’re safe enough here. If you follow the rules.”
    Kane felt the muscles in his stomach tighten. This wasn’t going to be easy. “What rules?”
    â€œNo guns in Sanctuary except my own and my deputies’. No fighting unless it’s for entertainment—in a ring and with rules. No questions of other guests unless they wish to volunteer information. You can’t ride outside the ring of mountains without one of my guides.”
    â€œA lot of rules for a hundred dollars a day.”
    Thompson shrugged. “You can leave. A guide will lead you out same way you came. You can take your chances outside.”
    â€œWhat do you have except for rules?”
    Thompson’s lips cracked into a small smile for the first time. “Everything you want. Women. A saloon. Gambling. Good food. Feather beds. Hell of a lot better than a jail cot. Or a grave.”
    Kane nodded. “I don’t have much choice. Every lawman west of the Mississippi is after me.”
    â€œSo I hear.” Thompson eyed him with interest. “No one ever escaped from that prison before.”
    Kane shrugged. “Wasn’t that hard. They’re not very smart.” He paused. “Tell me more about the women.”
    â€œMexican, mostly,” he said. “Have some real little fireballs here.”
    â€œThe girl …”
    The smile disappeared. “I said no one touches her. My rules include certain punishment for breaking them. Lashing’s one of them. Indians are another. They rather enjoy seeing how brave a man is.”
    â€œI get your point.” An odd disappointment swept over Kane. So she was private property—of a man twice her age.
    â€œNo, you don’t,” Thompson said, his eyes narrowing. “That girl is my niece. She and her brother, Robin, are my only family.”
    Relief flooded Kane, quickly followed by something ominous. Thompson’s niece. A part of Sanctuary, which Kane was sworn to destroy. If he didn’t, his best friend would die.
    â€œI don’t think she liked me much.”
    Thompson shrugged. “The clerk at the hotel is expecting you. You might want a bath and shave. There’s a barber and washhouse three doors down.”
    Kane was hesitant to leave. He wanted to know more. “It’s a regular little