Loyalty Divided

Chapter Six

Evangeline awoke to the soft morning light filtering through the thin curtains. Beside her, Colten stirred, his arm draped casually over her waist. She smiled, savoring the warmth and intimacy of the moment. it had been a long time since she had felt this way- carefree and desired.

Colten opened his eyes and grinned lazily at her. "Morning beautiful," he said, his voice husky from sleep. He placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Morning," she replied, her smile widening. She propped herself up on one elbow, studying his face. She took in his features. His tan skin, the scar over his big brown eyes. "Last night was," she tried off, her face flushing. "It was something."

"Yeah, it was," he agreed, his fingers tracing idle patterns on her skin. "You sure we can't do it all again today?" he said with a slight smirk.

Evangeline let out a breath of laughter, kissed Colten, and got out of bed. "I wish. I have some business to take care of," she said as she dressed. "My friends need me." She paused in her dressing. Colten seemed like the outlaw type. Maybe he would make a good fit into the gang. "Do you want to meet them?"

He thought for a moment. "Sure. Why not? Not like I got anything better to do." He got up and started dressing.

Evangeline threw on the last of her clothes, her gun belt, and her hat. "They're a little rough around the edges but they're good people."

They headed downstairs together and down the street to a small cafe where the rest of the gang was already seated. Arthur sat next to John with a book open in front of them, seemingly helping him read it. Evangeline could hear John stumbling over his words. He eventually gave up and decided to flip to a page with pictures instead. Hosea met her eye. "Nice of you to join us, Miss Thornton." He looked at Colten sensing that he was not a threat. "Who's this?"

Colten tipped his hat. "Colten Bell, sir. It's nice to meet all of you."

Dutch nodded. "You as well. Dutch van der Linde." He motioned to the members of the group. "This is Hosea, John, Miss Susan Grimshaw, and Arthur." Arthur nodded at them, his hat tilted down covering his eyes. Evangeline took note.

Dutch pulled out two chairs for them. Evangeline sat next to Arthur, and Colten sat on her other side. Dutch leaned back in his chair, studying Colten. "So, Colten, what brings you to this little corner of the world?"

Colten smiled, but it was a guarded expression. "Just passing through, looking for opportunities. Figured I'd try my luck and see what came my way."

Hosea raised an eyebrow. "Opportunities, huh? And what kind of opportunities might those be?"

Colten shrugged, keeping his tone light. "Anything that pays well and doesn't get me killed. I'm not picky."

Dutch and Hosea exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Dutch nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied for the moment. "Well, everyone has to make a living. But we like to know who we're dealing with. You understand."

Colten nodded. "'Course. I'm an open book."

Hosea chuckled softly. "Somehow, I doubt that."

Dutch leaned forward, handing Arthur a map with several annotations. "Arthur, I need you and Evangeline to get a good lay of the land. Mark anything useful. We need to know the terrain inside and out."

Arthur glanced at the map, then at Colten. "What's this for, Dutch?" He held a half-smoked cigarette between his lips.

Dutch gave a slight smile. "Just some forward planning, Arthur. You know how it is."

Arthur nodded, understanding the need for discretion. He and Evangeline stood up to leave. Before they left, Evangeline turned to Colten and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'll be back soon."