«Smart man.»

She smiled sadly. «In some ways. He was far too gentle for this world, though.»

«A gentle cheater?» Reno asked ironically.

«Why do you think he cheated? It was the only way he had any chance at all against men like you.»

«A gambler who’s that bad at cards should find another profession.»

«That’s not what I meant,» Eve retorted. «Don was a small man. He didn’t have the strength to fight with his fists, the speed to fight with a gun, or the greed to be a good cardsharp. He was a kind man rather than a strong one.

«But he was good to Donna and to me, even through we were weaker than he was. That’s more than I can say of the big men I’ve met!»

One of Reno’s black eyebrows rose. «I suppose if you had been cheatingforrather than against me, I might feel more kindly toward you myself.»

Eve’s smile was as small and cold as the spring hidden against the cliff.

«You don’t understand, gunfighter.»

«Don’t bet on it, saloon girl.»

She tossed her head, sending her deep gold hair cascading over her shoulders.

«I thought you were different from Raleigh King, but you’re not,» she said. «You haven’t the least idea what it’s like to make your way in a world that is stronger, harder, and more cruel than you could ever be.»

«You won’t get into my good graces by comparing me to the likes of Raleigh King.»

«I’m not trying to get into your good graces.»

«You’d better start.»

Eve took one look at Reno and bit back the angry words that were crowding her tongue.

There was no gentleness now in Reno’s eyes or in the line of his mouth. He was dead angry. When he spoke again, his voice was as cold and remote as his ice green eyes.

«Be grateful Raleigh needed killing,» Reno said flatly. «If you had set me up to kill a country boy, I’d have let Slater have you. You wouldn’t have liked that. Slater isn’t one of those kind men you so favor.»