“No...” She backed up from me. Her door still wide open. I heard neighbors milling in the hallway. “He put 10 G on me?”
I nodded. “Give me your hands.”
Tears streamed down her face and she kind of crumpled, defeated. I brought her hands together in front and restrained her.
“I’ll take Micah.” A small Asian woman hurried into the room and snatched up the toddler.
“Thanks.” Lisa sniffed. “Take good care of him for me.”
The woman nodded before she rushed out like she was afraid I’d restrain her next.
It took me two hours to transport and process Lisa downtown. The woman cried the entire time making me feel about two inches tall which pissed me off. Her problems were not my responsibility.
By afternoon, I was ready to move on the first of my two big targets for the day. Jasper was a mule who spent his afternoons on a corner not far from where the Angels held their party. The kid was young, hot-headed and fast on his feet. I’d brought him in one other time and the punk had given me a black eye.
Parking a few feet away, I shed the BEA jacket for a hoodie that I pulled up to cover my blonde head. Shuffling down the street past junkies and the homeless, I tried to look as pathetic as they did. Jasper glanced my way but dismissed me until I was within a few feet. “Man, can I buy a hit?”
His face screwed up into a snarl. “You want to score that’s two blocks over, stupid damn junkie.” He went to push me.
I grabbed his wrist and flipped him down to the sidewalk, pressing him face-first into the concrete. “Jasper, you missed court again.” I secured his wrists with my disposable restraints.
“Fucking bitch.” He tried to buck free, but he was down.
I jerked him up. “You can walk or I can shock the shit out of you.”
“Don’t tase me, I hate that shit.” He moved forward bitching the entire way.
The desk sergeant shook his head when he saw me coming again. “You almost live here these days.”
I gave him a fake smile. “A girl has to eat.” I jerked Jasper forward.
“Really eating well then.” He came around the desk and took possession of my guy. “I’ll put him in holding. It’ll be a bit on the paperwork, someone just brought in Harry Long.”
My carefully constructed plan for the day crumbled in ashes at my feet. The hundred thousand had now been reduced by half. Harry had been my next target. We had an exclusive on Harry so I’d been beat out by one of our people. As much as I wanted to shout for no else to capture bounties, I knew I couldn’t do that because most of their income came from the people they brought in. While I waited my phone buzzed, a text from Doris. Business dinner tonight at 7 p.m. at Domino’s. Not optional.
Dammit my bad luck continued. I typed a sparse K and stuck my phone back in my pocket. My phone buzzed again, I almost didn’t look at it, but it could be real business.
In town. Want to see you tonight. Rebel had been the only bright light in my life. Work sucked, my father was my only family, so family life sucked, and Jess kept pushing me to get married. He was the only one that didn’t have a comment on my crazy race to meet the stupid goal. Well, at least not since he’d told me the first day he thought it was impossible. Why did I even bother?
Because there wasn’t a single quitter bone in my stubborn body.
Got a business dinner. Don’t know when I’ll be done. I thought about typing more but regrets seemed too personal. This was just physical, so I guarded my emotions carefully—not that it’d do any damn good—but I tried.
Come by after. I’m staying at Best Western downtown.
I typed out a quick note to agree when the desk sergeant called my name. Distracted, I almost ran smack into Dale Jenkins, one of the newer agents at the company. Stopping short, I pasted a smile on my face. “Great job, catching Long.”
He glanced away, uncomfortable. With a mumbled thanks he hurried away. My father had made the whole office scared to talk to me. No, that wasn’t right. Together we’d scared the shit out of the office. Our instability at work had to make others worry about job security. Most people avoided both of us.
* * *
I let the valet park my truck and walked through the door of my father’s favorite Italian restaurant. We’d eaten here so much growing up, it was almost like a second home. Georgio, the floor manager, kissed my cheek before taking me to the table. When I was a little girl, he’d been Daddy’s favorite waiter, now he managed the place. Too bad Daddy didn’t see the value in promoting talent. Discounting I was family, I was the best damn bail and bond agent in the company.
We turned the corner and shock stopped me cold. Chaz Carter, owner of bail bonds businesses all over Texas, sat next to Daddy. No one else was here. What the hell was Daddy planning and why was I here? I wanted to turn and walk out but I needed the intel.
Georgio held out the chair for me like he had when I was a child, and I sat down.
“Sugar dumpling, glad you could make it.” He patted my hand like we weren’t at war.
“Daddy.” I managed a neutral tone.
“You know Chaz?” He patted the guy on the back.
“How are you doing? A little far north for you.” Most of his businesses were located in the southern half of the state.
“Your daddy is a persuasive man.” He took my outstretched hand but didn’t shake it. He kissed the back of my hand.
I jerked my hand away. “What the—”
“Elle.” Daddy cut off the curse word on the tip of my tongue. “We need to discuss the merger.”
Merger. A cold sweat broke out and my ulcers doubled in size and my stomach shot pain through my middle. I didn’t move a muscle, trying hard not to blow my top until I knew his devious plan. I could do this.
“Not that I mind the bargain. Between us we know more about bounty hunting than any two people in the U.S. of A. That’s more than most have to base a marriage on.” Chaz’s gaze skimmed my face before landing on my breasts.
Daddy’s face paled.
“So you marry me and get the business?” I asked.
“No, you manage this one and together we add more and more to the kingdom, so to speak. Jack told me how you wanted to expand Jackson’s to more locations. You’re dead right, that’s the way to make real money in this business.” He gave the whole speech to my breasts.
The cold sweat had evaporated with the fury coursing through my veins. I’d heard all I cared to hear.
“Did ‘Jack’ tell you I’d agreed?” I used my sweetest voice.
Chaz glanced over to the traitor who called himself my father. “Of course. This was the first step to our merger.” He made the word a double entendre.
“Now, Chaz, you may want one more look at my breasts because it’ll be your last.” I spoke in the same sweet voice.
Confusion wrinkled his brow. He glanced from Daddy to me.
I stood up, throwing the napkin down to the table. I narrowed my eyes on my father. “Despicable. As if I’d marry this worm. You are delusional.”
Anger turned Daddy’s face beet red. “No way you’ll make the deadline. Ella Jane Jackson, I will sell this company to Chaz and there is nothing you can do about that.”
“You’re right, I cannot stop you from selling Jackson Bonds.” Spitting those words out sliced me deep and I felt the bleeding in my soul. “But you cannot sell me too, you arrogant bastard.”
I spun away and marched out of Domino’s. Unwilling to wait for the valet, I tipped him twenty bucks to just give me my keys and ran for my truck. I had to be away from Daddy, from Domino’s, from everyone before the tears fell.
I found my truck and squealed the tires speeding out of the lot. I drove like demons pursued me until I had to park because of the tears obscuring my vision. I pulled into a lot and pushed th
e truck into park.
A low keen escaped me as I sobbed. This truly was the end, technically I had three days but there was no way I’d raise 100K unless something crazy happened. I refused to marry—if I had to earn the company that way, then what was the point in having it?
Eventually the tears stopped and a hollow ache was all that remained. I’d never felt hurt so deep, in fact, I had no idea hurt like this existed. Somewhere deep in me, a place I’d taken for granted, I was now broken, and I didn’t think anything could heal the rip. Maybe I could forgive my father for being stubborn, but ripping me apart like this, I would never forgive this. He’d betrayed my love on every level, if this is what trust and love got you, I wanted no part of it. Ever.
I started the truck and backed out of the empty parking lot. I drove, no destination, no plan. My plans were done. I was finished. My future a huge black hole for the first time in my life. After another loop downtown, I headed up on the interstate, maybe I’d just drive until I was too tired and stay there. Get up and drive again until I was as far away from Texas as I could get.
But I didn’t. I found myself back downtown, pulling into the Best Western. Comfort lived here, at least for tonight. I spotted his bike first, and without looking at my text, I knew his room was the one right in front of that bike. I got out of the truck and trudged to his door, each step so hard to make. All I wanted to do was lie down and never get up again. Soon, I told myself. Just a few more steps, then I’d find oblivion.
Knocking on the burnt-orange metal door made my knuckles ache. I looked at the red spots on them with a distant curiosity. Elle had left the building, so to speak. I was watching everything from afar because I couldn’t face the fact that this shitty reality was mine.
Rebel threw open the door, a scowl on his face. “Who the fuck—”
He stared down at me then stepped aside without a word. I took the final steps of my journey, forcing each foot to move until I made it to his bed and sat down. I managed not to curl into a ball, but just barely.
“Whiskey or sex?”
A dry laugh escaped. “Yes.”
He dug in his duffel bag and brought out a bottle of Johnnie Walker. Taking off the cap, he handed it over to me. I drank deep from the bottle, welcoming the burn of the liquor on my throat.
I took a breath then downed another long swig before thrusting the bottle out to him. He tipped the bottle up. While he drank, I shed my flats and tore off the dress I’d worn to Domino’s. I’d burn it later because I’d never wear it again.
I dropped my bra to the ground and slid back on the crisp white sheets before I lifted my hips and shimmied out of my underwear.
I still felt like a voyeur watching this scene. This wasn’t me, not my life. I couldn’t be the pathetic girl with puffy eyes and no future. Maybe this was just a dream.
He tossed the empty bottle to the floor without a word before he stripped off his own clothes. I closed my eyes unable to deal with reality at the moment. My head swam and stomach churned. The whiskey was working on me.
Rebel smacked my thigh. When I didn’t open my eyes, he flipped me over as if I weighed nothing. I needed this. All of this. I hurried onto all fours and without a single stroke of foreplay, he plunged deep inside me.
I loved it. Moving to meet him our bodies smacked together and the numbness turned into a pressure building harsh and out of control.
“Give it to me,” he growled.
His sexy voice penetrated my haze, my body came alive under his touch. My mind shut down and my body crashed down with the orgasm, emptying out all the anger and hate I’d bottled inside. Rebel didn’t even slow while the sensations tore through me, he pushed me on and I went with him. My head swam and body sang as release after release crashed through me, making me new again.
My body quivered and exhaustion rolled through me, I couldn’t keep going. There was nothing left inside me. He’d purged the poison.
As if he’d read my mind, he pulled out. Emptiness crept back and the rip inside me pulsed with each beat of my heart, but now I could breathe through the hurt it caused.
“Turn over, baby.” His soft voice almost broke me, but I refused to cry again.
I turned over, meeting his eyes for the first time since I’d come inside. The intensity of his gaze locked me to him in a way I can’t explain. He was all I could see, all I could think about. He was my universe and I was a tiny speck drawn to him.
He covered my body, his stiff erection pressing into my stomach, he lowered his head to kiss me. The kiss, too sweet for words, started soft and tentative. I pressed into him, needing the heat of him, not his gentle side. But he refused to give me the hot bad boy that had just rocked my world. With a slow seduction, he claimed me, drawing me into him and holding me tight. Body and mind consumed by his ministrations, I let my control fall away.
For a reason I couldn’t name, I trusted him in a way I did very few. Instinct said he wouldn’t let me fall, not tonight anyway. He caressed me and his lips made love to my mouth. More intoxicating than the whiskey, he drew me into his spell.
Magic surrounded me as the weight of the day lifted, replaced by his brand of bliss. I willingly gave it away and fell deeper into the depths of ecstasy. He moved back and his cock skimmed over my sex, back and forth, building the need in me again. Then he glided inside me, swiveling his hips to move deeper inside me.
Moaning, I gave over, letting him set the rhythm. His mouth reconnected with mine. Yes. He owned me in that moment. Snaking my arms around his neck I pulled him down until his body rubbed mine with each movement.
All that was left was my primal responses; I had no defenses and honestly wanted none. Rebel cherished me and I ate up every bit of it, hoping I gave him at least some of what he gave me. His circling movements became frantic. I moaned into his lips and clung tight.
He broke our kiss. “I need you to come for me.”
I shook my head. “Never stop,” I mumbled unable to make sense.
My head tossed back and forth as the sensations ricocheted through me, leading me to a place I’d never been. I gripped his shoulders, digging my nails in so he stayed close then before I could think to stop it my body exploded, sending shock waves of ecstasy bouncing through me, lighting me up.
I screamed his name and pushed up into him. Driving into me, he came deep inside me. I held on to my universe as pleasure consumed me, dragging me into the oblivion I’d sought.
Chapter Fourteen
Rebel
When Elle gave me her last orgasm, she’d shown me her soul, not just the glimpses I’d gotten before, but all of her inner beauty. Had she fallen asleep, passed out, as we came together? Whatever you called it, my sweet girl was out, exhausted from whatever trauma had sent her to me looking like her world collapsed.
I pulled out and cursed, no condom. Dammit, another rule broken. Tonight she’d stripped away every bit of armor I used to protect myself, leaving me exposed. When she’d bared herself to me, I had no choice but to do the same, and it had changed me.
Not wanting to think, I left her sleeping and headed for a shower, needing to clear my head and find perspective. You mean distance, coward.
Hell yes I did. Opening up only led to the worst kind of heartache. Sure she was special, but no one was special enough to make me risk my heart. I’d learned my lesson the first time, I mean, if my family couldn’t love me, no one could.
I pushed down all the feelings our lovemaking, because fuck me if that wasn’t what we’d done, opened up, but they wouldn’t stay down. I stepped out of the shower and stared into the fogged-over mirror. The ghost reflection reminded me I wasn’t capable of a real relationship, too much damage and too many scars. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I stepped out of the bathroom to find Elle awake, staring at the stained white ceiling. This crummy motel room, like a thousand
others, was no place for someone as special as her.
“How are you?” I asked, though if she started crying I was seriously fucking someone up. I didn’t do tears.
She sat up and her soft blue eyes settled on me. “Much better, thanks to you. I’ve never been fucked unconscious before, so another first.” She gave me a small smile.
“Baby, I aim to please.” Comfortable with the familiar ground, I relaxed, dropping the towel before I climbed into bed next to her.
“You want to tell me?” I wished I could take back the words as soon as I said them.
“No, yes. I don’t know.” She sat up, fidgeting.
“Spill it, Blondie.” I knew if something ate at me I’d want to spit that shit out, not that I did, but I’d wanted to.
“The business meeting...” she turned toward me in bed, “...was with Chaz Carter. Dad offered him me and the company in some kind of merger.”
“Damn that had to sting.”
She snorted a laugh. “A bit. I told them both off and marched out of there.”
“Good job, he deserved a beat down for that level of stupid.” I hated to see her family hurt her because I understood too well what it was like.
“The part that sucks worse is I admitted to myself, I’m not going to make it.” She blew out a breath. “Leaves me marriage or I’ll be out in the cold.”
“What are you going to do?” I wanted to beat her father black and blue.
“I have no damn idea.” She pulled a sheet up before she sat back against the bed. Her tits were still on display, distracting me. But she didn’t need sex, she needed to talk.
“What do you have against marriage, besides the obvious shittiness of your dad making you get married?”
Elle glanced away and didn’t look back for a long time. I was sure she wasn’t going to answer. Besides, it wasn’t any of my business why she didn’t do the simplest thing to get the company.
“Part is pride.”
Damn that was honest.
“Part is fairy tales. Under all my protests, I always thought if I married, which I didn’t really plan to ever do, it’d be because I was so in love I had to get married.” She laughed. “That doesn’t even make sense to me.”
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