Page 44 of Petty's Crime

“I can’t risk you, RoseLyn.”

“I can’t risk an unknown woman. I know what Saul’s capable of.”

“The Devils won’t go for it.” He states that as if there’s no point having this discussion. “You’re heading out of town on those days off, and when you come back, the situation will be resolved. You’ve got a part to play, and I need you to step into that role.”

“But—”

“What’s the point of paying for protection and then going against their advice?” he challenges me. “Do you think I want to put anyone in danger? Of course, I don’t. But Saul’s fucking dangerous, and he needs to be caught.”

As he said, the Satan’s Devils aren’t choir boys. “If they catch him, he won’t be going back to prison this time. They’ll kill him.”

Bart doesn’t flinch. “He’s a rabid dog that needs to be put down.”

Not for the first time, when I analyse my feelings, I realise I’m less concerned about that outcome than another woman getting hurt. Saul’s lost any sympathy I might ever have had for him. It’s either him or me, and I’d prefer to stay alive.

Can I trust the Devils to ensure that only Saul gets hurt? I don’t want it on my conscience that Saul gets to another woman instead. I stand, pace, and think on it for a while. Bart gives me the space to come to terms with the idea. I think what I know of the men and that they’ll be using one of their own. I have to trust that they know what they’re doing, and won’t take unnecessary risks. If, as he said, they’re in control of the situation, it’s more likely Saul will be going down.

If I accept that, I also agree it’s best for me to be out of town, so I’m not a distraction to whatever they’ve got planned. Which brings me to the part that I’m finding harder to digest.

My parents would be delighted to have a visit, and it’s past time to make the trip home. They’ve been at me for weeks about when they’re next going to see me. They won’t find it alarming or unusual for me to decide to go to Texas out of the blue.

I can also accept that just in case Saul doesn’t fall for whatever the Devils have planned, that one of them comes with me, but that’s where the plan starts to fail. To ensure my parents aren’t alerted or worried that something is wrong, said Devil will pretend to be a boyfriend that I’m wanting to bring home.

Such a visit would suggest there’s something serious between us, or at least the prospect, else I wouldn’t be taking him with me.

My parents were devastated when Saul first showed his true colours. They’d stood by my side during the trial, but I knew they were taking the blame on themselves for accepting such a man into their lives. They felt guilty that they hadn’t seen the true person underneath, as well as worried, I myself hadn’t seen what I was stepping into.

They don’t like that I live so far away from them, and would prefer me to be closer to home. If they knew the current situation, they would be beside themselves with worry for me. With Dad’s weak heart, I’m not going to do anything to concern them.

While taking a man home on false pretexts would be something akin to a lie, in balance to protect them from the truth, it’s something I’m not too concerned to have on my conscience. An excuse offered later as to why it didn’t work out would easily explain why he was no longer a fixture in my life.

That part I can get my head around. The bit that I can’t is that they are proposing that one of the Devils will be by my side. Men with muscles and tattoos and definitely not the kind you take home to meet Mom.

“No.” I shake my head adamantly. If I don’t pull this off and my parents suspect the real reason I have someone with me—as a bodyguard—they’ll panic for certain. I’ll probably end up with them wanting to come to Vegas and stay with me. Or, I’ll have to move back home to placate them.

As Bart raises an eyebrow, I raise my head to the sky, then look back down again.

“You’re going to take one of Red’s men home to meet your parents. He’ll pretend to be your boyfriend.” He breaks off to grin. “You can spend the time letting them share all the embarrassing details from your past.” Then he sobers quickly. “Or we can do it without all this rigmarole and tell them the truth about the situation.”

“I’ve already said no.” Standing, I walk to the window and look out unseeing as I wrap my arms around myself. I don’t seem to have much option. I want Saul caught more than anyone else and want to be able to live without constantly checking over my shoulder. I’ll have to fabricate a relationship with one of my biker protectors. “Who drew the short straw?” I ask without turning back.

Bart hesitates only an instant before saying, “Petty.”

I’m glad I’m not eating or drinking as something would have shot out of my mouth. As it is, I choke. Waggling my finger into my ear. I think something must be wrong with my hearing, then I turn and give my manager my attention. “I’m sorry, for a moment I thought you said Petty?”

Bart has the grace to look sheepish. “I did.”

My mouth opens and shuts for a couple of times before I can get words out. “Why the hell does Red think Petty and I would be able to convince anyone that we’re in a relationship? And he’s married for God’s sake.”

Bart raises an eyebrow. “Maybe that’s why he’s been chosen. So he won’t act inappropriately toward you.”

My parents wouldn’t be expecting any boyfriend I brought home to ravish me on the couch, but they’d expect little touches and kisses here and there. Which starts me wondering what Petty’s kisses would be like and that, in turn, makes me wonder if I’ve lost my goddamn mind.

The whole suggestion is preposterous. “And if I refuse?”

Bart wipes his hand over his head. “I love you, girl, you know that. But we can’t keep bleeding money to keep you safe. Either you accept this as a way to be on top of the situation and get Saul out of the way, or maybe it’s time to leave Vegas.”

I go rigid. “You what?”

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