Page 6 of Property of Woods

“Come tomorrow, you’ll leave that asshole and California behind.Big Daddy has asked me to take you under my protection for your own safety.”

“I just can’t leave.I have a life.A job.Friends.”

“You also have a dead man walking for a husband and a bounty on your head.The man you spoke of.Hector.He’s the head of a dangerous Mexican cartel.They’ll kill you on sight if you’re lucky.”

“And if I’m not?”

“They’ll pimp you out.You’ll be too doped up to know your own name and you’ll beg for them to put that needle in your arm.Will do any-damn-thing to get it.Or if they are feeling generous, they’ll sell you to the Lamb Society.Trust me.Neither is something you want any knowledge of.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“You shouldn’t, but darlin’, I’m your best chance at walking away from this alive.I’m not shittin’ you.You’ve betrayed your man, and Big Daddy will find him and kill him.Question is, will they find him before he finds you?”

She shudders at my brutal honesty.

“Are you scared?”

She nods.

“Good.You should be.But first, you should sleep.We’re ridin’ out early.”

“You tell me all of this and expect me to sleep.”

“I can think of a few ways to tire you out.”

Her lips spread into a smile, and she shakes her head at me.“You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met.”

“That’s cause I’m one of a kind.You mind if I smoke?”

“Knock yourself out.”

I light up a cigarette and help myself to Big Daddy’s liquor cabinet.

“Pour one for me while you’re at it.”

“Should you be drinkin’ on that medication Doc gave you?”

“I didn’t take it.”

That explains why she’s not passed out.“Fair enough.”I hand her a glass.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Why did you say yes?”

“To giving you sanctuary?”

She nods and takes a sip, making a disgusted chortle as the amber liquid coats her throat.

I fight the urge to grin and take a hearty drink, then refill my glass.I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a long night.One filled with torture.Because the way she’s looking at me, she gives me butterflies.Something I’ve never felt before.

Jessika tilts her head to the side, studying me.“Aren’t you going to answer?”she presses.

“I said you could ask.Never said I’d answer.”

“There’s got to be something in it for you.”

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