Page 11 of Bounty Hunter's Obsession

7

HAYDEN

For as long as she lets me, I’ll take care of Halo until my last breath. For now, I’ll be satisfied with cooking her breakfast and taking her shopping for new clothes so she can get to work on time.

It doesn’t take long, and roughly an hour later, she’s inside the diner tying an apron around her waist to start her shift. There’s something to be said about her loyalty. I know that I can be the one to show her what it’s like to have someone like her in her own life.

First things first, I head into the office where Beatrice eyes me with confusion.

“What are you doing here, boss?” she asks, without stopping the work she’s doing at her desk. “The purpose of a vacation is to not come into work.”

“I need some information on the girl that came through yesterday.”

She raises an eyebrow at me. “What kind of information?”

“The district attorney handling her case needs to meet with her, but I want to make sure she’s not railroaded into some bullshit. Is there any way you can work your magic-”

“Sounds like you caught a bounty, Hayden. How about you bring her on in and let me handle it so you can actually take the vacation you’re supposed to be on?”

The idea of someone else helping Halo doesn’t sit right with me. She’s mine. I need to be the one to do this. Besides, she already trusts me, and I promised her I’d take care of her. That doesn’t include leaving her situation in the hands of anyone else. I don’t care how much I trust Beatrice or how good she is at her job.

“I’m going to take care of it. I just wanted you to put in some calls to their office and see if there’s anything Halo should be aware of before I bring her in.”

“Oh honey, you know they don’t like giving that information to anyone that’s not her lawyer.”

“Which is why I asked for your magic. I can have her in first thing in the morning if they need her statement. But, I also want to know more about this Tony guy. He tried to break her door down, and I’m almost certain he was rummaging through her house last night.”

“Did you see him? This Tony fella?”

Shaking my head side to side. “No, but from what’s she told me-”

Beatrice cuts me off. “Now, Hayden, you’re very good at what you do, but I seen the picture of that young bail jumper. Don’t let those pretty green eyes fool you. She looks innocent, but there could be other stuff she’s not telling you.”

“I know, which is why, again, I’m asking you to work your magic. I spoke to her and the situation reads more like a wrong place, wrong time scenario. I just want to make sure she stays out of trouble once she does what she needs to do in court.”

“Alright, I’ll make some calls. Hayden, don’t let some pretty face get you tossed in jail for obstruction. Who’s going to actually bring the criminals in? One of your brothers?” she asks with a giggle.

The Haven boys have their hands full respectively. Taking over my job isn’t good for any of them. As a matter of fact, I want to talk to Hudson about the family ranch. Everything from last night makes me think the place would do great as a small bed and breakfast. But, he’s particular about who he lets onto the property, especially since he’s the one fighting to keep it in our family.

Instead of letting my brother’s issues crowd my mind, I refocus on what I need to do for Halo. Outside of the items I bought on her way to work, I’m sure she’s going to want her own stuff. I make up my mind to run by her house to check it out so I can bring her by later. After grabbing my gun out of my safe in the office, I holster it and head out.

The house with the yellow crime scene tape across her door stands out from the rest of the homes on the street. I park my car a few yards away from the door and walk back toward the property in case the people from last night are still hanging around.

Sure enough, approaching the door shows that someone broke the tape and let themselves inside. It takes me all of thirty seconds to make sure I have my badge and gun holstered in place.

The quickening thumps of my pulse beating against my chest make me cautious to step inside. While silence is optimal, the loud creaking of the door gives me away. I’m barely inside when I hear someone chuckling.

“Come on in here, darling. Me and you gotta have a talk, Halo.”

There’s a guy sitting in a chair. He’s bald with a black goatee and a thick body. The too-small shirt he’s wearing only emphasizes his need to get in the gym. However, when I step inside the living room, letting him see who’s actually inside the home, he gets out of his seat.

He’s alone from what I can see.

“Who are you?” he snarls, his tone venomous and gravelly.

“Hayden Haven, bounty hunter. Looking for Halo Alvin,” I tell him, hoping not to give away how much she means to me already.

He strokes his goatee with filthy fingers, like he’s been working on a car engine. I can feel the combative energy rising off of him as he gets on his feet. He’s got about an inch of height on me and outweighs me by at least 15 pounds. If he wants a fight, we’re going to make a mess.

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