Page 12 of Bounty Hunter's Obsession

I’m not going to do that in Halo’s place. The disrespect to her and her grandmother is too high.

“She ain’t been here in a few days. How much she worth?” he asks.

“Are you a bounty hunter?” I ask him.

“No, I’m Tony of Tony’s Tata’s. Me and Miss Alvin got some business to discuss.”

“Oh really? Can you clue me in? Maybe it will help me in my search to find her. I drove by here last night-”

He cuts me off with a grin, “Was that you at the door last night? Coulda sworn I heard a little lady wit ya.”

I shrug. “Yeah it was me, but I only came by to see if she came back around here. ”

“Shame. I could have sworn my guy saw her in the car with ya. Followed ya a bit.”

“Yeah, maybe he shouldn’t do that anymore. It could be hazardous to his health. I just want to find the girl. That’s it,” I tell him, trying to keep the situation calm. Every fiber in my body wants to throw this guy against a wall and beat his face until it’s unrecognizable.

“Maybe try the impound lot out by the factory. Fella running the booth said she went by there with some big boy who beat him senseless and then made him apologize. You look like a big boy. Made anyone apologize on their hands and knees lately?” he asks.

We both know the answer to that, but this game we’re playing doesn’t lead to me helping him, and I’m damn sure it won’t lead to him helping me.

I let out a sigh of boredom. It’s time for me to get out of here. “I can’t recall, but I’m sure if he was made to apologize, it was necessary. What about you, Tony? How long you gonna hang around here? Halo won’t come back to this place if you’re waiting for her.”

“Oh see, that’s how I know you don’t know her. This is her grandmama’s house. It’s the only thing of value in that little girl’s life and I’m here waiting for her to come back and claim it. When she does, she can give me what she owes me.”

“What does she owe you?” Curiosity has me in this place longer than I need to be, and I have to keep my wits about me. I’m sure Tony’s called in for reinforcements or, at least, has someone watching the house. They can come up behind me at any moment. Being outnumbered isn’t the worst-case scenario, but it’s not something I want to deal with right now.

“Since I’m almost certain you’re the big boy she’s leading around on such a tight leash, I’ll tell you and maybe you can do something about it before I do. I left a bag in her car. I’m sure she’s opened it by now since she picked up her car. That means she has the contents of the bag. It’s extremely valuable and I need my stuff returned to me.”

“What if she has no idea about the bag?”

The shift in his demeanor tells me he's ready to fight for what belongs to him. The corner of his lip twitches as he rubs his beard. “That’s possible, but unlikely. Tell her she has 24 hours to return the contents.”

“Or else what?” I challenge him.

“Big boy, that’s not something you need to worry yourself about. Just tell Halo,ifyou see her, that she’d better give me my shit back or she can work the dark room when my place opens back up. Oh, and it’s not up for debate.”

8

HALO

Every which way I turn in the diner, there’s a customer in need of my attention—from coffee to an overcooked steak to putting in another order of fries. It’s been nonstop since Hayden dropped me off, and even through the hustle and bustle of the afternoon rush, he brings a smile to my face.

Memories of last night keep me in high spirits because I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next. Wait, there’s a next, right? There has to be. That can’t be it.

“Halo,” Maybelle screeches from behind the counter. “We got the pie ready for that table and table four’s got a new customer waiting.”

In the corner, toward the back, I scan the empty tables for table four because it was a mess a few seconds ago. Thankfully, it’s my new favorite person. Life moves crazy when things fall into place. Because of all the people to come into my life, Hayden’s the first to make me feel safe.

However, the closer I get to his table, the more I feel his energy. It’s off and I can’t tell why. I find myself looking over my shoulder, wondering if it’s because someone else is the object of his ire. No. His focus is on me.

“Hey, Hayden. What can I get for you?” I ask him, pulling out my notepad to take his order. I don’t want to give away how intimate we’ve been to anyone else here.

“A cup of coffee for now. When’s your break? I want to run something by you,” he says in a clipped tone.

After taking stock of the tables left, I make sure everyone’s taken care of before I return to his table with a pot of coffee and a basket of fries. I slip into the seat across from him.

“What’s happened?” I sigh. The desire in his eyes is less than the night before, and I wonder if this is going to be his way to end things.

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