Page 13 of Bounty Hunter's Obsession

“I spoke to Tony today. In your house.”

I nearly choke on my fry as I do a double take. “Why? When? How was he? That doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s not about to get clearer. He says you have something that belongs to him. He left it in your car.”

“No, there’s nothing in my car. You saw it. The first time I’ve been in my car since the police impounded it was yesterday.”

He sucks in a breath, running his fingers through his dark brown hair and looking over my shoulder, eyes continually shifting to the customers around us.

“Are you sure there wasn’t anything you may have moved and just didn’t realize it was there? Because Tony’s holding you responsible and said something about the dark room if he doesn’t get what belongs to him.”

“Shit. So you two had a discussion about me in my house?”

He nods slowly. “I went by there to check on it from last night. I didn’t want you with me in case all hell broke loose. I ran into him and he told me about a bag he left in the car that’s no longer there. He says you have to have it.”

“Or the sleazebag running the lot took it out of my car. I left him my keys because when I wasn’t ready to pay after his sleazy offer, I left. I never got in my car until after you delivered it to me last night.”

Hayden takes a moment to process that and tells me, “That makes sense, especially after the way he reacted when I told him about the weed in the car. He’s definitely been in and out of every car on that lot. Who knows where that bag is? I’ll pay him another visit. About the bench warrant, we can get you into the DA’s office so you can give your statements to the court and get it withdrawn. What’s the dark room thing about?”

It sends a shiver down my spine just thinking about it. “You don’t want to owe Tony money. If you do and you miss the payments, he puts you to work in his dark room. It’s a section of the club where anything goes. You have to give the clients whatever they ask for.”

“Sounds illegal.”

“I have no doubt that it is, but that’s why I never borrowed money from Tony. I could have gone to him for a lawyer, or after the sleaze kept my car hostage, but I came here instead. After burying my sorrows in milkshakes and french fries, Maybelle gave me a job.”

He reaches across the table, wrapping his hand around mine. “Halo, you’re never going to have to do anything for him or anyone else. You have full control over your life, and I’ll never let guys like Tony or that douche from the lot take advantage of you.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

The words put a smile on his face, which sets off butterflies in my belly. To be the reason someone else is happy is a feeling I haven’t felt in a long time.

“So, what should we do now? Is Tony still at my house?” I ask him.

“No. After our conversation, I told him he wasn’t getting anything if he stepped foot on your property again. I also called the police and waited for them to show up, but he must have slipped out the back because he wasn’t inside when I showed them the broken lock. Speaking of which, I’m going to head back over there to make sure we get new locks on your place. My youngest brother, Hendrix, is a locksmith. He’ll make sure your place is sealed up tight.”

“You have to let me do something for you, Hayden.”

This time, his smile is more seductive. “You’ve done more than enough for me, but if you’re tired of this job, I can eat that delicious pussy of yours on this table. I want to make sure that when folks see you, they talk about me.”

“Just marking your territory,” I giggle and begin to stand when Hayden grabs me by the hand to pull me closer. I’m barely taller than him standing, but still, his hands grab my thighs, moving around my ass, up to my waist, and around my neck. The gesture moves me in for a kiss that sets my pussy ablaze with desire.

I almost want him to do what he offered. However, getting another charge for indecent exposure is not in my best interest with a warrant. The way Hayden’s lips move over mine, his deep moans of yearning, and the way he wants me are enough for my knees to buckle.

He pulls away, ending the kiss and leaving my lips tingling for more. “That’s not fair to start something and not finish.”

Hayden stands and pulls his wallet out of his back pocket. After peeling off too many bills to cover his coffee, he winks at me. “Baby girl, believe me when I say that I always finish what I start. I’ll be back here by the time you’re ready to close up. We can go over your car with a fine-tooth comb.”

“Are we going back to the ranch or staying at your house?” I ask him.

“We should probably stay at my place. I don’t want Tony following us out there. Besides, I have a better arsenal in my house than out at the ranch. Don’t worry, baby girl. I’m going to help you through all of this.” He hooks a finger under my chin, tipping my face up to him for another chaste kiss before he heads out of the diner.

I can’t believe this man wants me. Me.

“How did I get this lucky?” I murmur to myself as I put his money in the register and the change in the tip jar.

“Girl, you should be asking yourself why haven’t you gotten this lucky sooner?” Maybelle chimes in to my rhetorical question. She’s sweet in her own way.

“What do you mean?” I ask as she moves behind the counter, topping off coffees.

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