Page 24 of Bounty Hunter's Obsession

Is this what forever looks like for him? What happens when I’m not this version of me anymore? When I can take care of myself? Will he still want to take care of me?

I have to get out of my head. The only way to get answers to these questions is to ask him. Instead of obsessing over what could be, I shift my focus to setting up the barbecue.

I head into the basement and grab some of the burgers from the freezer. I know I can toss them straight on the grill, but I think I’m supposed to rub onions on the grate or something first. I shrug off all my ideas and just try to get something done.

I head into the backyard where I can see the sun’s setting, and the evening breeze feels amazing blowing through my hair. I toss my curls into a ponytail as I go through the groceries we brought home.

“We brought home”sounds magical. No matter where we are, whether my place or his, I feel like home is with Hayden. I never want to lose this feeling.

There’s food to grill and a fire that I need to light, so I rummage through the pantry, hoping to find some charcoal and haul the bag outside. I’ve done this a time or two for Nan.

The backyard isn’t large by any means. It can fit about 10 to 12 people tops, but we never had a reason to have company over. Being in such close quarters, any movement in the bushes around the fence line is movement I tend to ignore. There’s always critters and things moving about, but I never think about someone hiding in the bushes.

At least, not until I feel the presence of someone looking at me. I turn around, spinning to see if I catch the gazer off guard, but there’s no one out there. Shaking the paranoia away, I continue to get the grill ready.

“A few lumps of coal, lighter fluid, and–” The flames take off like a firecracker, and I close the lid to let it simmer down.

I think this is how I’m supposed to do it.

I’m so focused on making sure the fire doesn’t go out that I’m ignoring the sounds of someone moving around the side of the house. By the time I feel their grip on my shoulder, it’s too late.

A hand comes around my mouth before I can let out a scream, and I’m forced to go inside my house.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I look at the panel of the alarm system with dread as someone tall and menacing nudges me into the living room. They force me to sit down on the couch, and when I see Tony’s angry gaze, my blood runs cold. My eyes look up at the ceiling, wondering if Hayden’s awake.

Tony also looks up and snaps his fingers. A guy comes in behind him and Tony motions for him to go upstairs before putting his finger to his lips for me to keep quiet. He has a gun pointing at me, and I’m not going to do anything that makes him want to pull that trigger.

His voice is low and quiet, “Now, Halo. Where’s my bag?”

“I don’t have it,” I tell him, hoping he believes me.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Don’t lie to me, girl. That idiot at the impound lot was never supposed to let your car go until I came back for it or you came back for it. Now you done involved that tree trunk imbecile of a bounty hunter in my business.”

The goon he sent upstairs comes back down shrugging his shoulders, “Ain’t nobody up there, boss.”

“Take the boys and post up around the house. Her boyfriend’s ‘round here somewhere. Find him and deal with him,” Tony commands the guy who leaves us alone.

At least I know Hayden’s not in the bed still asleep. Where is he?

Tony clears his throat to get my attention. “Now, where were we? Oh right, you stealing things that don’t belong to you.”

“Technically, it’s not stealing if you gave it to me.”

“Girl, don’t make me hurt you. Where’s my shit?” he asks. This time, I can hear the impatience growing in his tone.

“I told you I don’t have it. Why do you think I have it? Why would I still be in Conklin if I did?”

He smiles and points a finger at me. “Ah, see that sentence right there lets me know you have it because you know what’s inside of it. How you know it’s something worth leaving Conklin for if you ain’t look inside that bag?”

I let out a huff of frustration. “Tony, no one wants to cross you. If I had anything that belonged to you, I’d leave Conklin. Shit, if I stole a paper clip I’d leave and mail it back. I don’t have your stuff. I swear it.”

“I’d like to believe you, but little missy, you gonna find my bag. I know you got it stashed, and if it makes you feel any better, I’m not going to take it personally. You’re right. I put it in your car. I only put it in your car because I pay a lot of people good money for information. Finding out that your charges were gonna be dropped and your car was being released was the perfect stash spot. Now, I need you to get me what I asked for. This is the last time I’m gonna ask.”

“Tony, I swear I ain’t got that bag. Why would I risk working the dark room til my knees are bloody just to keep some money?”

He raises an eyebrow with a smile. “Gotcha. How you know there’s money in the bag?”

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