Page 5 of Fugitive Flirtation
“Let me help you with that?”
“What the hell?” I bark. “What are you still doing here?”
“Well, delivery boy is a side gig really. My main job is bounty hunter.” His tone is calm but firm. “My name is Ace and I’m here to take you back to Miami for your next court hearing.”
I stare at the man, my heart racing as his words sink in. A bounty hunter? Fuck, fuck, fuck, I must not panic.
Despite my best efforts to keep it steady, my voice trembles when I try to plead my case. “No, no. Listen, I don’t know what you think you know, but I’m innocent.”
A shadow of a smile appears on his gorgeous lips. Of course, that’s what everyone must say when he comes for them.
He confirms I’m right on the money. “Save it, sweetheart. I’ve heard it all before. The jails are full of innocent people, or so they say.”
I open my mouth to protest, to explain, but he cuts me off with a wave of his hand. “You’ve got five minutes to pack your stuff. And no, I don’t want to hear your explanations or excuses. I’m just here to do my job.”
My mind races as I try to think of a way out of this situation. At this point, I’m only certain of one thing: I can’t let him take me in. If he does, now that I’ve moved the money, I’ll never be able to prove my innocence.
“Please, just give me a chance to explain.” I hate how much desperation has crept into my voice.
He sighs, looking at me with a mix of pity and annoyance. “Four minutes and thirty seconds.”
Okay, he’s made up his mind. Nothing I say is going to change that. I need to act as if I’m surrendering… for now.
I grab my backpack and start shoving my things inside while going over my options in my head. Those are limited. Go with him or run. The thing is, if I run, chances are he will get me again, and if he doesn’t, I’ll be a fugitive. I’ll have to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, always wondering when my past will catch up to me.
“Time’s up!” His voice derails my train of thought as I’m tying my sneakers. Thankfully, my toe’s decided to stop throbbing.
Diving into his piercing blue gaze, I snap back. “You’ve gotta let me go.”
He raises an eyebrow, his hand moving to rest on the gun at his hip. “That’s not really an option, my dear.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, swallowing hard. “But I don’t have a choice.”
For a second, he looks surprised.
That’s when I make a break for the door.
5
Ilunge for Alicia as she dashes toward the door. She reaches the handle before I can grab her, and now we’re really in the shit house. The door bursts open, and two men storm into the condo. Instinctively, I draw my gun, but they’re armed too.
“Move back, both of you,” one of the men growls, motioning with his weapon.
Alicia stumbles back. I grab her arm and pull her behind me, shielding her with my body. Something in the back of my brain is ringing an alarm. If they want her, I should be using her as a shield, not protecting her with my own body.
“She’s mine,” I say the words sounding oddly appropriate as they get out of my mouth. “Got to her first.”
They both frown as if they don’t understand English.
Nah, they just don’t get what I’m saying.
Okay, so they’re not competition. Not another bounty hunter I could negotiate with. Fuck!
“What do you want?”
The same guy talks again, waving his gun as he speaks. “We’re here for the girl. We’ve got no beef with you. Hand her over and we’ll just go.”
I glance at Alicia. Even when she’s terrified, she’s hot. Also, she doesn’t cave under pressure. Looks like having a meltdown didn’t even cross her mind.