Page 24 of Tack’s Bounty

“Tack,” Ruthy called from the darkness.

“Kind of busy, Mom,” he replied.

“I know, and he deserves it, but the screams are reaching the house. I brought a couple washcloths to stuff in his mouth. You don’t need anyone else hearing,” Ruthy suggested, handing the items to Tack and disappearing into the darkness.

“Dude, I bet you didn’t get away with anything in high school. Your mom is scary but amazing,” Shield breathed.

Tack handed the cloths to Shield and motioned for him to stuff them in Rufus’ mouth.

Had Rufus’ mom really seen the figure hanging the squirrels, or was that the cover story Rufus and Jolene had come up with? Rufus had lied about where he had heard about it when he said “the scanner,” so maybe it had been him. Was he wanting to play the hero after trying to scare her? When they’d been hung, Sophia hadn’t been his. Rufus was continuing to cry. Tack didn’t have enough information to ask much more.

“Shield, watch him. Stinger, come with me,” Tack directed, walking thirty feet away to keep his conversation with Stinger private. “I’m not sure questioning him any more will be any help. We need more information.”

“I agree. Maybe we should wait until either Cuffs or the others get us more information,” Stinger conceded, turning to stare out at the land.

“What?” Tack questioned.

“I know I’ve never met Sophia, but for some reason, this area of native grasses and that strange-looking tree over there look familiar,” Stinger mused.

Tack didn’t recognize anything, but then, he wasn’t a history buff like Stinger was.

“Maybe it will eventually come to you. Let’s go scare him enough he doesn’t go to the police, and then I’d like to get back to my woman,” Tack directed.

Chapter Fourteen

Sophia leaned against Tack as they sat around the bonfire the guys had built outside. Lake and Freedom had brought out bags of marshmallows to roast, which had turned into an argument about how toasted they needed to be.

“I’m getting tired. I think I’ll head up for bed,” Lake said, staring toward Stinger.

“You thought any more about my proposal?” Stinger questioned.

Lake put her finger on her chin, staring at Stinger across the fire. “Well, I guess what I need to know is—are you going to be able to complete the deed, or will you get scared and fall to the floor, screaming you’re going to die?”

“One time. One time, I get scared when I’m storm chasing with Twist, and suddenly, the world knows that I thought I was going to die when the tornado was barreling toward us. Fuckin’ hate video sometimes. No, Lake, I will not fall to the floor screaming I’m going to die unless when I get all up in your business, I find out your pussy has teeth. Does your pussy have teeth?” Stinger shuddered. “If not, we’re good to go, and I’ll even fuck you against the wall like your fantasy,” Stinger promised.

Sophia sat there, stunned, Tack’s arm around her. Oh wow, that Stinger could dirty talk with the best of them.

“Babe, I think you need to be thinking about my dirty talk—not my brother’s, you get me?” Tack asked, with a look on his face that definitely melted her panties. Could a woman die of unfulfilled fantasies?

“Babe, seriously,” Tack pleaded.

Sophia bit her lip, grinning at Tack because she’d obviously said that out loud too, but these biker boys were so hot—like next level, a ten-alarm fire was raging when they were around.

“Umm, I take offense at biker boys but saying we’re hot kind of makes up for it. How about you call us motorcycle men?” Shield suggested helpfully.

“How about you all shut up and let me take my woman upstairs to hear some of my dirty talk,” Tack growled, glaring at the guys.

Sophia let him take her hand and lead her away from the fire.

“No, that’s okay. You all take the ladies to bed. I’ll be happy to check the animals again, by myself, and put out the fire. Yeah, you guys go have fun and I’ll do it all myself,” Shield bellyached.

“Thanks, Shield. We appreciate it,” Sophia called back, loving the feel of Tack holding her hand. He held the door open for her, then followed her in.

“Was today a good day?” he asked as they walked up the stairs.

She nodded, “Really good. We had the most animals fostered and adopted than at any previous event. I stood up to Rufus and Jolene at the event because I knew you had my back. Now, I’m hoping that you’ll do more than kiss me tonight,” she chirped.

Tack grinned at her with a look she didn’t know how to interpret until he swept her into his arms, carrying her down the hallway and pushing open the door to her room.