AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You can’t have any.”
He grunts in irritation and stalks out the door, though he’s not leaving.
I push my knuckles into my side, where an old injury aches. Sunlight spears into the room through the half-open door. Pots, pans, storage containers, and cooking utensils clutter every inch of space. There’s hardly enough room to move around, much less organize anything.
Years ago, I intended to save money to buy a bigger house, but after Nicole’s diagnosis, every penny went to her medical bills and whatever else she needed or wanted. While I’d do the same thing a thousand times over, if I’m going to retire from bounty hunting, I need to find another way to make a living. Trouble is, I don’t know how to do anything else.
“Armstrong.” Benny barges in again and tosses a tattered folder onto the butcher block. “Ineedto bring this girl in. I’ve had shitty luck with other bounty hunters. I’ll even give you a higher cut. Twenty-five percent.”
“Still not worth the hassle.”
“This won’t be a hassle.” He thumps his finger on the folder. “This girl is a fugitive, yeah, but hardly a criminal mastermind. She worked at a nightclub near the Tenderloin. Zodiac. The police raided the joint and arrested her on drug charges. She called me because she couldn’t get her hands on enough cash for bail. Then when she was released, she took off. She’s probably hiding out at her boyfriend’s house. I’m guessing she just got scared and thought she could make a run for it. All you have to do is bring her in. It’ll be like fishing in a goldfish bowl.”
“You’re a persistent asshole,” I mutter, shoving the folder back in his direction. “But my answer is still no.”
“Okay,thirty-five percent.” He holds up his hands and backs toward the door. “I swear, you’ll get the job done in less than a day. Take your time and think it over. I’ll give you a call tomorrow morning to get your final decision.”
Before I can flip him off, he turns and bolts. A few seconds later, his car engine rattles to life and speeds down the street.
I check the steak and turn back to the butcher board. A few papers spill from the folder, along with a photograph that’s still partly concealed. The picture shows the top half of a woman’s head—shiny, light brown hair and thick-lashed eyes.
My heart bumps against my chest.
Dropping the tongs, I pick up the folder. The skip’s name is written on the tab—Hannah Clark.I leaf through the papers inside—copies of bills, addresses, and her driver’s license.
I fish out the photo, which looks like a casual cell phone shot. A young woman stands outside near a pine tree.
The ground shifts under my feet. For the first time in years, I feel the blood pulsing in my veins and my breath moving, like something inside me is coming to life.
She’s looking at the camera, her smile bright as a star. Her straight hair falls to her shoulders, and bangs frame her heart-shaped face. Her eyes are brown and mossy green with flecks of gold. Her smile radiates carefree happiness, like she wants everyone looking at her to feel it too. She’s wearing a V-neck sweater that shows off an expanse of creamy skin and a temptingly deep hint of cleavage.
A heavy sensation churns low inside me. I drag in a breath, filling my tight lungs.
God in heaven.Who is this girl? And why the hell am I reacting to her photo like a lusty teenager and a lovesick fool all wrapped into one?
Pulling my gaze from her, I scan the stats on her driver’s license. Christ. She’s twenty-one years old.
Benny was right—she’s a scared little girl who made the wrong move. Probably got involved with some drugged-out fuckup who seduced her with his guitar and badly written songs about their love.
I grip the paper so hard it crumples in my fist.
If I don’t bring this girl in, Benny will hire someone else—and the idea of another bounty hunter getting near her floods me with rage.
No fucking way. She’s mine.
I stuff the papers back into the folder. I put her photo in my pocket.
Get ready, Hannah Clark.
I’m coming for you.
ChapterTwo
Hannah
The trailer crouchesin the wooded clearing like some sort of prehistoric creature. Weeds and brush grow over the flat tires. Rust and dents cover the metal exterior, and the windows are cracked and filthy.
Though it can get pitch-black out here in the woods so far from any city or town, the almost-full moon gives me enough light to see. Hitching my backpack over my shoulder, I step over a branch and approach the trailer.
