Beautiful Bounty (The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros. Book 1) (33 page)

“Oh, you’d do that for me,” she leaned against him, and he was forced to hold her, but he kept his hands on her forearms just in case.  “You still care,” she murmured and laid her head against his chest.

“Babe, I feel bad, I do,” he admitted. “I don’t know what the fuck to do.  But, I’ll help you as much as I can.  It’s the least I can do,” he nuzzled her hair inhaling the fresh scent.  Hmm, he thought, he hadn’t expected that.  It smelled like aloe. He pulled back and looked at her curiously.  “You slept in this dump all night?”

He was looking at her strangely.  “Yes,” she saw his eyes narrowing and he was looking at her hair. His nostrils were flared, inhaling.  She smelled the air, and noticed the scent of the hotel shampoo.  “But it was really late by the time I got away,” she added quickly.  The bounty hunter, Nikko, was pissed that the flight was booked, and then he made me go with him to get something to eat at midnight.  All the while, I was trying to think of a way to get away.”

Some of the truth, she thought making this up on the fly as she went.  He looked so wary of her, but she hoped he would buy the story.  She continued to weave her tale giving him no time to think and see the holes in it. 

“He then hand cuffed me to the bed when we got back, but I asked to use the bathroom and take a shower. I just couldn’t fathom being chained up like that all night. After bitching about it for an hour while he tried to sleep on the floor, he finally relented. He let me into the bathroom. I was trying to scramble for an idea. There was nothing in the bathroom that would work, so to delay I took a shower, and then when I got out an idea came to me.  I got dressed back in these clothes, but let the shower keep running.  I yelped and yelled out trying to make him think I slipped.  I was standing on the counter with the top of the toilet tank in my hand, and when he came bursting in, I smashed it on his head.” God, it was ludicrous, but she thought it could have happened.

“What the hell, did you . . .?” His look was one of shock, and he instinctively reached up to rub his head as if she smashed it on him.

Gary seemed to buying it so she continued to weave her tail.

“No, he was still breathing. There wasn’t even any blood, just a big old goose egg where I got him.  I checked to be sure he was breathing and then I split.  I didn’t even stop to grab my bag, just my cell and my wallet which he left on top of his suitcase. What a moron. Must be a lousy bounty hunter.”

She hoped Nikko wouldn’t be too upset with this part of the story.  But felt it was necessary to make her escape sound more plausible.

“He’d locked up the rest of my things in his car.  But with my cell, thank goodness, I was able to call you.  It’s one of those throwaways too, so I don’t think it can be traced.  But like I said, I didn’t want to call you until I knew the coast was clear. I did venture out this morning and I didn’t see his car, and then I came back here. Again, baby, I don’t want to bring you down with me.  I love you too much.  I can’t do that to the man I love.  I know I can’t ask you to flee with me and that breaks my heart.  Maybe someday. But I just can’t go to jail,” she was crying again.  She was getting loud too.

“Okay, babe.  Fuck, though, I can’t believe the dude didn’t call the police out on this though.”  Her story sounded crazy.  He was still unsure although her timeline fit with what he had seen.  She’d definitely taken a big risk looking about this morning, but if what she said was true, that she risked getting caught again to not put him in jeopardy, she must really love him. He thought she was getting bored with him this past semester, but maybe he’d been wrong. He did have a lot to offer to a girl like her. And although he hadn’t seen much of the bounty hunter, he doubted the guy would not call for back up after getting smashed over the head. “I’m sure he has to have woken up from his little nap now,” he added. “Why hasn’t he called in the police?” he wondered aloud.

She had an explanation ready. Andreas thought he might ask this and prepped her for it.

“He is a bounty hunter. His brothers own a bail bonds business in Tampa, I think. They posted my bond. If he goes to the cops, they lose the bond.”

“Shit,” he thought “I hadn’t thought of that.” He was scratching his head.

“Yeah, so I think I’ll be okay if I can just get to my bike before he thinks of that.”

Chills went up Gary’s spine. “Fuck, Ronnie! What if he is staking out my place again?”

“Oh shit!” She acted surprised, but it was exactly what Andreas wanted him to say.  She pushed back and with the sofa at her calves she took a seat. 

“Well,” she started.  “I didn’t think of that, but maybe I could just walk,” she murmured softly.

“It’s like sixty miles to the border.  Longer if you are taking the trails.  It’ll take you three or four days, maybe longer.” He pushed the hair out of his face.  He did feel bad, real bad about her dilemma. Taking her back to his cabin to get her bike was out of the question though now. He wasn’t going to be caught with her again. No one, absolutely no one, could see them together.

Ronnie pounced.  “It’s not your fault baby.  I’ve been on hikes almost that long before.  I know how to survive in the woods.  I’ll be okay.”

Damn it. The guilt was ripping him up.  He fucked up this girl’s life.  He even loved her once.  Thought he had.  After their first break up, he treated her less affectionately.  He liked his variety too, and had no plans to settle down with her. His parents would have never stood for it anyhow. She wasn’t blue blood enough for them.

“I guess that’s the only way,” he said softly, trying to think of something he could do to make this a bit easier on her, but nothing was coming to him. “Okay, well, I’ll run out and get you some supplies. But, I’ll have to use cash so nothing suspicious can be traced back to me,” he murmured callously and shifted on the desk. He felt the gun press up against his spine.

She felt confidant she had Gary on her side.  But, she needed to go for the kill now.  It was time to press for more. “Gary, I can’t believe you are doing this all for me.  I just wish . . .” she trailed off and sniffled into her shoulder.

Crap, Gary thought, she was going to start crying again. “Wish what?” he asked slowly reaching for the gun behind him. He needed to hide it out sight if he was going to have a little fun with Ronnie before he ran out to get her some things for her trek.  He definitely wanted one more piece of her. It was the least she could do for all his help.

“I just wish this all never happened, the drugs. My life is fucked and we can never be together. But,” she looked up at him and smiled.

“What?” he asked distractedly, still trying to figure out a way to dump the gun without her seeing. He’d almost pulled it out to place behind him, but stopped at her expression.

Go for the kill, Ronnie thought.  “Maybe in a year or so, I can call, we can be together somehow,” she put on her most hopeful face.  “You’ll never be happy working for your father anyway.”

As she suspected, his face turned sour. He was looking at her like she was nuts.  Maybe she had gone nuts, he thought.  And he had driven her to it.

“No baby, that ain’t gonna happen.  After today . . .” He got up from the desk and stood before her, legs spread out. How was he going to say this? Today had to be the end. He didn’t need her bugging him for years. Best to be blunt. “I care for you and all, but this was never going to be permanent.  I think you knew that. I can’t have you ruining my life.”

“But Gary,” she stood and faced him feigning shock and anger.  “Don’t you love me?”

“Sweetheart, we had fun, and yes, I thought I did at one time, but now with this shit, there’s no fucking way. My parents weren’t ever going to support this thing we had. Even if it was fun while it lasted.” He tried to reach for her to soften the blow.

Her face turned bitter in the blink of an eye, just like Andreas told her.  ‘Act like the woman betrayed which you are,’ Andreas had said.  ‘Attack.’ 

“You fucking bastard!” She hit his chest with her fists, and he grabbed her wrists forcefully preventing her from doing too much damage.  “I thought you loved me.  I gave you my heart. I know those drugs were yours, you bastard. I was willing to not tell anyone, I was willing to hide for you. I was even willing to let you believe I didn’t realize they were yours.” She kept trying to hit him, but her hands were clasped at the wrists and he held them firmly, painfully.  Ronnie let out the fury she’d been holding back for these last two weeks. But she also watched his reaction to her words.  First there was shock, then anger, and then his eyes narrowed into menacing slits.  He looked like a caged animal. It’s exactly the effect Andreas had wanted her to achieve so he would slip up.

“Whoa, whoa,” he kept repeating trying to control her thrashing.  “Cut this shit out, Ronnie, or I’ll leave right now, and walk out. Then you’ll be on your own.”

“Don’t you fucking dare walk out on me again, holding the bag, you fucking asshole.  I loved you. Gary, you know those drugs were yours.  And I know those drugs were yours. You did drugs before.  And, I have pictures. You smoking pot,” she lied.  “Passed out. I was going to go to trial, thinking there couldn’t possibly be enough evidence to put me away.  But just in case, I had those pictures stashed if it didn’t go my way. I was going to use them last minute only if I had to. But just maybe I need to get them to the press.  You have ruined me.  And god dammit, I won’t stand for it.”  She continued to twist and try to get her wrists free.

“You fucking cunt,” Gary hissed.  “This was your plan all along.  You have been playing me all along. Now you are trying to blame me. Bitch,” he released her pushing her away from him, and then his hand came out like a snake. He slapped her hard, and she fell to the sofa behind her. It stung, and shocked her, and she reached for her flaming face.

Gio had to hold Nikko down to stop him from jumping and going to her rescue. He nodded no, forcing Nikko to see him and stay put.  Gio knew Ronnie had to be close to getting him to slip. The guy was angry now and that’s when they made mistakes. Nikko knew this too, but he wasn’t thinking with his head right now, he was only thinking with his heart. Gio saw the fury in his little brother’s eyes, and couldn’t blame him. No man should ever hit a woman. It was one of his biggest taboos from when he had been on the force. He’d seen too many woman brutalized and it sickened him.  For Nikko, who loved Ronnie, this moment had to be so incredibly enraging.  In his mind, Gary was no man.  He was a coward; he used and hit women. Gio wanted to throttle him too.  But in just two minutes it could all be over.  Keeping his arms around his brother, he let him know with his eyes to just hang on a bit longer.

“You slut,” Gary continued standing over her.  He was unsnapping his jeans.  You do want me to go down with you, and well, that ain’t happening baby.  “I’m going to fuck you one last time, for old times’ sake, and then I’m . . .”

“Going to what?” Ronnie snapped, still holding her bruised cheek too dizzy to get up.

Gary just laughed as he pulled the gun out of his pants before he let them drop to the floor.

“You’ve got a gun,” Ronnie whispered, suddenly terrified.  Nikko almost leapt down upon them, but again Gio held him like iron.

“One more minute,” he mouthed to Nikko.

“Yes, so no more fucking smart talk from you.  But, I’m not going to use it on you Ronnie.  Not yet, anyway. Although I should because of your little attempt to blackmail me here. But, that’s not going to happen. So what, I’ve smoked pot. I’m not worried about any fucking pictures. But you on the other hand, with that mouth of yours. Well, that worries me. So, I’m going to tell you the truth now, have my way with you, and then I’m afraid it’s gotta be lights out, Ronnie.  I can’t have you fucking shit up for me. Such a shame,” he muttered, looking down at her cleavage.  “I always loved your tits.”

Nikko nodded at Gio who again held up one finger.  They were going to get the information they needed.  They watched as Gary put the gun on the filing cabinet out of Ronnie’s reach.

Gary grabbed Ronnie’s hands with one of his and held them like steel above her head.  He fondled her breasts roughly with the other.  She was still too weak to fight back, but she felt her strength returning in her fear. She winced in pain as he pinched her nipple hard, and he laughed.

“You were just a great piece of ass from the wrong side of the tracks to me after our break up,” he sneered while he kicked off his shoes.  He still stood before her, and then smacked her one more time across the face with the back of his hand. While she was stunned, he quickly slipped down his jeans and pulled out his cock.  “A piece of ass I liked to fuck, but you ruined it with that break up, and then when you came back, well, it wasn’t the same.  You acted all holier than thou, and you watched my every move like you were my god damned watchdog or my parents. I stuck with you to get through school. You thought you were so god damn smart, but . . .” He got closer, put his face right in front of hers and laughed.  “But I’ll tell you this bitch, cause I am going to kill you when I am through fucking you.  You were right. Those were my drugs. I have been dealing for a long time, and I got myself my own nice little stash.  I don’t need you bitch, and I don’t need my parents. I didn’t mean for you to get caught, but shit happens. And it couldn’t happen to a sweeter bitch than you.” Gary reached for her shirt. He was going to tear it off of her, but instead all hell broke loose.

That’s when Ronnie heard Nikko roar, and she felt a cool rush of air descend from the rafters. “Fucking bastard!” he screamed. “Get your god damned hands off my woman!”

Gary was stunned; he whipped around and reached for the gun he left on the old filing cabinet. He got his hands on it just as Nikko, who landed like a cat, jumped up and smashed his fist into Gary’s face sending him flying through the plate glass window of the office.  Nikko quickly recovered from the fall and gave chase bursting through what remained of the door frame to go after him.

Gio was there too, and Ronnie tried to get to her feet.  Gio helped her, pulling her up as she saw Nikko round the corner into the massive expanse of the warehouse after Gary who was lying in a pile of broken glass attempting to rise from the concrete floor while also pulling up his pants. But it was too late. He was cornered. The door to the outside flew open.