Bounty's End (Bounty for Hire) Read Online Free Page B

the phone down on her ottoman, she turned her body to face Thomas.
    “Looks like the store was broken into again . From what dad says, it looks like they came in some time last night. I can’t help but feel, I don’t know, responsible.”
    “What? How?”
    “I left early yesterday, Thomas. What if I did something wrong. I mean…”
    “Wen, baby, don’t take that path. First, you need all the facts before you go jumping to any type of conclusions. Second, never blame yourself. If they wanted to get in, no matter the precautions you took, they would have found their way in.”
    “I suppose you’re right, but—”
    “You want to go there and your father wants you to stay home?”
    “Yeah, exactly. The thing is, Thomas, I can’t be home. I need to be there.” She felt his hand on hers before she saw his movement.
    “Get your things. Let’s go.”
    “No, Thomas. You can’t do this. I took you away from work last night. I can’t ask for you to help me with this. I will be okay. I’ll just take Peaches with me.”
    “Yeah, honey, take a dog to a crime scene. Sorry, not going to work. Get your stuff and let’s go. I am taking you and while I’m there, I’ll make some calls. Heck, while we’re at it, baby, you and I can also have a coffee date just like you wanted.”
    “What!” she screeched.
    “I am not taking any chances of something else happening. Sorry, pizza last night does not say date. Coffee, that is all on you, baby. But-we-will-go-out-today,” he enunciated.
    “Fine, you big bully.”
    She was about to walk off when she suddenly found herself in his arms once again.
    “Man, if I knew that this was all it took to get you in my arms, I think I would have formulated a different plan a long time ago.”
    She felt him laugh through his words. As much as she had been holding back from him, she was so glad that he was here with her.
    Was she capable of taking care of herself? Sure as shit, she was, but that did not take away from wanting someone to share this with.
    “Well, don’t let this go to your head, buddy. I am just using you.”
    “By all means, Wen, use me. But just so you know, that will not be the end of us. We started something and I will be damned if we don’t see where this goes.”
    Her head was up against his chest. As he spoke, she felt not just his heartbeat, but also the rumble of his words. It was deep and comforting. Something she didn’t want, something she was not ready for. Greg had broken her heart, hence her staying away from Thomas. She didn’t think she could handle another heartbreak, and with Thomas, all Wen could see was her heart in his large, massive hands. Shaking her head ever so lightly, she pulled back and looked at him. Yep, pure heartbreak.
    “Thank you, Thomas.” With that, she got up from the couch, checked on Peaches in the yard and then went to grab her things.

 
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
    Thomas wanted to ask her why she said she was just using him. But it was her tone that held him back from his question. Even though he thought it was a bad idea for her to be at her parent’s store, he figured it would be better if he was with her just in case some more shit went down. He needed to talk to Alek and find out the name of his cop friend, but he wanted to do it when Wen was not around.
    As she went and got ready to leave, Thomas checked in with Jefferson, who of course didn’t answer his phone, then called Alek, who stated that he couldn’t talk but would explain later. As he disconnected with Alek, Wen came out ready to leave.
    “You mind if we head to my house? I could use a shower,” he said.
    Like a really cold shower .
    “Yeah, that’s fine.”
    As they walked out of the house, he looked around the neighborhood just as the sun was rising. With Wen behind him, Thomas walked to the bike and got it ready to move across the street into his driveway.
    “You just going to walk it over?”
    “Yeah. Why would I start it when I live a few feet