Page 2 of Outlaw

I look around for who she might be talking about, then realize it’s me. I almost forgot my name.

Tilly. I’m Tilly. It’s what my ID says. It’s what everyone here calls me. It’s how I’m supposed to be introducing myself. Tilly.

My stomach knots as I step toward the counter, trying not to make eye contact with the man. I’ve changed the color of my hair from blonde to brunette, I’m wearing colored contacts, and when I look in the mirror, I hardly recognize myself, but that doesn’t mean Outlaw won’t.

“Hi,” I squeak. Lord, he’s a handsome man. If he weren’t the bounty hunter in charge of dragging me in, I might ask him to slay a dragon with me.

“Hello. You’re new here.” His tone is dark and rough.

I shake my head. “Not really. I started a while ago.”

“Can’t be more than a month.”

I stare down at the computer, pretending to look for his name, though I see it quite clearly. “You’re perceptive.”

“It’s my job. I know everyone in this town. Are you new?”

“New? To Rugged Mountain?” God, he’s onto me. Any second now, he’s going to whip out handcuffs and haul me away. “Sort of. I’m from Pennsylvania.”

“What part? I have family there.”

I suck in a breath. I need flashcards for all the lies. “Oh, all over the state really, but ugh…” I cough, giving myself more time to think. “Lancaster.” Please don’t have family in Lancaster. I’m pretty sure my eyes are squeezed close, waiting for his response.

This is like unwiring a bomb. If I pull the wrong cord… boom! I’m done for.

“Oh. My cousin’s in Philly.” His dark eyes stay on mine for a beat too long and I wonder what he’s thinking.

Handcuffs? Ropes? Extension cord? If I’m being honest with myself, though, this whole thing sounds kinky. Maybe I’d be down for this dragging me in thing.

“You, ugh, you get that ink locally?” What am I saying?

“Yeah. Rugged Mountain Ink. The place is huge. Those guys are crazy talented. They’ve got folks comin’ in from all over to have work done by them. The staff there now is good, but I got a few of these when Henry and Maddox were full time. Having something from either of them is like having a valuable collectable at this point. You got any ink?”

Thankfully, no. Aside from having no disposable income, I’ve steered clear of distinguishing marks. I never understood why criminals have tattoos. It’s the one thing the cops can pick off you immediately. Not that I’d ever intended on being a criminal. Then again, maybe I did, and I was safeguarding myself all along.

That guy with the circus clown smoking a joint tattoo definitely broke into my house, officer. There’s no defense to that. No one would forget a circus clown smoking a joint. I don’t get it.

“Nope. Nothing. Not sure if I ever will.”

“You don’t like ink?”

“Oh, I do… on other people.”

He nods slowly as though he’s processing through something. Clearly, this guy is smart. I can feel it and that means I’m toast. This whole salon and everyone in it are going to know I robbed two banks across two states, and now I’m in hiding. I should’ve left. I knew there were bounty hunters in town. Why did I stay?

I huff out a sigh and glance down at the laptop again. “You’re all checked in, so…”

Outlaw nods and settles into the waiting room. He looks so out of place here, sitting in a little pink chair next to a cart of fancy coffees and hair magazines. I wonder why he doesn’t get a haircut elsewhere.

“Okay, big brother. I’m ready for you.” Carmen smiles widely as she waves the giant toward her.

I get it now. This isn’t good.

“Ya know,” her tone is light and playful as she whips the apron around his massive chest, “Tilly was just telling me how much she misses her family, and you… were just telling me how lonely you are.”

“I’m not lonely,” he groans. “I’m busy. I told you I’m busy.”

“Right.” She rolls her eyes. “Busy doing the most boring things. You two should go out tonight.”

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