Page 13 of Outlaw

I sigh. “The doctor said I can drop you off at home, but do you feel like you can be alone right now?”

“I’m not alone. I have the puppy, remember?”

I forgot she adopted a golden retriever a few weeks ago. I think it’s too much with the amount of time she works, but I know she’s been wanting a dog for the company.

“Besides, you’re like three seconds from my house. I can press my alert button and you’ll be right there.” I installed that damn thing last year, but she never uses it.

“Why didn’t you press it earlier?”

“I was out. It’s no big deal. So, are you two like… spending the day together too?” Her tone is quick, and she’s changing the subject immediately. Something is up.

“Yeah, probably. We really like each other.” I try to keep my tone stoic.

“What do you really know about each other, though?” She leans back and twists her hair in small circles. The late night hospital visits always leave her acting silly. “What if Tilly is a serial killer who preys on unsuspecting men with her thick hips?”

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?” I bet Faith is thinking they gave her something to make her loopy, but this is her personality.

She glances toward Faith. “Or, what if Outlaw didn’t get his name because he’s a cookie jar bandit, and really he lures unsuspecting women into—”

“This whole thing was your idea, remember?”

She laughs and rolls sideways as I pull into the driveway. “I’m just messing with you guys. I have the sleepy time giggles. Sorry!”

I hop out and open the door so Carmen can climb down. “You need anything? You have your meds and—”

Her eyes roll and her tone shifts to a place I don’t usually see as she says, “I have my meds. I’m sorry I bugged you tonight. Can we talk for a second… privately?”

I grunt and glance toward Faith. “This shouldn’t take a minute.”

She nods and stares down at the little burner phone she has. This whole thing breaks my heart. A girl her age and her whole life taken out of the game because of one mistake. One really big, fucking mistake.

“What?” I shut the door and turn toward Carmen.

She lowers her head and whispers, “Do you know who that is?”

“What do you mean?”

“Faith. That woman is your bounty.” She speaks like she’s smarter than me.

My heart clenches tight. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Where did you see this?”

Carmen looks away. “Ruin. He had it up on his computer.”

My blood boils. “Why were you with Ruin? I told you to stay the fuck away from him.”

She rolls her eyes. “We’re friends.”

“He’s my friend, and he’s twenty years older than you. So, he’s not your friend.”

She crosses her arms across her chest. This is the downfall of Carmen. One second she’s sunshine and rainbows, the next she’s telling a fisherman how to fish. “Except he is. I’ve known him forever. Relax.”

I ball my fists and remind myself to unclench my jaw. “Whatever you saw on his computer is wrong. This girl isn’t a bounty.”

Carmen laughs. “Is this the first time you’ve ever lied to me, or have you done it before?”

I may have taught her how to read people a little too well.

I huff out a breath. “What are you telling me this for?”

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