Page 9 of Handcuffed By the Bounty Hunters

Just then, thunder pounds so loud, it’s like the earth is shaking. Penny’s entire form seems to contract underneath the blanket.

She’s scared of the storm.

“Hey,” I say. “Hey, it’s okay.”

“It’s not,” she says, sniffling.

“Come here.”

“Where? I’m as close as possible—you’re crowding me on this bed—” Her grumbling complaint ends in a frightened gasp when a new flash of lightning illuminates the room.

“Here,” I say, tugging her so she’s sitting next to me.

I pull the blanket around her shoulders and tuck her into my side, but tears continue to stream from her eyes. Another loud thunderclap, and she sobs.

That’s it. I can’t take it for another second.

“Please let me hold you,” I say.

As soon as she nods, I tug her into my lap and wrap my arms around her. She fits easily against me like this. Perfectly. Her head is tucked in the crook of my shoulder. Goddamn, it’s unreal how good she feels huddled in my embrace. The curve of her luscious ass against me makes me hard, but I will my cock to stand down. She doesn’t need that—at least not now.

After a long moment, she begins to relax. Even during the next clap of thunder, she doesn’t flinch and hide like she was before.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“Of course, baby girl,” I say. “I mean, Penny. Shit. Sorry.”

“I don’t mind,” she says quietly.

The words just rolled off my tongue. Baby girl. Maybe I was thinking too much earlier about seeing Roark enact scenes at Low Vice.

I’ve enacted scenes of my own at Low Vice. Always with another girl, and never teaming up with a guy. But being in this cabin with Penny and Roark has my mind spinning with filthy thoughts.

Eventually, we fall asleep. I know I’m supposed to be on watch, but I don’t need to stay awake while my arms are wrapped around her. I’ll wake up if she moves.

Roark’s gruff voice wakes me.

“Well, don’t you two look fucking cozy over there.”

Roark

It’s telling that Cameron doesn’t let her go when I speak up. One hour with her? Two? And he’s in fucking deep. I can see how besotted he is, like some simpy teenager.

And if I’m being honest, I can see why he’s besotted. She’s a beautiful woman in distress. She’s obviously strong and brave by coming all this way alone. Stubborn and determined, too.

Did I mention beautiful? Those brown eyes of hers are mesmerizing, and the way her short haircut exposes that pretty neck makes me imagine putting a collar there and calling her mine.

As soon as I get her safe, that is.

She could be manipulating us, though. This could be her trick—make herself seem vulnerable and defenseless. When we least expect it, she’ll smash our skulls in and run.

She’s huddled in Cameron’s lap, though, and she doesn’t look any more harmful than a little girl.

No. I have to remember the assignment. And the assignment is to get the girl and get the information she stole.

We have the girl. Where is the information?

Her backpack lies on the floor next to me. I unzip the main compartment and empty its contents over the floor.

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