Page 49 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

John reached up to help Willa down from Gator, and she swatted his hand away.

“I’m not riding in that helicopter, and I’m not going into federal custody. I’m going to take Roscoe back, then I have things to do.”

Mac walked over to her horse. “Willa, I don’t want to have to arrest you, but I will. I want you looked over by a medical team, and I want to know you’re safe. So, I’masking,” he said, stressing the last word, “for the last time. Please get off your horse and come ride in the chopper with me to the hospital.”

“And I’mtellingyou for the last time, no. I patch you up, and your way of thanking me is to get in my face? Jesus, John, you’d best tell your friend here what happened to the last guy who tried to manhandle me.”

“Yes, pray tell John, what did she do?”

“It was shortly after you two split. She broke a pool cue over his head, then went all ninja on him. It wasn’t pretty.”

“Then we should be fine since there’s not a pool table or cue anywhere in sight. Off the horse, Willa.Now.”

Willa went to turn her horse away, despite the small flame flickering in her lower belly. Mac reached up and neatly plucked her off the horse with his good arm.

“Willa Reynolds, you are now in custody. Do I need handcuffs or zip ties?”

“Only if you’re planning to show me a much better time than you have so far,” she retorted.

Mac laughed.

She’d forgotten how much she liked the sound of his voice, especially when he was issuing a command, but his laugh… that was something else again. She decided she’d go along for now. Once in the hospital, she’d slip away. Mac was right—the mustangs would be fine until she could return and drive them to safety.

“Then let’s not keep the guys in the chopper waiting. After you…” He bowed, then pointed her toward the chopper.

She looked over at John, who did his best to hide his smirk.

“I wouldn’t look so pleased with myself if I were you, John Hampton. Your wife is my best friend, and I rather suspect she’ll have something to say about this.”

“You mean along the lines of thanks for making sure my friend wasn’t injured and is going to be safe? If you want, I can call her and tell her for you,” John offered, chuckling.

Willa laughed in spite of herself. “You’re a jerk, Hampton.”

“And you’re a hellcat, Reynolds. Now, run along with Mac and try not to be your usual pain-in-the-ass self.”

Mac put his hand on the small of her back to guide her toward the chopper. At the last moment, she turned around and stuck her tongue out at John, who laughed uproariously as did Willa. Mac helped her into the chopper, then went around to the other side and joined her.

The chopper lifted off and banked toward the hospital in Mesa. Having never been in a chopper before, Willa caughther breath in dismayed surprise but found comfort in Mac’s reassuring presence and when he took her hand in his.

“It’s okay, Willa. I’ve got you.” He adjusted his internal mic. “Hey, guys, I think this may be Ms. Reynolds’ first ride in a helicopter. Can we take it nice and easy?”

“Sure, boss. Sorry, Ms. Reynolds.”

Mac reached over and turned her mic on.

“That’s okay. It just caught me by surprise,” she replied.

Willa was impressed all over again by the man who sat at her side. He had to be in tremendous pain, but he was still calm and caring enough to comfort her. They spent the rest of the trip in companionable silence and made good time. Mac didn’t release her hand until they landed at the hospital, and the medics put him on the gurney, so they could take him inside to be tended to.

Willa entered the hospital from its helipad. The man who’d referred to Mac as ‘boss’ in the helicopter had escorted him inside. As soon as everyone was clear, the pilot lifted off and flew away, and she found herself standing inside the hospital. Instead of heading down to the emergency room, she took the stairs down from the roof, exited the building, and hailed a cab for home.

Once inside the cab and safely away, Willa giggled. She wouldn’t have long before Mac realized she wasn’t at the hospital and called John to track her down. She didn’t imagine either man would be happy with her, but she had no intention of being placed in federal custody. She had things to do, including running her business. Mac, more than anyone else, should understand that.

Willa figured Eastwick was long gone. If he planned to escape the US Marshal Service, making use of any head start he had on them was crucial. The Marshals were famous for being relentless in the pursuit of a fugitive.

“What do you mean she’s not here?” John asked. “Well, where the hell is she?”

John ran his hand over his face. Mac was not going to be happy. It had taken John several hours to arrange everything at Tortilla Flats, then he’d called Mandy to meet him at the hospital. He figured Willa would be out of sorts, and taking her and his wife out to dinner might help smooth some ruffled feathers.

---