Page 104 of Wild Bliss

There had been more than one.

Wyatt forced down his fear. He’d gone by fast. He hadn’tbeen able to ID any of the bikes. Maybe it had been an optical illusion.

“I have never disobeyed an order from Sheriff Wright,” Knoxreplied. “Not once, but I knew he would try to… I don’t know. He would try tofigure out a way you’re not the bad guy. He doesn’t see things straight when itcomes to this town. He believes all the shit people spout.”

“He coddles these citizens.” Marshall made another turn.They were following the river out of town. Two more turns and he would be outof Bliss’s jurisdiction. “He lets them walk all over the rules. He should takethis place in hand and things would be better.”

He was sick of listening to them. It was obvious theyweren’t going to help him. They would mindlessly do their jobs and think theywere good guys for never questioning authority. “Better? In what way? Whatexactly do you take exception to? The everyone looks after everyone else thing?How kind people are?”

“The naked people,” Knox said with a sigh. “They skirt thelaw all the time up there. And then there’s Mel. Someone should pick him up andshove his ass in a psych ward.”

“You know Sabrina calls him Dad,” Wyatt pointed out. “Niceway to talk about the woman you like’s father.”

“Yeah, well, she turned out to not be who we thought shewas,” Knox admitted. “And this has nothing to do with her. Not really. Ithought she was a nice lady, the kind who might want to settle down.”

“She does.” Wyatt didn’t mind twisting the knife in thiscase. “She wants to settle down with me and Sawyer.”

A nasty chuckle came from Marshall’s throat. “Yeah, andthat’s why she’s not who we thought she was. I can’t believe they’re going tolet her teach school.”

“You need to stay out of Bliss after this.” Even if hecouldn’t be there, Wyatt knew there were plenty of people who would defendSabrina. Some of them were tiny, but they had some pointy cowboy boots andcould kick a shin when they wanted to. And some of them would simply brushthese two off like the pests they were. “I assure you the town isn’t going towelcome you back.”

“I already planned to let Sheriff Wright know we won’t beavailable for extra shifts anymore.” Knox settled but his shoulders were stillup around his ears. He wasn’t as sure about the decision as he wanted Wyatt tobelieve. “We won’t go back there.”

He had one last road he could go down. “No, you won’tbecause whoever the CBI sent is almost assuredly working for my brother, andhe’ll want to ensure he cleans up all the evidence. You’re part of it. You’lllikely meet a nasty accident.”

“More threats?” Marshall asked, staring at him through therearview mirror.

“More like predicting your future,” Wyatt replied with along sigh. He sat back as much as he could since his hands were cuffed behindhis back. “I know how my brother operates.”

“Probably because it’s how you operate.” Knox seemed to wantto say more, but the radio squawked suddenly. Knox picked it up. “This isMiller.”

“Knox, there’s been a change of plans,” the voice said overthe radio. “The CBI agent needs to get the suspect to Colorado Springs tonight.They’re meeting you at the old gas station on the edge of Bliss. It’s closed,but it’s a good place to make the transfer.”

“Uh, what about the paperwork?” Knox suddenly didn’t soundas sure.

“Sheriff okay’d it. You know he doesn’t want any of this.Let the CBI deal with it. He doesn’t want beef with Nate Wright. He’s callinghim as we speak to try to settle things,” the woman said. “Let me know when thetransfer’s been made. Boys, this isn’t your fight. The Bureau wants this guy.It’s best to get him to a facility that can handle him.”

“I don’t have anyone behind me.” This alone should tell themit was a setup. “I left the MC. They won’t save me. Unless you’re worriedSabrina is going to storm the station house.”

“We’re on our way and will call back when the handoff isdone,” Knox said and hung up the radio. “I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Think about it.” He was getting desperate. He’d thought hewould have time, but they were working around all the paperwork standingbetween him and his brother. “You know something’s wrong. You have copinstincts. What are they telling you right now? Don’t listen to the whole Ihave to do what my superiors say. You know damn well there’s a time and a placeto rebel. What’s your gut saying?”

“My gut is saying the sooner we turn you over, the quickerwe can get on with our lives,” Marshall announced. “Look, it’s right up ahead.What do you think they’re going to do? Shoot us in broad daylight and take youaway? I think someone will notice if we don’t make it back.”

They obviously didn’t have vivid imaginations. He could seethe CBI agent up ahead. He was parked slightly behind the abandoned building.It would give him some cover. “First of all, it’s not broad daylight. It’stwilight, and it’ll be dark in moments. Second, he’ll almost surely set it upso I’m the one who got hold of one of your guns and killed you as I fled thescene. Then he’ll kill me unless my brother wants a word.”

“You’re paranoid.” Marshall shrugged him off.

“He’s desperate. He knows this is it,” Knox argued asMarshall pulled into the parking lot. The CBI agent motioned for him to pull infurther, until the squad car was next to his. And out of sight from thehighway. “I’m sorry, Wyatt. You did the crime. You gotta pay for it.”

“Don’t get out,” Wyatt warned. “I am begging you to drive toCreede. Do it there. If we’re in front of the station, he can’t kill you.”

Knox rolled his eyes and opened the car door. “Agent Reese,it’s good to see you again. We’ve got the suspect. He’s been read his rightsand is ready for transfer.”

Agent Reese was a tall, thin man. A somewhat familiar man.He wore a suit today, his badge in clear view, but when he came to see Wayne,he was always more casual, always trying to hide his features with sunglassesand a ball cap.

Fuck and fuck. Worst-case scenario.

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