Page 4 of Saving Bonnie

At this point, her legs are giving out. Not that I mind. She’s melting against me. Her head’s on my chest, and every curve is clinging to my body.

The first tap of raindrops on the kitchen exhaust draws my attention outside. Within seconds, the drizzle increases to a full-fledged rain. There’s too much noise to hear any movement. The door’s still open, so we’re vulnerable. With the echo on the exhaust, I’d probably miss hearing the gate if the driver decided to backtrack. Frank better damn well have his eyes open because I don’t need any more surprises.

She flexes her fingers, tightening her hold on me. The simple move puts me on alert. Regardless of who she is, she needs to keep a distance from the gun at the back of my waist. I don’t give free passes, to anyone.

“I think I need to sit down.” Her voice is shaky as the adrenaline drains from her system. I can’t leave her to grab a chair from the other room, and I sure as hell can’t bring her along. The runner I dragged in got hit by the car then went headfirst into the asphalt. The end result is not something she’d be prepared to see.

Looking around, I spot a box sitting on the counter by the door. Heavy shrink wrap and shipping straps reinforce the cardboard. That should hold her weight without a problem. Reading the words along the side, I suppress a snort. Pickled carrots. The perfect place for Bunny to sit.

“Give me a second.” Tucking her into my side, we take a couple of steps. When we’re close enough, I stretch, without releasing her, and grab the box. “Okay, we’re moving again,” I warn, tightening my hold as we maneuver to the spot where she landed.

“I’m sorry. I should be okay.” Her face turns red as she blinks rapidly, fighting the aftereffects. I can almost feel the heat blasting through her cheeks.

“I’ll set this on the floor.” I lower the box, setting it on end, as I try to keep her steady. “So you can sit for a while.”

“Thank you.” She sets her butt on the box, prim and proper. The little shorts ride up to show off the top of her thighs. For several seconds, she’s got my full attention, and I don’t like it.

“Wait here while I take care of the rest.”

She nods, running her hands across her forehead and down her cheeks. The angle of her forearms pushes her tits together, and the ruffles on her blouse are waving in front of me like a matador’s cape.

Fuck. I turn away, dragging in a breath. A woman should not look this good when she’s shaken up.

“Mattie’s on her way.” Kassy’s voice pierces the fog, snapping me back to reality. How could I forget she’s still on the earpiece? Easy—all the blood’s rushed to my dick, so my brain’s shot.

“Tell her there’s a small parking lot right past the building.” I head for the entrance, checking the shadows in the immediate area before closing the door.

After a few seconds, Kassy returns with an update. “She knows,” she replies in a tight voice. “I swear she hates me,” Kassy adds, under her breath.

“That’s not hate.” Disdain. Tolerance. Annoyance. Not hate.

“But she—”

I don’t have time for this shit. “Pronounce her name right. Then we’ll go from there.” Matilde prefers her nickname, but Kassy uses an American version. “You’ve heard me say it.”

“Okay.” Her defeated tone wavers through the line. “Mah-tay.” She says, splitting the syllables, yet still mispronouncing the name. “No, Mah-teh. Sounds better when you say it. Mah-teh, Mah-teh, Mah-teh.”

“Get me her position.”

We’ve all avoided the barely suppressed hostility between them. The two couldn’t be more opposite. Kassy’s light, while Mate has darkness about her. She comes from a proud line, tracing back through the Aztec culture to a time before the Spaniards.

“They’re at the gate.” The squeak of hinges is barely discernible over the pelting rain. Seconds later, the steady hum of the van’s V8 engine grows louder as they park beside the entrance.

Bunny sets a hand out to push herself up. “Stay where you are,” I snap. Silently, she sinks down, bringing her hands to her lap, holding her knees in a white-knuckle grip.

I need to pull myself together before Mate walks in with the crew. She’s got a sharp eye for detail. It’s what makes her the best damn cleaner in the business.

The guys didn’t have much time to get around the place, but I’ll have Mate’s crew check them, just in case. “Did they take anything?”

Bunny glances around, pointedly avoiding staring at the blood streaking the floor. “I-I can’t be sure, but I don’t think so.”

The doorknob turns, opening to let Mate step in. She pauses at the entrance, her dark jumpsuit immaculate. Any other time, she would survey the area. Tonight, her sharp gaze goes straight to Bunny then tacks onto me. Questions flow between us, wordless, yet echoing throughout. Palm by her thigh, she spreads her fingers, halting her crew. They’re disciplined enough to wait in place, despite the rain.

Bunny isn’t a threat, but she’s still a cause for concern. Mate’s waiting for an acknowledgment the situation is under control and Bunny is meant to be here. I give a quick nod, but the slight tightening of the muscles around her eyes says there’s more to come. Likely I’ll be on the losing end of that conversation.

Raising her chin, Mate tucks her hands into her pockets and steps in like she owns the place. Her survey across the room is quick, but that doesn’t mean it’s not thorough.

“They’re in the next room.” I nod, indicating the dining area.

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