Page 52 of Bleeding Blackheart

Dallas breathes deeply over the line. “I think you guys should lay low for a few days. Don’t come back to town yet.”

Montana looks at me curiously, and I hold my hand up to let her know I’ll clue her in in a minute. I pace around the porch, wondering what happened between last night and this morning. I hadn’t told Dallas about keepingMontana with me and returning home today. I was planning to call him on the way. How does he know already?

“Why should we stay out of town?” I try to stay calm while he clues me in.

“Word’s gotten out that Mason is looking for you. You and Montana. And apparently some of his friends are stopping in our area this week. Some of them may get here today. If you two don’t want to die, keep your heads down until I let you know we’re all clear. Then you might want to find a new house.”

“Shit.” I didn’t doubt that the bastard would come after me, but the thought of him having help didn’t cross my mind. “How many friends?”

“I don’t know. But enough to make me concerned. Where are you anyway?”

“We’re at Colt’s. We were planning to come back today.”

“Did you get the money?”

I glance at Montana, still in shock that the whole reason we’re here is because I threatened her for cash. “Yeah. But you won’t see a damn penny of it so don’t bother asking for any.”

He laughs deeply. “Fine. But you can always send me a birthday card with a little something in it. Anyway, Colt’s might be a good place to hang out for a bit.”

“Agreed.”

“So. I take it you and your prisoner are getting along now?”

I step off the porch, hoping Montana can’t hear him through the line. “Not quite. But hopefully soon.”

“Good for you. Stay out of trouble and don’t get murdered.”

“Thanks.” I hang up the phone and look at my nervous little fawn.

She digs her nails in her palms. “What was that all about?”

“Something’s come up. We need to stay here for a few more days.”

“Why?”

I jog back up the steps, opening the front door and walking behind her inside the house. “Because you were right. Your father is after us. We’ll stay here until the storm blows over, and we’ll go back when it’s safe.”

Colt sits in the kitchen on a barstool, still drinking coffee. “Y’all are welcome to stay as long as you’d like.”

Montana goes to the sink and washes dirt off her hands. “It’ll never be safe to go back, Gunner.”

I hate to say it, but part of me thinks she may be right. But we have no other choice. I’m not leaving the life I built behind.

Colt butts his head into our conversation. “Why don’t you two go do something fun? A new movie theater just opened up in town. You should go.”

Montana raises a brow, shaking her head. I step away from him, going to wash my hands too. “I don’t go to the movies. Haven’t been in years.”

Montana nods her head in agreement. “Same.”

Colt looks between us like we’re robots. “Even more of a reason why you should go.” He grins. “You could even call it a date if you wanted.”

There’s a lot I need in my life, but a wingman is not one of them. And Montana doesn’t want to go anyway. “Thanks, but I don’t really feel like going anywhere with a hundred grand in the back of my truck.”

He stands up and tucks his white shirttail in his black jeans. “Take the Camero.”

I’m ready to shoot him down again when Montana’s eyes light up. “Camero?”

He nods his head. “Yes, ma’am.”

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