Page 49 of Witch Bound and Down

"I'm counting on it," Bullseye said, downshifting as they hit the main road. "I've got a reputation to maintain."

"What about the cargo? Won't the dragons be upset that you dumped their Bond Buster?"

"Probably. But I technically delivered it to New York within the time limit, so they can't say I didn't complete the contract." He grinned at her, and the mating bond hummed with shared joy. "Besides, we've got bigger problems right now."

Behind them, Sheriff Lawman's patrol car burst out of the chapel parking lot like a rocket, emergency lights flashing and siren wailing. He was followed by what looked like half the wedding party, including several other law enforcement vehicles.

"PULL OVER!" the sheriff's voice boomed through a megaphone. "PULL OVER RIGHT NOW!"

"Not a chance," Bullseye said, pressing harder on the accelerator. The Trans Am shot forward, putting distance between them and their pursuers.

"You know," Hazel said, watching the parade of flashing lights in the side mirror, "for a minute there, I thought you weren't coming."

"I almost didn't," Bullseye admitted. "I almost convinced myself that completing the job was more important than anything else. But then I realized something."

"What?"

"That I'm not just a cargo hauler anymore. I'm your mate. And mates don't abandon each other for dragon gold."

The mating bond flared with such intensity that Hazel had to catch her breath. "So what happens now?"

"Now?" Bullseye grinned, taking a hard right turn that made the wedding dress billow around her like a white cloud. "Now we outrun the law, avoid getting arrested, and figure out how to build a life together."

"In that order?"

"Definitely in that order."

Behind them, Sheriff Lawman's voice echoed through his megaphone: "YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER! I'LL CHASE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!"

"Challenge accepted," Bullseye said, and the Trans Am roared into the night, carrying them toward whatever came next.

"Well," Hopper said philosophically, "at least this time you're running toward something instead of away from it."

"Best wedding ever," Hazel said, leaning over to kiss Bullseye's cheek as they disappeared into the darkness, chased by flashing lights and the sound of sirens.

And for the first time in days, the mating bond felt exactly right.

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