Page 83 of Enforcing the Rules

“Get his feet,” Utah ordered, and they both carried him to the sliding door and tossed him inside.

Baja zip-tied his wrists behind his back and his ankles.

Utah joined Memphis in the room, tossing the mattresses and going through everything. I walked in, taking in the mess, and closed the door behind me. Utah glanced up.

“Any clue where he’d hide shit?”

My eyes traveled around the room, trying to think. Then I remembered where he always hid money from my mother and pointed. “Check behind the heat vent.”

Utah knelt and turned on the flashlight app on his phone. He shined it through the slatted grating. “There’s something there.”

“Here, let me get it open.” Memphis pulled out a knife and used the blade to loosen the screws. He pulled the vent cover off, revealing a bulging bank deposit bag.

“Count it,” Utah said, pointing to the bed.

Memphis carried it over and dumped it upside down. Stacks of bills fell out. Memphis began counting while Utah watched. I moved to the window and peered out the slit in the curtains. All was quiet, nothing out of the ordinary except the dark cargo van parked behind my car.

“Looks like he spent some. There’s about five grand missing.”

Utah sighed. “We might be able to get that out of the Rolex he’s wearing. You see it?”

“I did.” Memphis nodded.

“All right. Let’s go.”

Memphis gathered the money and shoved it in the bag, then exited. Utah stopped in front of me. “Get your bond enforcement gear on and go cuff him. You did great, babe. Even I believed that bullshit you fed him.”

I grinned. “You’re letting me take him in?”

“I promised you, didn’t I?”

“But what about the club?”

“We got our money back. I’ll work out the rest with them. You ride with Baja in the van. I’ll follow with Memphis in your car.”

I stared at him, so overcome by what he was doing for me. “I love you.”

“You better. I’m putting my neck on the line for you with the club.” He dipped and pressed his lips to mine, then swatted my ass. “Go before we attract attention.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Utah—

I waited outside the county jail, leaned against the hood of Kate’s car. When she walked out and saw me, she jogged over, closing the distance to jump in my arms.

I caught her, and I always would.

“It’s done. Thank you for giving me that. Thanks for believing in me and letting me get him out of the motel room and take him down.”

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

She nodded. “I had my doubts you’d keep your word.”

“I kind of knew that. Guess we both need to start workin’ on our trust issues.” I stared at her happy face and brushed a lock of hair back from her temple. “You know, at the beginning, I had my doubts about your ability. I suppose I was like every other man you’ve met in the business. Not anymore, babe. You’ve more than proved yourself capable of this job. Shocked the shit out of me when you pulled that taser out.”

“Want to know a secret? That’s the first time I’ve ever used it.”

“You coulda fooled me. So, you think this is what you want to do in the future? Be a badass bounty hunter?”

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