His return smile was devilish. “Don’t tempt me. I meant bounty hunting.”
“Looks fun, can I come?”
She expected him to say no, and he didn’t disappoint. “It’s too—”
“Dangerous, I know. I’m getting tired of that excuse. Can’t you tell? I love danger.” Technically she loved him… but how could that be? She wasn’t sure, it was too fast. Yet, she could feel it in her heart, her gut, through her whole body. Could it simply be the aftereffects of his lovemaking again? She barely knew him, but there it was. Amber would say it was infatuation, but this was different than anything Mia had felt before. “By the way, I’ve proven I can handle it.”
He frowned, but there wasn’t much consternation in it. “For now, I’m keeping you close for safety reasons, not because you can handle it. The situation could change rapidly, and seriously get too risky for you. I won’t take that chance. You’re too important to me.”
She kissed Ladybug’s head, set her down, and went over to slide into his lap. He scooted the chair back to make room for her and she faced him, teasing her fingers through his hair. “You’re important to me, too. If you’re going into a life-threatening situation, then I’m going with you. You can bristle and yell all you want, but you’re stuck with me. You better get used to it.”
He gave her a patient smile and patted her butt. “Okay, here’s the deal. Like before, you have to do what I say, when I say, and how I say it. Agreed?”
In answer, she kissed him, long and deep. “I promise.”
He looked slightly dazed from the kiss, and she climbed off his lap, a satisfied grin on her lips. “We’re gonna need some fuel. Let me go see what I can find to make for breakfast.”
There was one egg and two slices of bread left. She pulled out a skillet, added a few frozen mushrooms, along with a slice of ham, and went to work.
“We’ve been going about this all wrong,” Malachi pocketed his phone, pointing to some of the circles on the map. “This is the lab and the landfill. Over here is the place where Marcher was caught with you in his trunk. The other two sites the FBI raided are way across town. I’m eliminating them from our search. Even though they meet some of the criteria, I don’t think Marcher and his crew were using those.”
She glanced over. “What are those other three circles?”
“Known Komosu hangouts.”
“So there’s been no word from Sam or the others that they’ve tracked down Horvat?”
“None, but Newt Marcher landed in L.A. two hours ago. Dupé didn’t have him arrested in hopes he might lead us to Horvat, King, or possibly Amber.”
Her hands trembled slightly. She cracked the egg into the skillet and it sizzled. “So what are you and I going to do, Mr. Bounty Hunter?”
“We’re hitting the streets,” he told her with a gleam in his eye. “It’s time we apprehend a fugitive.”
Two hours later,they were in front of Bondsmen Brothers with a full cast of news media waiting for them. Malachi, dressed in full fugitive apprehension gear, held up the photo of Horvat and cameras snapped. His voice boomed over the sidewalk and street, the microphone shoved toward him, unnecessary. “We’re looking for this man, wanted for questioning in the kidnapping of Mayor Livingston, and we’re asking for the public’s help. There is a reward.”
Inside the building, Caleb, Joe, Josie and Mia watched. Caleb chuckled. “I can’t believe he’s doing this.”
Mia smiled, proud. “He’s smart and quite brave.”
“Absolutely,” Joe agreed, “especially since he hates the spotlight. He’ll never be able to hide under his comfortable rock again.”
“He’s been different ever since he met you,” Josie told Mia.
Caleb drummed his fingers on a chair near the wall. “I’m honestly surprised he didn’t try this last year when he was after Horvat. Maybe the guy wouldn’t have duped him. Still, itishard to believe he’s going out on a limb like this, putting us on national TV. The Bureau will be so pissed.”
Joe’s phone rang at that exact moment. “Uh, huh,” he said. “And there it is, my favorite federal agent calling. I’d say you’re correct. Should I answer it?”
“Of course.” Josie shot him a duh look. “She’s also your wife.”
Caleb winked at him. “Wouldn’t want to be you right now, bro.”
“Wait a minute.” Mia glanced at the others. “What did you mean about Horvat duping Malachi last year?”
“Gotta take this.” Joe hustled off. Sam’s voice rang out before he ducked into his office and shut the door.
Caleb shook his head. “Um, nothing. I mean… He didn’t tell you?”
Mia pinned them with a glare. “No. How about you do the honors.”
