I go completely still when I reach a document with Seriphina Joseph written across the top. I read quickly, scanning over her location of birth, social security number, birthday, her parents names, and where she went to high school. Fuck, he was thorough. He’s even got the names of the pets she had as a kid on here. Why am I not surprised she’d have a cat named Lucifer? Never married, engaged once but he cheated on her before they made it to the altar. Hospital records indicate she was in an abusive relationship at one point. After a history like this, I’m surprised she trusts me at all.
A little further down the page, I tense. Both parents were killed in a car accident five years ago; she sank the entire insurance payout into Moonglow. It’s not very profitable so the money is gone. Her attachment to that store goes way deeper than making a living. It’s all she has left of her family. No otherliving relatives, a couple of close friends. But that’s it. Shit. I have to get her home.
My head snaps up. “Hold up. Say that last part again.”
He arches a brow. “Sokolov’s moving operations tonight. He’s shifting his cash, weapons, girls, everything out of the penthouse. But get this—” He taps the flash drive in my hand. “He’s not using his usual crew. He hired outside muscle for transport. Mercs with no ties to him.”
My eyes narrow. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Dunno yet, but my guess? He smells trouble coming. Doesn’t trust some of his guys.” He glances at the cabin, the tip of his mouth twitching when he looks at me. “Or maybe someone made him real nervous last night when they started breaking noses over a witchy shopkeeper.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Those mercs have names?”
“Yeah.” He nods. “I can get a full background on them in an hour, two tops.” He pats the laptop bag he has slung over his shoulder.
“Do it.” I look toward the cabin. “Keep an eye on her for me.”
He grins. “Hell yeah.” His expression screams kid in a candy store at the prospect of being left alone with Seriph. “Got it, consider me glued to her side.” I glare at him and he gestures placatingly. “Relax, I promise to keep any inappropriate body parts at least a foot away. I mean unless—”
“Jax,” I growl, taking a step closer to him. “They fuckin’ raped her.”
That wipes the grin off his face. For once, in all the time I’ve known him, he’s speechless. The humor fades away and is replaced with something more serious. “Damn,” he murmurs. “That’s why you brought her all the way out here.”
“Among other reasons,” I say, reeling myself in. “She wanted to try and take them on herself. I planned to watch her until Icould convince her otherwise. But then they fuckin’ hit her last night and...” My fists clench at the memory.
“She tried to take on the fucking Russian mob alone?” He looks at the cabin with his mouth hanging open, eyes wide. “That’s... everything is starting to make sense now. You didn’t ask for info on those guys so you can turn them in.” He shakes his head. “I’ll watch her. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” He heads inside.
I walk to the treeline and take out my phone.
William Bishop answers on the second ring. “You better not be calling about fucking Sokolov.”
“I need backup.” I sigh. “He hired mercs.”
On the other end of the line, he groans. “Hell, I knew it. Where are you?”
“Meet me at the Wheelhouse Motel off of I-70. It’s two hours west of the cabin, you know the one.” I pause. “And Bishop? Pack heavy.”
He mutters something that sounds suspiciously like, ‘fucking bounty hunters and their fucking death wishes’ before grumbling, “Four hours. Try not to get shot before I get there.” Then he hangs up.
I pocket my phone, sighing and run my fingers through my hair. I know Bishop will come through. I know Jax will keep her safe. None of that stops the gnawing in my gut that tells me this is far from over. Sokolov fucked up when he sent men after her. And I’m going to make sure the fuckwad regrets it down to his last fucking breath.
I should go in and talk to her, try to explain my behavior earlier. But I’m shit with words. And every second I spend hesitating, is another second she isn’t safe. Sokolov won’t wait and after the altercation last night my cover is blown. I’ll need to be twice as careful. Even if they don’t know who I am, they knowthere’s someone armed and capable aware they are in town doing shit they shouldn’t.
After one final lap around the perimeter, more for my sanity than actual security measures, I walk inside. I don’t look in her direction, going straight to the weapons room. I keep all my gear for my jobs here and Jax has an outpost of sorts set up inside to help me with overwatch. I pack a duffel with everything I need for the meet up with Bishop. I stop for a brief moment in the living room.
“Leavin’ for a while.” I meet her gaze before looking away quickly. “Jax stays. Don’t stab him unless he deserves it.” Before I can do something stupid like kiss her goodbye, I walk out the door.
~ Seriphina Joseph ~
I BLINK AT THE DOORbefore looking over at Jax. “Do you do things you should get stabbed for?”
His laptop is open in front of him on the table and he’s clacking away. His grin says that he absolutely does. “Only on days ending in Y, daredevil.” He leans back in his chair, arms stretching behind his head. “But don’t worry, I’m here to look pretty and make sure you don’t do anything he would shoot me for.”
I roll my eyes and go back to reading my ebook. My legs are pulled up underneath me on the couch. These men and their weird ass nicknames. He’s not kidding about looking pretty though. He has striking blue eyes and sleek black hair. His smile is breathtaking, with dimples I can’t stop myself from fixating on. He’s only a couple inches shorter than Griffin and although he’s not as big, he’s not lacking in definition, if his biceps are anything to go by. I’m beginning to think I’ve never met a bounty hunter before because they have to hide from the general public. Men this attractive shouldn’t exist.
I disappear into a world where I don’t have to think about all the reasons my life is fucked up right now. Hot bounty huntersincluded. The only sound in the room is Jax’s fingers over the keyboard. I have to wonder if his typing abilities translate into the bedroom. Then it stops and I look up to see him staring at me.
“What?” I ask, raising a brow.
