Chapter 5
Drake knew he was being an ass. He had ignored Jinx’s every attempt to talk to him on the taxi shuttle ride to the bail enforcement agency. It wasn’t her fault that he had to park in the spot under the construction site, nor was it her fault that his treasured 350 hover pickup truck was totaled. The construction owner said that their insurance would cover the damages, so it would be a few days before he would receive the necessary credits to go in and get a replacement vehicle.
He glanced over at the petite woman. She had stopped trying to talk to him and settled for staring out the window. Drake had been caught up in shock and despair over his truck that he had completely ignored Jinx the whole way to work. The freak accident hadn’t been her fault. This probably wasn’t the first day on the job she was looking forward.
“Jinx I…” he was about to apologize for his attitude, but the hover taxi stopped at the bail enforcement agency. Jinx leaned forward and swiped her credit card through the slot in the back, paying for the ride. His hackles rose. He could have paid for it.
“Thanks for the ride,” Jinx said to the driver and gave him a wink.
“Sure thing honey. Word of advice, he’s too old for you.”
She laughed, “Everyone’s too old for me.” Jinx opened the door and got out, not waiting for him.
Drake reached for the handle, but the driver spoke to him. “Another word of advice, that little girl was nothing but sweet to you and you sat there like an ass. If you don’t treat her right, someone else will.”
Drake growled and got out. Jinx had been there less than one day, and she had a perfect stranger being protective over her. Hell, he was protective of her less than thirty minutes after meeting her.
Taking long strides, he easily caught up with Jinx before she reached the entrance. She hesitated, stopping right at the door. He knew she was nervous; it brought out those protective instincts. He put her hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
“Come on Jinx. Time to get to work.” He opened the door for her.
Entering behind her, Drake pointed to his desk. Five of the bounty hunters were already there, the rest must be out on the hunt. He passed by Shy, who gave him a wide smile. “Drake, you’re kind of late this morning. You must have had one wild night last night. Want to tell me about it?”
“Don’t you wish you knew.” He winked at Shy. All part of his usual sexually charged commentary. He checked out Shy’s outfit, short skirt and skin tight vest with no shirt underneath—sexy.
He had almost forgotten about Jinx until Shy glanced at her and asked, “Who’s your little friend?”
Jinx answered for herself, holding out her hand to Shy. “I’m not his friend. I’m the new bounty hunter. Jane Jean Alexander, but everyone calls me Jinx.”
Shy shook her hand and looked Jinx up, down then smiled. “Finally! Someone I’m taller than.”
Drake snorted, “Not by much.” He sat down in his seat and looked at the files on his desk. He was still tracking a perp who had been eluding him for months. The guy was wily and smart. Glancing up, he expected that Jinx would have sat at the seat across from his desk but she wasn’t there. He turned around and he watched as she went around the room, greeting each bounty hunter. The males looked at her too closely, which bothered him. Isaac, their IT guy, was holding on to her hand a little too long. Drake stood up ready to go pull her away from all the attention, when the main door to the office swung open, and Vic and his fiancée Lexi walked in.
Vic stopped in the main open lobby area and glancedaround the room. “Jagger and Daniela have a healthy little girl named Leila. Leila was a little early. All of them are tired, but doing just fine. They should be coming home in a few days.”
Everyone there clapped and hooted in joy at the news. They all took turns asking questions about the baby and Daniela. When Vic looked uncomfortable talking, Lexi took over, answering everyone until Vic told them to get back to work.
Vic seemed to be looking at something behind Drake. He turned around and saw Jinx standing there, looking at Vic with hero worship. An ugly emotion of jealousy shot through his body and it only got worse when Vic smiled and opened his arms. Jinx threw herself into his embrace.
*****
“Jinx, you have grown up.” Vic lowered her to the floor.
“I’ve missed you and Jagger so much. I can’t believe he’s a daddy.”
Turning, Vic pulled his fiancée to his side. “This is my fiancée Lexi. Lexi, this is the one I’ve been telling you about, Jinx.”
Jinx looked up at the tall, curvy blond who had won Vic’s heart. It made sense that someone as perfect as her would be with Vic. He was handsome and sexy. Her teenage feelings for him had turned into a deep affection and friendship over the years, and seeing him happy with this incredible looking woman set everything in perspective for her. She smiled and shook the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you Lexi.”
The blonde didn’t just shake hands, but pulled Jinx in for a hug. “Vic and Jagger told me so much about you. I hope you’ll come by my club tonight for a celebratory drink.”
“Sure. Looking forward to getting to know you.” She glanced over at Vic. “Well boss, I’m ready to start my training.”
He shook his head, looking at her multicolored hair. “Couldn’t you pick one color to go with?”
Jinx laughed. “I had been volunteering at a children’s hospital. They were kind of sad about me leaving, so I let the kids color my hair with food coloring on my last day before coming here.”
“Where are you staying?” Lexi asked.
