His face pales. We both know he's been cutting corners for years, taking shortcuts that skirt the edge of legality.
"What do you want, Maddox?"
"Clear her name." I tap the folder with one finger. "Today. Now. While I wait."
"It's not that simple?—"
"Make it simple." I straighten to my full height, letting my jacket fall open just enough to reveal the holster beneath. "Or I'll simplify things myself."
He swallows hard, eyes flicking to the gun and back to my face. "Fine. But it'll cost you."
"No." My voice is flat. "You fuck up, you fix it. For free. And you make sure every hunter who took the job knows it's been rescinded."
"That'll take?—"
"An hour. Maybe two." I check my watch pointedly. "I'll wait."
For a moment, I think he might refuse. Might call my bluff. But it's not a bluff, and he knows it. Jim's seen what I'm capable of. Has paid me for it, more than once.
"Fine," he says finally, reaching for his phone. "But after this, we're done. Find another bondsman."
"Gladly."
I take a seat across from his desk, settling in to wait as he makes calls, sends emails, processes paperwork. It takes ninety-seven minutes before he hands me the official notice of bounty rescindment, stamped and signed.
"There. She's clear." He doesn't meet my eyes. "Now get out of my office."
I stand, tucking the notice into my jacket pocket. "Pleasure doing business with you, Jim."
His only response is a raised middle finger as I walk out.
The drive back to the cabin is faster than the drive in, the weight lifted from my shoulders making the truck feel lighter somehow. By the time I pull up to the cabin, the sun is starting to set, painting the mountains in shades of gold and orange.
Beck is waiting on the porch, wrapped in a blanket against the evening chill. She stands when she hears the truck, eyes searching my face as I approach.
"Well?" she asks, voice tight with anxiety.
I pull the notice from my pocket, holding it up for her to see. "Done. No more bounty. No more hunters. You're free."
Her eyes fill with tears as she takes the paper, reading it quickly before looking back up at me. "How did you?—"
"Doesn't matter." I climb the porch steps, closing the distance between us. "What matters is you're safe now."
"Thank you," she whispers, tears spilling over. "I don't know how to?—"
I cut her off, lifting her into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist instinctively, the blanket falling away to reveal she's wearing nothing underneath. My cock hardens instantly at the realization.
"Don't need thanks," I growl, carrying her through the front door. "Need you."
She laughs, a sound of pure joy that makes something in my chest tighten. "You have me. Always."
I make it as far as the kitchen before my control snaps. I pin her against the wall, my hands already working my belt open, freeing my aching cock. She helps, her small hands pushing at my jeans until they're down around my thighs.
"It's over," I tell her, positioning myself at her entrance. "Baby girl. It's over."
"Yes," she gasps as I thrust home in one smooth stroke, filling her completely. "God, Gray?—"
"Daddy," I correct, setting a relentless pace immediately. "Say it."
