Chapter 4
4
H obbling into the living room and cursing under my breath, I make my way to the fridge. I grab a plastic bag, empty an ice tray into it, and collapse onto the sofa to press the cold pack against my throbbing toe.
I force myself to take deep breaths, but just as I’m starting to relax, a loud knock on the door almost gives me a heart attack.
“Grocery delivery!” a deep, masculine voice calls out.
I frown, thinking it’s not the same guy that came yesterday or the day before. I drag myself to the door, pull it open, and take a painful step back. I’m about to ask him to drop the bags on the kitchen counter when I forget how to speak.
Wow, this is the most striking man I’ve ever seen. Tall, piercing blue eyes and rugged, handsome face… built like a god. Hermes maybe? If I remember well, he was in charge of deliveries. I want to climb him like a tree. What’s the matter with me?
Still holding my grocery bag, he flashes a charming smile. “Where do you want these?” His voice matches his appearance, smooth and confident. That man’s way too… handsome, charming, confident… to be just a delivery guy.
A small alarm rings in the back of my mind, but my tingling lady bits silence it immediately.
“Uh, on the counter, please,” I manage to say, painfully stepping aside to let him in.
As he makes his way to the kitchen, I admire his athletic build and wonder what it is about him that makes my heart race and my palms sweat. Pheromones? It’s a thing with animals, and no matter how much we try to deny it, we’re just mammals. Possibly evolved mammals, but when it comes to reproduction, our evolution is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
My delivery god sets the bags down on the counter and turns to face me, his eyes locking with mine. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
I swallow hard, my mind suddenly filled with all sorts of inappropriate thoughts. Crazy, stupid thoughts like what would our babies look like? Okay, something’s really wrong with me. I’m usually very picky about men. I’m also a snob. I only date sophisticated men. I’m not the type to swoon over a random delivery guy, no matter how devastatingly handsome he might be.
“No, that’s all. Thank you,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
He nods, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before he heads back toward the door. As he passes by, I catch a whiff of his scent—a mix of leather, sandalwood, and something uniquely him. It’s intoxicating, and I find myself fighting the urge to lean closer.
I can’t believe how strongly I react to his presence. And now is not the time to get distracted by a pair of stunning blue eyes and a chiseled jawline. I need to focus on clearing my name.
But maybe a little distraction is good… for a minute I forgot all about my toe. But now the pain is back with a vengeance and I need to ice my foot again.
I settle back on the couch without looking at him and start cursing again as soon as the door slams shut. I close my eyes and wait for the cold to work its magic when I get startled again.
“Let me help you with that?”
“What the hell?” I bark. “What are you still doing here?”
“Well, delivery boy is a side gig really. My main job is bounty hunter.” His tone is calm but firm. “My name is Ace and I’m here to take you back to Miami for your next court hearing.”
I stare at the man, my heart racing as his words sink in. A bounty hunter? Fuck, fuck, fuck, I must not panic.
Despite my best efforts to keep it steady, my voice trembles when I try to plead my case. “No, no. Listen, I don’t know what you think you know, but I’m innocent.”
A shadow of a smile appears on his gorgeous lips. Of course, that’s what everyone must say when he comes for them.
He confirms I’m right on the money. “Save it, sweetheart. I’ve heard it all before. The jails are full of innocent people, or so they say.”
I open my mouth to protest, to explain, but he cuts me off with a wave of his hand. “You’ve got five minutes to pack your stuff. And no, I don’t want to hear your explanations or excuses. I’m just here to do my job.”
My mind races as I try to think of a way out of this situation. At this point, I’m only certain of one thing: I can’t let him take me in. If he does, now that I’ve moved the money, I’ll never be able to prove my innocence.
“Please, just give me a chance to explain.” I hate how much desperation has crept into my voice.
He sighs, looking at me with a mix of pity and annoyance. “Four minutes and thirty seconds.”
Okay, he’s made up his mind. Nothing I say is going to change that. I need to act as if I’m surrendering… for now.
I grab my backpack and start shoving my things inside while going over my options in my head. Those are limited. Go with him or run. The thing is, if I run, chances are he will get me again, and if he doesn’t, I’ll be a fugitive. I’ll have to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, always wondering when my past will catch up to me.
“Time’s up!” His voice derails my train of thought as I’m tying my sneakers. Thankfully, my toe’s decided to stop throbbing.
Diving into his piercing blue gaze, I snap back. “You’ve gotta let me go.”
He raises an eyebrow, his hand moving to rest on the gun at his hip. “That’s not really an option, my dear.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, swallowing hard. “But I don’t have a choice.”
For a second, he looks surprised.
That’s when I make a break for the door.