ONE

      Zack Owen had faced some pretty difficult people in his work as a bounty hunter, but no one was more challenging than his older sister when she got an idea lodged in her brain. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and rolled his eyes as Lily rattled on.

      “I mean, how am I supposed to learn what it’s like in the field if none of you will teach me how to be a bounty hunter?”

      He stared at her. “You’re here with me, aren’t you?” Although, now he questioned his decision to bring her along on this fugitive hunt.

      After a few moments, she crossed her arms. “Yes, but that’s only because you need backup and no one else could come.”

      His older brothers would kill him if anything happened to Lily. When they opened Second Chance Bail Bonds, they’d all agreed to keep her in the front office and away from the danger. And here he’d put her right in the middle of it.

      Bringing Lily along...what had he been thinking?

      “Do I get a gun?” Her eyes widened as a huge grin took over her face. It was kind of creepy.

      “No. We don’t need them. The woman isn’t dangerous.” He glanced down at the mug shot he’d printed off the computer before they left the office. After his brothers reminded him to stay put and out of trouble.

      Jamie Carter, arrested on assault charges for going after a sheriff, now wanted for skipping bail and kidnapping her niece. She was an attractive woman, with sparkling hazel eyes and long hair the color of chestnuts. Her pretty face made her look sweet and innocent.

      Her looks, though, didn’t matter. Long ago, Zack had learned to keep his personal feelings separate from his professional career. Too much pain was possible when the two mixed. He’d learned the hard way. In his early bounty hunting days, he’d foolishly opened his heart to a woman. Soon, his romance had affected his focus on the job and an innocent victim had paid the price. Zack refused to allow that to happen again.

      Besides, Ms. Carter had broken the law and Zack lived by it.

      “Remember to let me do the talking, Lil. I’ll call you over to search her when I’ve got her in custody.”

      “Okay, but should we have some kind of weapon or vest?” Lily’s hair fell over her shoulder as she glanced behind his seat. “She is a fugitive.”

      “The woman spends her time with a six-year-old. She’s not likely to have a weapon, if for no other reason than to protect the kid.”

      “You’re right.” Lily nodded as her fingers curled around the door handle. “Can we go now?”

      “Okay.” Before he’d finished the last syllable, Lil was already hopping out of the truck. “What have I done?” he whispered.

      After Zack locked the vehicle, he joined her on the sidewalk. He folded the mug shot and stuffed it in his pocket. Like an excited little kid, Lily asked questions, but she didn’t stop long enough for him to answer. Bringing his sister along really had been a bad decision.

      Cars rushed by in front of the strip of shops. The scent of newly broken earth from somewhere close by filled his nostrils. Humidity from Rhode Island’s annual three-day heat wave clung to his brow and his lip. The heat of the mid-July day suffocated him. A few young women came out of the internet café, giggling and heading their way. Zack tugged the picture of Jamie out of his pocket. “Excuse me, ladies.” He made sure his Fugitive Recovery Agent badge was visible. “Have you seen this woman?”

      All three of them nodded while one answered, “Yeah, I saw her in here a while ago. I’m not sure if she’s still inside.”

      A jolt of adrenaline rushed through him. “Thank you.” His plan had been to check each business and gather as much information as he could about the woman’s possible visits to the small town of Trinity. Now, even if Carter wasn’t here, he had confirmation that he hunted in the right direction. As the women continued on their way, Zack turned to Lily.

      “All right.” He pressed his hand on her shoulder. “Here’s the plan. You go around to the back door of the café in case she’s in here and tries to escape when I walk through the front door.”

      Lily nodded. “Got it.” She fiddled with her bracelet, the one she’d inherited from Mom. “How do I stop her?”

      “Hopefully I can talk her into surrendering before you have to do anything.” Then he’d only need Lily to pat the woman down. As a courtesy, he and his brothers always had their female partner search the women for weapons. “Go on.”

      Lily pointed to his hand. “Can I take the picture? I meant to print a copy for myself at the office but I was so excited I forgot.”

      He handed it off and watched his sister jog around the corner of the building. Of course, there was no guarantee Ms. Carter was still in here. But sticking his sister in the back, out of the way, was a good decision.

      When he reached the windows of the internet café, he pulled the door open and stepped inside. The whoosh of air cooled his damp skin. He stayed at the front of the room and scanned the place: several rows of computers in front of him, a set of copiers near a checkout counter on his left and a section of the room dedicated to a small coffee shop on his right. Fingers tapped against keys. Conversations buzzed around the room. Zack set his fists on his hips. He didn’t need the picture he’d given to Lily to know if the woman was in here. He’d studied the attractive face long enough.

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