Cage (Montana Bounty Hunters: Dead Horse, MT Book 1) Read online

“I fired it last week. It’s good to around fifty feet.”

  “I’m closer than that. Should be fine then.”

  Cage blew out a breath that filled his cheeks. “We wait until they move farther apart. Hunker down for now.”

  He heard her expel a loud huffing breath and smiled. Well, he was learning more about his “partner”. She wasn’t very patient.

  Half an hour later, she whispered, “The freaking mosquitoes are eating me alive.”

  “Must taste good,” he drawled. “I’m not having that problem.”

  He went to a knee because his legs were cramping after crouching so long. He watched as Bobby reeled in his line then recast, letting the fly sink beneath the surface of the water. He raised his pole to make the fly jump, but frowned after a moment. “Think it’s stuck,” he said loud enough Cage could hear the words clearly.

  “Well, cut it and attach another fly.”

  “I like that fly,” Bobby said. “It’s my lucky fly.” He handed his pole sideways to his friend. “Here, hold this.” Then he stood and started stripping.

  “What the fuck?” Marti said in his ear.

  “Get ready, I think he’s planning on getting in the water.”

  Sure enough, Bobby stripped completely, tossing his clothing over the cooler, and then walked into the water, swearing as he did. “Fuck, it’s cold!”

  His friend laughed. “Told you, dumbass. Shoulda cut that line.”

  Bobby went deeper until the water was waist high. “My balls are shrinkin’.”

  His friend laughed harder and slapped his knee. “Wish I had a camera.”

  “Asshole!” Bobby said, raising a hand to give his friend the finger while he stayed facing the water, his other hand gliding on the line.

  “Move in, now,” Cage said, rising and holding out his Glock, the magazine snug against his free hand.

  Neither man noticed his advance. One was laughing too hard, and the other was bending down, fishing under the water for his fancy fly.

  When he was twenty feet away, Cage called out, “Buddy, I have no issue with you. So, don’t move a muscle.”

  His friend’s face swung toward him, his eyes wide. “Bobby!”

  Bobby glanced behind him then straightened. His shaggy brown eyebrows lowered over her dark eyes.

  “We’re Fugitive Recovery Agents,” Cage said. “I’ll need you both on the ground,” he said, indicating with his weapon where he wanted them. “Do what I say, and no one gets hurt.”

  Bobby’s buddy dropped the pole and lay on the ground, his legs and arms spread.

  Bobby let out an impressive string of curse words, then glanced around. “Don’t see no one else.”

  Behind him, Cage heard footsteps drawing nearer. “We’ve got more men near the road,” Marti said, the shotgun raised and the stock snug against her shoulder. “Now, come out of the water.

  Bobby’s hands went to his crotch beneath the water, and he shook his head. “I’m nekkid.”

  “I’ve seen dicks before,” Marti said.

  Again, he shook his head. “You gotta turn around.”

  “It’s not happening,” she said, her voice lowering.

  Damn, the girl sounded mean, which made Cage smile. “How’re your balls feeling now?” he called out.

  “It’s not right,” Bobby said. “She needs to turn around. I can’t come out when she’s looking.”

  “Bobby,” his friend called out, “she’s a bounty hunter. She doesn’t give a shit that your dick’s a tiny little thing.”

  Cage pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh. So, that was the problem. “Tell you what, Bobby, since you’re embarrassed, I’ll have my partner lead your friend away. Then you’ll come out of the water and surrender yourself to me. I’ll let you get dressed before you head toward the road.”

  Bobby’s face screwed up in a look of pure torture. “Just hurry. I can’t feel my dick anymore.”

  “That’s what all the girls say,” his friend said, laughing again on the ground.

  “Asshole.”

  Cage pointed his weapon between Bobby and his friend. “Marti, lay your weapon on the ground beside me, then get him to his feet, cuff him, and pat him down. Sir, after we get Bobby in our vehicle, we’ll take off the cuffs, and you can be on your way. We’re sorry for your inconvenience.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” his friend said, his shoulders still shaking. “I’m gonna have quite a story to tell.”

  “Hurry,” Bobby said, jumping in the water while still holding his junk.

  After Marti laid her weapon on the ground, she grinned. “He doesn’t know how long I was watching,” she whispered.

  After they dropped Bobby in lockup and filled out the paperwork that would ensure they got paid, they drove back to Dead Horse. It was nearing evening. The trees on either side of the road made it darker than the hour called for, but Cage was relieved to be heading back. He didn’t like spending any nights away from Elaine.

  “You date that woman who ran the underground fight club, right?” Marti asked.

  He guessed turnabout was only fair. “Elaine Morgan.”

  “She has the same last name as you.”

  “We were married.”

  “Kinda cozy with your ex, huh?”

  He wasn’t sure that was any of her business, but he didn’t really mind answering. “She’s staying with me.”

  “And after the trial?”

  “That’s kind of up in the air. I’m hoping we get married soon.”

  “And if she has to do some time?”

  “Then we’ll wait.”

  She was silent for a long time. “That’s…kind of nice. You being willing to wait. Or hell, you being willing to marry a felon.”

  That last bit hit him wrong. “Elaine may have skirted on the edge of what’s legal, but she’s not a bad person. Many upstanding citizens like betting on fights. She provided a service. And I used to be in those illegal fights she organized.”

  “She tangled with that racist bastard, Whitcomb. Glad he’s finally in jail. Not that it will stop any of the groups he’s associated with from continuing to organize and being general assholes to folks up north.” Marti glanced his way. “From what I hear, she was damn lucky to have you and the Montana Bounty Hunters on her side.”

  “Her brother would likely had died if we hadn’t found him.”

  After a minute, she murmured, “So, you gonna ask me?”

  He blinked, not following the abrupt change of topic. “Ask you what?”

  “If you’ve decided I don’t suit, it’s no skin off my nose.”

  He nodded, understanding now. And he had made his decision the second she’d raised her head and told him she’d seen everything Bobby was trying so hard to hide. He’d laughed good and hard—and finally, he thought she’d let him see inside her. She was gruff and grumpy, but she was very capable. “Martika Mills, I’d like to offer you a position at the Dead Horse office of Montana Bounty Hunters. Will you accept?”

  “You’re not gonna invite those camera crews that follow the Bear Lodge hunters around, are you? I don’t think it’s dignified.”

  Cage snorted. “I have no plans to invite them to film a spin-off episode or series.” He waited a minute, before saying, “All the hunters I hire will go through some tactical training. You up for that?”

  Marti’s mouth pushed out. “I’d learn your hand signals?”

  “Yup.”

  “I kickbox.”

  “Good to know. We’ll be doing some hand-to-hand and special weapons training, too.”

  Her glance went out the window, again. “I’d be okay with all that.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  She took her time, her gaze moving forward to watch the road then sliding his way. “Sure.”

  Cage laughed. “Girl, you’re a hard ass. I like that.”

  Chapter 13

  About a week before her trial was scheduled to start, Elaine’s lawyer called to tell her to be in court
that afternoon to see the judge. Elaine was nervous, wondering what was happening now. Had the judge decided to vacate her bail bond?

  She’d been out that day, window-shopping for a wedding dress—something she certainly wasn’t going to buy anytime soon—but she’d needed something to fill the hours and help her concentrate on the future instead of all her present woes.

  Now, her stomach felt queasy and she felt like crying. Which pissed her off. “I’m not a fucking crybaby,” she whispered to herself. Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, she pulled her cellphone from her purse and called Cage.

  The call went straight to voice mail. Fuck, he was probably on the job and couldn’t be interrupted. Chewing on her bottom lip, she considered her options.

  Again, she lifted her phone and called Brent. And again, the call went straight to voice mail. She’d have to go to Bozeman alone. The Camry Cage had bought her would certainly make the trip, but if she was jailed, would it go into impound before he could retrieve it?

  With no other choice, she started the drive to Bozeman alone, praying as she went. She asked God for this to be a clerical thing. Maybe they needed her signature on something. She prayed that if the judge was reconsidering her bail, that he would take pity on her. She’d even manage a tear or two to gain his empathy. It wouldn’t be hard. Tears seemed to creep up on her at the weirdest times these days.

  By the time she arrived at the courthouse, she felt frazzled. She called her attorney to let him know she was there, and he told her which courtroom they would meet inside. After checking her hair and rubbing on a little lipstick, because Lacey was right about it lifting a woman’s confidence, she let herself out of the car and hurried up the courthouse steps.

  Inside, she found the courtroom. Her lawyer was holding open the door. His expression was hard to read, and she was afraid to ask him what was going on, because if it was bad news, she wanted to hear it at the last possible moment. A cowardly sentiment, she knew, but fuck, this was her life on the line. Her life with Cage, their future house, and their future kids were all on the line.

  Her eyes began to burn, and she knew she’d have no trouble at all producing tears. Dammit.

  Following the lawyer down the aisle, she nearly stumbled when she saw her brother and Cage seated at the defense attorney’s table. What the hell?

  Brent watched her coming and gave her a stilted smile. Her alarm grew.

  The lawyer waved her toward a chair positioned next to Cage and she slid into it, giving him a quick stare. His hand reached for hers, and he gave her a squeeze.

  A door opened behind the judge’s bench, and he walked out in his black robes. When he was seated, he glanced first to the prosecutor. “Are you in agreement with the defense attorney’s request?”

  The prosecutor looked bored. “We have no issue, given the fact the juvenile’s parents have withdrawn their complaint and won’t allow him to appear.”

  Elaine sat straighter. Did that mean…?

  Cage leaned close to her ear. “The family came into some unexpected scholarship money.”

  Her eyes widened as she gave him another look. His one-sided smile confirmed he was the one responsible for that bit of good fortune.

  The judge lifted his gavel. “The charge of battery of a minor is dismissed.” When he struck it against his desk, she jumped.

  Next, the judge’s gaze went to her attorney and Brent. “I’ll hear his plea first.”

  Brent pushed up from the table.

  Shocked again, Elaine reached out for his sleeve. “Brent?”

  He shook off her hand and looked toward the judge. “I plead guilty to illegal gambling…your honor…sir.”

  The judge sat back in his chair and frowned at both Brent and Elaine. “Some folks wonder what’s the harm in running an illegal fight club. I think the two of you have first-hand experience with what happens when things go horribly wrong.”

  Elaine nodded, praying with all her heart for the judge’s mercy and wondering where this was all going.

  “In light of the fact that your brother came forward to confess that he was the one who arranged for the minor to fight, I’m inclined to be lenient with you as well.” He lifted papers from his desk. “I have statements, attesting to your good character and asking for mercy from the court. I’m inclined to give it, seeing as you’re engaged to marry an American hero. Your husband and your future children shouldn’t have to bear the stain of your crime. I’ll dismiss the remaining charge against you, if you agree to do one thing…”

  Brent and Elaine left the courthouse with Cage. Walking toward her car, everything felt unreal. The sun was shining, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the blue Montana sky. And she was free.

  She didn’t know what to think of what had just happened in the judge’s private chambers.

  Her brother had been sentenced to seven years’ probation with the possibility of having the charge expunged at the end of that term—if he managed to “keep his nose clean.”

  Her “punishment” glinted in the sunlight from the thin gold band she now wore on her left hand.

  “I’m married? He really sentenced me to marriage?” she said, turning to Cage.

  Cage grinned. “That’s what he said. So, you know you can never divorce me.”

  “Yup,” Brent said with a laugh. “He said that, too.”

  She was so relieved she felt giddy. “I can’t believe it. It’s over. It’s really over.”

  “I beg to differ, babe,” Cage said. “We’ve just begun.”

  She glanced down at her hand again. “You knew about this…?” Well, obviously, he had, otherwise he wouldn’t have had the ring ready for the quick marriage ceremony the judge presided over in his chambers.

  “I can’t believe I was looking at wedding dresses this morning, and now, I’m married.” Yes, she was going in circles, but her mind was stuck in an endless loop. She wasn’t going back to jail. Her brother had gone to bat for her. So had Cage and Fetch, who seemed to hold remarkable sway. “How did Fetch do this?” she asked Cage.

  “He knows people,” he said, his hand closing around her wrist and pulling her to a halt. He turned her to face him then looped his arms around her back. “I couldn’t say anything. Fetch wasn’t a hundred percent sure it would happen, and we didn’t want to disappoint you.”

  She shook her head, and those pesky tears she’d been fighting all day trickled down both sides of her face. “Tell him I owe him.”

  Cage chuckled. “He said you can pay him back by decorating the office.”

  “I’m already on the hook to do that.”

  “Well, now he doesn’t have to feel guilty about not paying you for your services.”

  She smiled. Her chest felt nearly ready to burst because her heart was pounding so hard. Suddenly, her stomach roiled. “I feel nauseous.”

  Cage frowned. “You feeling sick? Is it nerves?”

  She shook her head. “I knew something was wrong when I kept feeling like I wanted to cry. It’s been happening for days. I never cry.”

  “Are you sick?”

  She shook her head again. “No, I’m happy, Cage. So happy.” She tilted back her head and realized that was a bad move, because her head reeled, and now darkness was closing in from the sides.

  Elaine refused to let Cage take her to the nearest emergency room. Instead, she asked for him to take her to a drug store. Once there, she leaned over to Brent and whispered in his ear.

  Her brother’s eyes widened, but he darted out the door before Cage could demand he tell him what she’d said.

  “Help me inside, I need to find a restroom.”

  “I think you need to remain seated.” Cage didn’t like how pale she looked or the fact that sweat had sprouted on her forehead. When he felt her forehead, she felt clammy.

  “I need to use the restroom,” she said, a frown drawing her eyebrows together.

  Despite his better judgment, he decided not to argue, but he held her arm as he escorted her
inside. Her brother was already walking away from the counter holding a brown paper bag, which he handed to his sister.

  Cage pressed his lips together and continued to the back of the store, following the sign to the restroom. When she disappeared inside, he tried to follow her, but Brent grabbed his arm. “She’s got this, bro.”

  “What the fuck’s wrong with her?” Cage said, barely resisting the urge to push the other man up against the wall. However, beating Elaine’s brother to a pulp to get him to talk didn’t seem like the best way to start his married life.

  Brent leaned against the wall and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I applied for a job,” Brent said.

  Cage blinked. “Doing what?” he asked, because he couldn’t imagine what Brent might be qualified to do.

  “Nadine talked to the owner of the diner. He said he’d start me as a busboy and dishwasher. He said he’d work with me on my schedule so I could go to school.”

  Cage stared at the man who’d coasted through life, who’d always been looked after by his father then his sister. “What are you planning to study?”

  Brent wrinkled his nose. “I’m not sure. I don’t know what I’m good at. Not yet.”

  His honest response impressed Cage. “Guess you’re going to need a place to live until you’re done with school.”

  Brent shook his head. “I’m not getting in your way. You and Elaine need a fresh start. No little brother issues.”

  Cage clapped his shoulder. “We’re looking for a big house. Maybe I can find something with a mother-in-law apartment.”

  “I’d pay rent.”

  “I was thinking just utilities.” Not that he’d need the money, but he didn’t want Brent starting over and not realizing what things really cost.

  Brent held out his hand. “Deal.”

  The bathroom door opened, and both of their heads turned toward Elaine whose cheeks were pink when she exited.

  Her gaze went to Brent, and she gave him a wink.

  Brent’s lips pressed into a straight line. “I’m heading back to the car.”

  Cage stared at Elaine. “Are you okay?”

  She walked closer, clutching the paper bag and settled her body against his.