The Bad Boys' Reluctant Woman(33)

“Yes, you’re not allowed to leave this town until I’m satisfied, Miss Howard.”

“I’m not a criminal.”

“I know, but you’re jumpy around the law. I don’t like that.”

She saw a wedding band on his finger as it glinted in from the light coming in through the window. “You’re married.”

“Yes.”

Zoe stared at the ring for a few moments wondering why she thought that was important.

Shaking her head, she walked off. Their conversation was done. Vicki was next to Steve filling the bar when she moved up to him.

She was about to talk to Steve as Tristan came up behind her. “Vicki, I need to talk to you.”

“I’m busy. It will have to wait until later.”

“Steve!”

“Go talk to the good Sheriff, Vicki.”

Zoe watched the two walk out of the bar leaving her alone with Steve.

“Steve, may I talk to you for a minute?”

“As long as it is only a minute.” He looked up from his paperwork to stare at her.

“I was wondering if I could keep my job ... indefinitely.”

“Is this about those three friends who own a house together? Jake, Brent, and Connor, part of the Bad Boys pact and whatnot.”

“Yes,” she said. “How did you know?”

“A little advice about towns—not many people get to keep secrets. Most of our skeletons are known by every member of the town.”

“Are you telling me there is no privacy here?” she asked.

“There is privacy, but in very rare circumstances.”

“Can I keep my job?”

Steve turned to her, his gaze going over the top of his glasses. “You still want to stay here even with people knowing your baggage?”

Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “I’d rather stay here than risk the wrong type of people knowing my baggage. Also, Jake told me to say, he’d owe you a favour.”

“Smart answer, and that sounds promising. If you want I can start paying your wages into the bank rather than by cheque?” he asked.

“That would be great.” They sorted out her information. Several minutes later Vicki walked in looking like she’d been crying.

Unsure what to do, Zoe helped restock the shelves and organise the delivery of the beer. Vicki stayed in Steve’s office sorting through his supplies.

At three in the afternoon, Steve pushed them out the door. “You’ll be working late tonight. Go and get some rest.”

“Would you like a ride into town?” Vicki asked.

“Yeah, sure.”





Chapter Thirteen





Connor was waiting for Tristan inside the office at the sheriff’s department. Connor knew he was at The Dugout, but Tristan was the only guy Connor could talk to in order for him to figure out his problem. He didn’t like not knowing what was going on inside his own head. Connor put his feet on top of the desk and leaned back closing his eyes.

Sleep had evaded him last night, and he was so fucking tired of the stress. Winning Zoe over had been a point in his favour. He no longer felt on the edge and like his whole world was about to crumble. At least he had control to a point.

“You do know I can arrest you for that?” Tristan said as he walked ‘round his desk. He used his baton to push Connor’s feet off the table.

“I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” He watched the older man pull a ring off his hand. Shaking his head, Connor sat up running his fingers through his hair.

“I don’t care about your sleep. I’ve got a lot on my plate, Connor. Say whatever you’ve got to say, and let me do my job.”

“Is there more to this Bill than meets the eye?” Connor asked.

Tristan sat down heavily in his chair. For a forty-five year old man, Tristan kept himself in shape. “A young boy was rushed to hospital last night of a suspected overdose. I’d say your suspicions on this Bill are straight up there. I don’t like it. A drug dealer in Law Castle. This is the type of shit that loses me this chair.”

“You like your shiny little life, huh, Tristan?”

“What I like is keeping this town clean. I don’t mind your little Bad Boys club or any of the other shit that brings tourists and money to this town. We bring them in; we keep our jobs, and everything works out fine.”

“Why do I feel a ‘but’ coming on?” Connor said.

“I don’t want the other crap that comes with it. The drugs and this guy are going to have to go.”

“I agree.”

Connor felt Tristan staring at him. “The bullshit aside, Connor, why are you here?”

His nerves were back in place. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have come. Thanks for the warning.”