Rising Bounty by KD Jones Page A

bringing us.”
    “No problem.” Mrs. Flann blushed when she caught sight of Abe in his kilt.
    “Afternoon, lass.” Abe winked at Mrs. Flann.
    “Wow.” Mrs. Flann was rendered speechless.
    If there hadn’t been two creepy guys parked not far away, watching them, she would tease the married woman. She didn’t have time for that. She needed to get Cici to safety. “Thanks again.”
    She slammed the door shut and took Abe’s hand. He was carrying an excited Cici in his other arm.
    “What do we do?” She could feel hairs on the back of her neck rising.
    He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Let’s go inside.”
    “Abe, I learned to write my name,” Cici told him excitedly.
    “Ye did? Ye’re going to have to show me, sunshine.” He opened the door and had Roxanne go inside first. As he closed the door, he turned to look back down the street.
    By the frown on his face, she knew the van was still parked there. Fear renewed inside her. What were they going to do?
    Jagger approached them. “Daniela’s in my office and she brought some cupcakes.”
    “Cupcakes? I love cupcakes!” Cici jumped up and down.
    “I’ll take you to my office while Abe and your mother talk for a few minutes.” Jagger took Cici’s hand and led her to an office where a pretty brunette with a large pregnant belly was waiting. They went inside and closed the door.
    She turned to look at Abe, who was talking to someone on his phone. She hadn’t heard the phone ring so he must have called someone. She listened to his side of the conversation. “What are they doing, Isaac? Just one man? Has the van come back yet? Keep a watch on it and run the plates. Thanks.”
    “What’s happening?”
    “A man with a leather jacket left the passenger side of the van and began walking around the area across the street. The driver has moved the van. Isaac believes he is circling the block.”
    Roxanne’s heart sank. “So they are following us.”
    “Yeah, they’re probably waiting to grab one or both of you. We can’t call the authority on them because—”
    “The authority would arrest me instead. What am I going to do?” Her voice cracked.
    He took her into his arms and rubbed her back gently. “I’m taking ye and Cici to my place, I have a cabin located in the hills with very limited access. It’s kind of off the grid and no one but my friends know where it’s at.”
    “My mother…she’s all alone.”
    “When ye texted me I sent Vic and Lexi to get your mother. They are probably already at my place waiting for us.”
    “How are we going to leave with these guys following us?” She tried not to shake, but it was hard when fear seemed to be taking over all of her senses.
    “We have a back exit we can take that leads us through some alleys and we’ll come out three blocks away. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let anything happen to ye or Cici.”
    “I don’t know what to say. You have been so wonderful. I hate that I am bringing such chaos into your life.”
    He gently tipped her chin up so that her eyes met his. “Ye have nothing to be sorry for. I want to help you.”
    “Why? Why get involved with me and all my baggage?”
    “Ye’re brave and strong. Ye remind me of my grandmother who had to make hard decisions in order to give me the best life possible. Ye’re just trying to do that for Cici. I admire ye and I think ye’re an amazing woman.”
    He was saying such wonderful things, and it was making her feel better. For the first time, she didn’t feel like she was by herself anymore.
    “How can I thank you for all that you are doing for us?”
    “Ye don’t have to thank me. Just let me help ye.”
    She nodded her head, her eyes trailing to his lips. It was not the right time or place to notice how totally kissable his lips were. She had to fight herself not to get on her tiptoes to lean up and kiss him.
    His phone beeped. He looked down at the text message. “Isaac says that the van came back and is turning around