Chapter Six

Outlaw

As expected, Carmen gives us shit the whole way home.

“So, this is kind of gross. I wasn’t expecting you two to like… hook up so fast. I love it.”

“What?” I groan. She’s easily excitable, so if I stay calm, she’ll eventually meet my energy.

She leans forward and glares toward Faith. “If he ever gives you trouble, come to me. I’ll kick his butt back in shape.”

I sigh. “The doctor said I can drop you off at home, but do you feel like you can be alone right now?”

“I’m not alone. I have the puppy, remember?”

I forgot she adopted a golden retriever a few weeks ago. I think it’s too much with the amount of time she works, but I know she’s been wanting a dog for the company.

“Besides, you’re like three seconds from my house. I can press my alert button and you’ll be right there.” I installed that damn thing last year, but she never uses it.

“Why didn’t you press it earlier?”

“I was out. It’s no big deal. So, are you two like… spending the day together too?” Her tone is quick, and she’s changing the subject immediately. Something is up.

“Yeah, probably. We really like each other.” I try to keep my tone stoic.

“What do you really know about each other, though?” She leans back and twists her hair in small circles. The late night hospital visits always leave her acting silly. “What if Tilly is a serial killer who preys on unsuspecting men with her thick hips?”

I shake my head. “What are you talking about?” I bet Faith is thinking they gave her something to make her loopy, but this is her personality.

She glances toward Faith. “Or, what if Outlaw didn’t get his name because he’s a cookie jar bandit, and really he lures unsuspecting women into—”

“This whole thing was your idea, remember?”

She laughs and rolls sideways as I pull into the driveway. “I’m just messing with you guys. I have the sleepy time giggles. Sorry!”

I hop out and open the door so Carmen can climb down. “You need anything? You have your meds and—”

Her eyes roll and her tone shifts to a place I don’t usually see as she says, “I have my meds. I’m sorry I bugged you tonight. Can we talk for a second… privately?”

I grunt and glance toward Faith. “This shouldn’t take a minute.”

She nods and stares down at the little burner phone she has. This whole thing breaks my heart. A girl her age and her whole life taken out of the game because of one mistake. One really big, fucking mistake.

“What?” I shut the door and turn toward Carmen.

She lowers her head and whispers, “Do you know who that is?”

“What do you mean?”

“Faith. That woman is your bounty.” She speaks like she’s smarter than me.

My heart clenches tight. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Where did you see this?”

Carmen looks away. “Ruin. He had it up on his computer.”

My blood boils. “Why were you with Ruin? I told you to stay the fuck away from him.”

She rolls her eyes. “We’re friends.”

“He’s my friend, and he’s twenty years older than you. So, he’s not your friend.”

She crosses her arms across her chest. This is the downfall of Carmen. One second she’s sunshine and rainbows, the next she’s telling a fisherman how to fish. “Except he is. I’ve known him forever. Relax.”

I ball my fists and remind myself to unclench my jaw. “Whatever you saw on his computer is wrong. This girl isn’t a bounty.”

Carmen laughs. “Is this the first time you’ve ever lied to me, or have you done it before?”

I may have taught her how to read people a little too well.

I huff out a breath. “What are you telling me this for?”

“I don’t know who else has her picture, but if Ruin finds out you’re hiding her, he’s going to haul her in. You know how he is.”

I stare toward my little sister, lobbying over continuing my lie or letting her in. On one hand she’s a little crazy and off the cuff. On the other, she’s trustworthy. “Give me three days.”

“Three days to what? You can’t save her. She’s got too much going on. You’ll get dragged down with it. Look,” she stares up at me as though she can change my mind, “she’s my friend. I like her... a lot. That’s why I set you two up, but this is insane. There’s no escaping this. Her life is over. Don’t go down with her.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Don’t do this.” She folds her arms across her chest.

“I asked you a question. Do you trust me?”

She sighs and nods. “You know I do.”

“Okay then. Three days. Give me three days, and don’t say shit to Ruin. You do, and I’ll know right where it came from.”

“Why would I tell him? She’s your bounty.”

I shrug. “She’s more than a bounty.” The words come out before I’ve fully comprehended what they mean.

“Oh my god!” Carmen gasps. “You have actual feelings for her! You’re making a mistake. You’re too blinded by her to get your head out of your ass.”

“What’s going on with you and Ruin?” I know I’m shifting topics, but I can’t listen to the bullshit anymore.

“I told you for the hundredth time, we’re just friends.”

I’d be stupid to believe those two are just friends, but right now I have more pressing matters. I have three days to get Faith somewhere safe, because turning her in is no longer an option.