“I didn’t think Worth could even find a car that fast. I figured it’d give us at least a week. He must have jumped on the opportunity for King to buy him something.”
“He told me he’d had his eye on a Mustang Cobra and suddenly got it for a low price.” With complete loathing, Hunter said, “He’s car crazy, so yeah, King probably knew that if he manufactured the deal, Worth wouldn’t hesitate.”
Jodi kept thinking of how Worth risked his own life by getting involved—and about the chance Remmy had taken by explaining this all to her. She really, really disliked that others might be hurt...because of a stupid plot against her.
“Think whatever you want about me,” Remmy said, bringing the subject back around. “By tomorrow morning, I’ll be out of Triple Creek, and I suggest you do the same.”
“Leave my house?” Jodi asked, incredulous that he’d even suggest such a thing. Then with more feeling, “Run?”
Hunter went to stand behind her chair, one hand on her shoulder.
Funny that having any other guy at her back would make her antsy, but with Hunter, she relaxed, appreciating his show of support as she said to Remmy, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” Holding up his hands in surrender, Remmy slowly stood. “I’ve done what I could, so I’ll be on my way.”
“You’re not skipping out tonight,” Hunter stated.
“Yeah, I am.”
“No,” Hunter countered, “you’re not. You’re going to see King as usual, and you’ll report that Jodi slept with you.”
Together, Remmy and Jodi said, “What the hell?”
Hunter didn’t budge. “You’ll brag to King about how you rocked her world.”
When Jodi started to surge from the seat, he held her in place. Now that pissed her off.
Remmy grinned. “Not a stretch—but is there a reason I’m boasting?”
Lightly rubbing her shoulders as if to soothe her, Hunter said, “You’ll tell King that between the sex and the amount of money he’s offering her for the job, she’s decided to do it.”
Stumped, Remmy asked, “Why?”
As Hunter’s reasoning dawned on Jodi, she grinned with full acceptance. “Your car idea didn’t work, since Worth isn’t reliable, but this will buy us time to figure out what he’s hiding in my house.” And it would help her decide how to handle it. Now that she understood, she liked this plan. “If you bolt, King would probably decide to kill me and be done with it.”
Both Remmy and Hunter went rigid with that statement.
“No,” Remmy said, and it was clear the idea bothered him.
Not as much as it bothered Hunter, though, who said through his teeth, “I would never let that happen.”
“I wouldn’t either.” She patted Hunter’s hand on her shoulder to reassure him. “If King thinks I’ll be coming to him, that he’ll eventually have his way, he’s more likely to be patient, right?”
Thoughtfully, Remmy nodded. “Maybe. But if you take too long, I’ll end up going down with the ship.” His shoulders tightened. “I don’t want you hurt, Jodi, I swear it, but I don’t particularly want to face King’s wrath either.”
“Did you kill anyone?” Hunter asked.
Remmy narrowed his eyes.
“Anyone innocent?” Jodi clarified.
For the longest time, Remmy remained stiff and silent, before giving a low curse. “Look, I’m not a random murderer, okay? Have I stood back and seen shit happen? Yes. To fuckers who deserved it. Have I taken part on occasion? Also yes. To fuckers who deserved it.”
Jodi noted that he seemed really hung up on the distinction. She got that, since the distinction mattered to her, too.
“Someone like you? A woman, or a kid? Hell no.” He stared at Hunter. “Even someone like him? No. King’s business is one thing. His sick sport is another.”
“Somehow my house is part of his business,” Jodi pointed out.
“But you’re not.”
“No, she’s not,” Hunter reasoned. “So if you want to help her, you have to stick around a little longer.”
That only seemed to infuriate Remmy more. “By helping her, I could get myself killed.”
“I understand the risk.” Jodi scrutinized him, her gaze unflinching when he tried to stare her down. “I don’t think you’re completely lost, Remmy.”
“Don’t use that soft voice on me now, woman. You’ve made your preferences known.”
Hunter started to move, and Jodi quickly tightened her hand over his. She understood Remmy, and because of that, she needed to give him the same opportunity that the McKenzies had given to her.
When Hunter subsided, she let out a breath. “Over the last few years, I’ve found that it’s sometimes worth it to risk yourself for a different way of life. You’re not cruel, and you’re not completely without a moral compass.”
As if to deny that, Remmy made a rude sound.
“You’re a good-looking guy, and you seem smart enough.”
“Such lavish praise,” he mocked with a half laugh, while avoiding her gaze.
“I realized I had to take big chances, so that I could make big changes.” She curled her fingers with Hunter’s. “I’m glad I did. I hope you come to the same conclusion.”
“Fuck,” he muttered, turning away. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“Is that an agreement?” Jodi asked with a grin.
He glanced back at her with annoyance. “On one condition.”
“You don’t get conditions,” Hunter said.
At almost the same time, Remmy said, “You can’t stay here alone.”
Immediately, Hunter retracted his statement. “I agree.”
Jodi had to laugh at them both. It occurred to her that throughout her short adulthood, she’d encountered some of the most evil men alive...but she’d also met the very best the world had to offer. First the McKenzie men, then Hunter, and now she had to admit that Remmy wasn’t too bad either. He still wasn’t for her—only Hunter could take that dubious credit—but she appreciated him. It had taken guts, and yes, a deep sense of decency, for him to not only warn her but to want to protect her.
Standing, she handed Hunter the Glock, then went to Remmy and offered her hand.
Nonplussed, he gave her a long look, then a reluctant smile, and enfolded her hand in both of his. “You’re one of a kind, Jodi Bentley. Don’t change.” After a brisk but gentle squeeze, he released her and headed for the front door. “I have your business number. Will you answer if I call?”