Rescued By the Mothman (Monster Bounty Hunters #1)

Chapter 9

Sable

I found the cheapest hotel in town and tried not to think about when the room had been last cleaned, as I climbed into bed that night. The smell was atrocious, and the blanket felt crispy. Despite the grime, I couldn’t stop my cock from screaming at me for attention. Sitting with Clarissa so close to me at her house had been almost overwhelming. I’d spent years working on my impulsivity. Learning to control myself and not act rashly. But all I wanted to do was rush back and climb on top of her in that cozy bed. I could imagine how her curves would jiggle as I thrust into her.

I picked up my phone. I’d found out her number before heading to town. One hand holding my cock, I tapped out a message and hit send before I could think better of it.

“This is Sable. Everything ok your end?”

I dropped my phone on the pillow next to me. What was I doing? I wasn’t a teenager anymore. When had I even last texted a woman? I’d already called Lyla and Vedrac to give them updates on how it was going. So I didn’t need my phone right here in bed with me. No one from the office was going to call me this late. Right as I’d decided to put it across the room on the dresser, it dinged. My stomach flipped with excitement. This was fucking ridiculous.

“Yeah. No sign of John, if that’s what you mean. How did you get my number?”

“Bounty hunters need to be good at finding things out. I mean how are you doing too? This has got to be hard for you.”

Something else was hard for her, but that seemed inappropriate to write. I looked at my phone intently. The little dots that showed she was typing appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again before stopping for a full minute. Perhaps she was sick of speaking to me already. Then the dots appeared once more.

“It is hard. Although I don’t know why you would care. Do you even care, or are you just trying to keep me on your side to get to my brother?”

I didn’t know why I cared, either. Why, after years of being perfectly happy by myself, I suddenly craved any interaction with her. I slowly and softly worked my cock.

“I care.”

Gods, I cared. She replied quickly this time.

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

A lot? My head was spinning. She cared that I cared? My heart thudded in my chest, and I tightened the grip on my cock. Gods, I was losing my mind.

“Is your uncle staying with you to keep you safe?”

I wanted her safe. If she didn’t have anyone there, should I go over?

“No, but a few of his wolves are patrolling the area. I’m safe.”

Fuck. Well, the bubble of that passing hope popped. Even if it was a very unlikely hope. Just me and my hand tonight.

“Good, I’m glad,” I replied.

It was mostly true. Her safety was more important than my cock, as much as it might claim otherwise.

“Would you come over and watch me if I were all alone?”

I froze for a moment. Was she flirting with me? I read the message again and again. My hand moved furiously. Tighter and tighter.

“Yes. In a heartbeat. Anything you need, anytime, just ask. I’ll be there.”

I meant it. Fuck, I meant it.

“That makes me feel safer. Goodnight, Sable.”

“Goodnight.”

I made her feel safe. My hand moved faster. I imagined her on top of me. Underneath me. All over me. Wet and needy. Juices dripping onto me. Safe. I wondered if she was touching herself and thinking of me? I came with a loud grunt and her name falling off my lips. It felt like a prayer, a desperate wish. Like something so beautiful I could never deserve it, and yet somehow, I had hope.

The next morning, I showered and sent Clarissa a message to see what her plans were for the day. I would not stalk her or make excuses to see her. As tempting as that was. Delaney’s next move would be to leave town if he had any sense, and she had wolves looking out for her. I plonked myself into a booth in the most central diner in town. There were a few looks of unease, but nothing that screamed monster hating terrorist. Regardless, I placed my bail bondsman badge on the strap of my chest holster, where it could be clearly seen. It would generate some interest, but hopefully not fear.

A friendly waitress took my order and poured me some coffee. She had a southern drawl I wasn’t used to hearing this far north. The coffee was bitter in a cheap way, but it would wake me up. I’d been awake half the night thinking about Clarissa, and the half I’d been asleep I’d been dreaming of her. Despite that, I absolutely wasn’t going to go out of my way to see her today. So why had the diner directly opposite the library she worked at seemed the most logical choice for breakfast? Central meant more people. Maybe one of them had seen Delaney or knew something.

I flashed his picture at the waitress as she served me a monster sized plate of breakfast.

“Oh, yeah. Seen that guy. Came in for coffee, hat pulled down and collar up like he thought that would hide his face.”

She laughed, and I gave her a flirty laugh and smile back. Fuck, why did that feel wrong?

“When did you see him, darlin’?”

My shoulders tensed up. My usual flirty routine felt wildly inappropriate today.

“A couple of days ago, sweetheart. Seemed real twitchy.”

“Did he have a phone with him?”

“Yeah. Whoever he was calling wasn’t picking up, though, and he was mad about it. Said he thought his friends were coming for him, though. To pick him up.”

This changed the game.

“Thank you so much.”

“A pleasure, sweetheart.”

Delaney wouldn’t be fleeing town if he thought his clueless little monster hating pals were coming here. He must have gotten word from them. It seemed unlikely they would come all this way just to leave again without causing trouble. Delaney had grudges, and he wasn’t above hurting those he didn’t like. I wondered if that extended to the family he’d fallen out with. I didn’t like the way the pieces of this puzzle were coming together.

I ate quickly, shooting off texts to Gariss to check in and update him. He must have been in the office with the others, as within moments I got one from Kiy.

“Got into trouble or made it complicated yet?”

“Not at all.”

A complete lie. This couldn’t get any more complicated for me. I was getting emotionally entangled with the target’s sister. I looked out the window, downing coffee. As soon as I saw her, I finished up and paid my bill. I was going to speak to Clarissa today after all.