Beautiful Bounty (The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros. Book 1)

by Nightingale, MJ

  Putting the keys back in the ignition, she started the car, and pulled back onto the road repeating the words, don’t cry, don’t cry, not yet. It became her mantra. The hotel was just a few miles away. Please be there, Nikko, she whispered. She hoped she could find her solace in him.

  But even that was way too much to count on. When the world decided to put Ronnie Sears on its shit list, it held nothing back. As Ronnie pulled into the parking lot, she had her second, no, third shock of the day. Walking out of the hotel was Nikko, and by his side was the fucking barbecue bimbo, Linda. In a blind rage, and not knowing if up was down, Ronnie hit the gas, and sped out of the parking lot tires spinning. She had no idea where she was going. She had no idea what the hell she was going to do. Her world was crumbling down around her, and she had no one to turn to, nowhere to go. As she drove down the highway, the tears coming, the only thing she knew was she had to get the hell out of here.

  Ronnie was just driving. She was too upset to think straight. First this mess with Gary. Then her mom, then Nikko. What more was going to be dumped on her before she would break?

  She just drove. She didn’t know for how long. Time just passed and when she realized she was near Mavericks, she stopped. She needed to talk to someone. Anyone. And even though she had just seen her hours earlier, Margaret would have to do. She was her only other friend in this area. And, she also knew she would be on her side.

  Pulling into the shopping complex on the corner of Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Blvd., Lou quickly got out of her mother’s car, grabbed her purse, and locked the doors.

  She was relieved to see Margaret wasn’t busy when she opened the front door to the small salon. There was only one woman there getting her hair colored by another stylist. Those two, and the girl who worked the counter were the only other people in the place. Brad had the evening off.

  “Long time no see,” Margaret teased when she saw her friend walk in. But as soon as she saw Ronnie’s face, saw the fear and pain there, she uttered, “Oh my God, what happened in the last two hours? You look a wreck. Come,” she ordered, leading Ronnie to the back room, where Margaret had a break room for her employees that also served as storage. “Sit.”

  Ronnie complied. She felt lost. The tears just came. Margaret was quick to sit next to her to provide her comfort. She reached for her hand and ordered her to spill. Ronnie did. It all came rushing out.

  Margaret’s grasp on her hand got tighter when Ronnie told her about her fears for her mother. Margaret’s look got angry when Ronnie explained where she went after leaving her mom’s and finding Nikko walking barbecue bimbo, Linda, out of the hotel.

  “What am I going to do?” Ronnie flatly asked. Her tears had stopped. She was still distraught about her mother, but she was also so extremely disappointed in Nikko. He promised, well somewhat, that he would be additional support for her through this ordeal. He’d also implied he would be monogamous, hadn’t he? Her mind couldn’t wrap around it all.

  “First of all, lose the loser, Ronnie. You’re better than that. He doesn’t deserve you. Obviously last summer the little parking lot scene was probably what it was. Him leaving the hotel with this Linda chick is proof of that. Once a player, always a player. The guy is no good. He can talk a good game, charm the pants off of you, but once out of sight, out of mind.” Ronnie nodded numbly. She should have trusted her instincts. Nikko, with his looks and charm, could have any girl he wanted, and apparently did. She didn’t want to be anyone’s fool. First Gary, and now him. What the hell had she been thinking to get involved with such a ladies man even if she knew it was temporary? He’d made her think he’d be different with her. So stupid. Was she that desperate to put her faith in him? She was just so stupid when it came to men. Obviously, her two times at bat was telling. Did she need to be clobbered over the head or something? Did the universe have to hit her over the head with a hammer?

  “You’re right,” Ronnie agreed. “I really feel like such an idiot. I hate being played. I just thought he’d . . .” her words trailed and she let the rest go unsaid.

  But Margaret finished her thought. “You thought he’d be different with you. You were attracted to him. The guy is hot. I’ll give you that. So, you had a few hook ups. But get out now. Don’t let him drop the hammer, girlfriend. Beat him to the punch. Put your focus on your case, and your mom, and kick this guy to the curb.”

  Her mom! Her case. That’s what mattered now. That’s where her head should have been all along. She felt the coils of strength beginning to return. She needed to focus on herself. She vowed she wasn’t going to let anyone else use her—ever again. If her mom taught her anything, it was never be anyone’s doormat. She wasn’t about to be Nikko’s. Hell no! The coils burst into small licks of flame. Ronnie glanced at the clock. It was just five. The flames grew higher. She did want to get home. But there was one thing she wanted to do before she left. A plan was starting to form.

  “Margaret?” she asked. Her eyes narrowed with determination.

  Margaret saw the change come over her. “What do you need, honey?” Margaret was relieved to see a bit of the Ronnie she knew coming back. There was a tiny spark in those baby browns. Ronnie just needed a push, and then the tough spunky girl she befriended a few years ago would emerge. “What’s on your mind? Whatever you need,” she reiterated her earlier promise from the mall squeezing her friend’s hand one more time.

  Smiling up at her very talented friend, her eyes showed the determination that was so much a part of her character once more. “My hair.” Margaret smiled knowingly. Nodded, arched her eyebrow, and got up.

  “Ab-so-lute-ly!” She enunciated each syllable. “Nothing like a new hairstyle to light a fire under someone.” And Margaret knew exactly what she was going to do. This girl needed to be reminded each time she looked in the mirror if anyone messed with her, they would be burned.

  Ronnie followed Margaret to her station inside the salon prepared to let her have her way with her. She had a few ideas, but she’d leave the creative parts to the professional.

  ***

  Margaret was just finishing up with an amazing new hairstyle for her, and it was close to seven when Ronnie heard her phone notifications indicate she had a message. Swiping at the screen to activate her phone, she saw two missed texts. One was from Nikko, and the other was from her mom. And as hard a she tried not to, she glanced at Nikko’s first wondering what the ass hat wanted. He had some nerve. Afternoon delight with Linda and now he was looking for his nightly booty call. Smirking, she tapped his name and read his message.

  Nikko: We’re still on for tonight, right? What time do you want me to come get you, babe? :)

  Never. Asshole!

  Reading over her shoulder, Margaret just made a disgusted sound in the back of her throat and set to work cleaning up her station giving Ronnie a little privacy. She quickly tapped out her response. She had been formulating a plan, but hadn’t shared the details with Margaret.

  Ronnie: Not tonight. Something came up.

  She had been tempted to say she had a headache, but did not want to show any signs of sarcasm, or get his suspicious nature on alert. And the truth was she needed to be with her mom tonight. Not that she was going to avoid Nikko forever, she just needed to think of how she was going to handle that situation. And when. The man was definitely not off the hook for his actions, and he was going to get a piece of her mind.

  She was going to switch over to read her mom’s message, but before she could even look, Nikko texted back.

  Nikko: What’s up? :(

  Your cock’s up a brunette, fucker. That’s what’s up! Asshole.

  Ronnie: My mom is sick. I’ll ttyl.

  Nikko: K. Sorry. Tomorrow then? <3

  Tomorrow? Definitely. She wasn’t slinking away like last summer. No way. She just had to get all the pieces together.

  Ronnie: Sure. Definitely. I’ll text you details later tonight. Need to take care of mom right now. She is not well at all.

 
; Honesty. She’d give him a bit of the truth. She’d let the fireworks happen later. And not the kind of fireworks he would be expecting to get either.

  Nikko: Anything I can do? I’ll miss you tonight.

  Sure you will. I bet.

  Ronnie: No. Thanks. Ttyl.

  Nikko: Sleep tight.

  Shaking her head in disgust, she didn’t bother to respond. She backed her texts up to see the one from her mom.

  Lou: Hey hon. Don’t want to rush you, but would like to talk to you tonight. Have some things to talk about, and your lawyer called. Can you come home before I go to bed around eleven?

  She answered her mom right away.

  Ronnie: I’m on my way now actually. See you soon. Love you.

  Lou: Oh good. Got some news, good and bad, but don’t rush. Nothing too serious.

  Just like her mom, to worry about everyone but herself. Nothing too serious. Yeah right. At least her lawyer must have good news then, unlike what she thought earlier because she knew her mom’s wasn’t going to be. Even though her heart sank at the news her mom was about to tell her, she reminded herself she needed to be strong now. For her, and for Jay. There had to be some way to fight whatever she had. Determined to do whatever it took to help her mom, and beat this rap, she steeled herself for what was to come. She was ready to put up a good fight. Margaret returned and was curling a few pieces more of her hair, some final touch ups and a bit of hair spray to hold her new look all together.

  “All done,” Margaret announced, turning her around so Ronnie could finally see her reflection in the elegant mirrors Margaret recently purchased for the shop.

  Ronnie gasped at the difference this new hair style, cut and color, made. “Fantastic,” she announced, a slow smile spreading across her face. “I love it.” Gone were the dirty blond waves, and pink streak. The platinum blond shaggy cut swung around her shoulders, the tips ending with a halo of red and orange. It looked like her hair was on fire. She loved it. It was Marilyn Monroe meets Katniss Everdeen. It was exactly what she needed. Something to remind her of her inner fire. Margaret was talented.

  “It looks hot! The platinum suits you, and so does the fire.”

  Ronnie admired the look with a few more glances in the mirror tilting her head to see it at different angles. As it swung around her shoulders it looked like her hair was ablaze. But, she didn’t have much time. She had plans to make, and her mom to see and console.

  Ronnie hugged her friend good bye, tipped her generously even when Margaret tried to protest. She was ready to face her mom. Nikko could wait. Let him stew awhile, she mused. But he’d face his comeuppance soon. The prick. He’d realize the ice princess could burn too.

  ***

  Ronnie pulled into her driveway. Jay was home; she braced herself and took several calming breaths before she got out of the car. Seeing her fall apart was the last thing her mom needed.

  Turning the handle, she slowly pushed open the door. Her mom and Jay were in the kitchen putting away the dishes they apparently just washed. Jay was laughing about something. She found that odd. Just three hours ago, the bear of a man had been crying like a tortured animal. Her mom, still looked frail, but she was smiling from ear to ear. Ronnie cleared her throat to announce her arrival, and they both turned to her.

  Lou’s eyes widened at her daughter. Her hair! It looked magnificent. The steaks were gone; the blonde shimmered like the palest of gold, and was tipped with red, and orange. “Wow! I didn’t know you were getting your hair done. It looks great. I love it.”

  “Thanks,” Ronnie returned the smile. “I just felt like I needed to do something different, and then when the trial comes up, I can always just get the tips trimmed.”

  “Good idea,” her mom nodded. “Although I really like the tips. My baby girl is on fire.” Lou laughed and Jay added his own laughter after delivering a wolfish whistle.

  Their good humor was beginning to really confuse Ronnie. So, she set her shopping bags down by the door, and approached them. But, she would let her mom take the lead, tell her in her own time. Her mind was trying to sort out this change in mood. Probably, putting on a happy face for her daughter. But she wanted the truth, all of it. Good and bad. She needed to know what they were dealing with so she could help her mom.

  “Yeah, I like it too,” she added. “Nikko wasn’t in, so I got my hair done. Visited with Margaret.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. I like her. She does good work. Really different, but stunning. I should go see her.”

  “You can’t,” Jay burst out. ““I heard the chemicals...”

  Lou silenced him with a look.

  Ronnie needed to know what was going on. “Why can’t she?” she asked. She hoped it would encourage the two to reveal their secret.

  Lou and Jay exchanged a look. Then a small smile. He patted and rubbed her back affectionately, and nodded.

  Lou looked to Ronnie. “Sit down, baby. We’ve got some news.”

  “Yes, um . . . you mentioned some good news and bad news in your text,” Ronnie prompted when her mom stalled. Jay and Louisa exchanged another secretive look.

  Ronnie looked at them both curiously, and went into the kitchen and sat at the counter. “So, what’s up?” She waited.

  Lou looked to Jay one more time. “You tell her, Jay,” she encouraged. Ronnie was so confused. The two were now grinning like the cat that caught the canary.

  “You sure?” he asked. “You want me to tell her?”

  “Yes, tell her.” Lou laughed as he turned to face Ronnie.

  Ronnie looked to him expectantly.

  “Well,” he started. “Your mom . . .”

  “And you,” Lou added when he stopped.

  He gave her the biggest smile.

  “Your mom and I,” he emphasized, “well, we are going to have a baby.”

  A baby!!! Ronnie practically fell out of her chair. Her head snapped back and forth several times. Her eyes grew round. Four months? Her mother had said four months. She had assumed that it meant four months to live, but now it dawned on her. Her mother had meant she was four months pregnant.

  “A . . . a . . . baby?” she croaked.

  “Yep, I know. I was as shocked as you,” Jay stated, seeing the worry on her face. “But, are you okay with this?”

  She saw the worry there. For her? “Uh, yeah!” Relief swept through her. “A brother or sister. Holy hell! I’m more than okay with that. Holy hell!” She got off her seat and rushed around the counter pulling her mom into her arms, the mother she thought she might lose.

  Her mom was mumbling something. She made herself focus on what she was saying. “Yeah, I’m already four months along. I have suspected it for a while, I took a test, and the doctor confirmed it today. But, I had no idea I was that far along.”

  “Oh my God!” Ronnie shrieked pulling her mom back and looking at her. “You’re not even showing.”

  “I carried well with you too. I will be showing soon enough. My fifth month with you I gained like two pounds a week.” She patted her belly which was only slightly rounded.

  “Oh my God!” she repeated. “This is fantastic. This is great news. It’s perfect and I couldn’t be happier for you both,” she cried into her mom’s shoulder both relief and joy flooding her. She pulled back and gazed into her mom’s eyes seeing the happiness there. Jay had lost his first child so tragically, and now he and her mom would have a child together. Her mom was thirty-eight, Jay thirty-two. They were still young and they deserved this.

  “We are happy, too,” Lou announced. The trio untangled themselves from each other. “That’s why I have been so sick. But, I don’t want you to worry about this. I’ll love you always. No baby replaces my love for you.”

  “M-o-m,” Ronnie shook her head. “That thought never crossed my mind.”

  She wasn’t twelve. She was thrilled, this family needed good news right now more than anything. Her day had been so dark, and now this. She guessed it was true, every cloud did have its silver lin
ing. But then another thought struck her. What was the bad news her mother alluded to? She didn’t want to voice that concern just yet. She didn’t want to ruin this moment. She wanted to embrace it and hang onto it for just a little bit. It was their time. But, the worry was there. The bad news must be from her lawyer then. She shook her head to clear her thoughts when her mom started to speak again.

  “I know. The timing isn’t great. We hadn’t planned it. But, now that this baby is on the way, we have a lot to do. We just don’t want you to think,” she cleared her throat before she continued, “the baby will get in the way of us supporting you in this situation.” When Ronnie was about to interrupt, Lou raised her voice and added, “Don’t worry about this, you hear me. Focus on your case. Understand. I’ll take good care of myself, too.”

  “I’ll make sure of that,” Jay added.

  “Will do,” she saluted the duo. She had thought she was walking into yet another nightmare. It was about time this family had some good news. “I’ll focus on my case, but,” she stressed, “I want to help with the baby stuff.”

  “We will have the baby in our room for the first few months, darling. By then, hopefully, you’ll be cleared and then we’ll worry about everything else. Jay is planning on adding a room onto the house,” she beamed up at her very handy husband.

  “Well, I can help with that,” Ronnie nodded. “I’m pretty handy with a hammer, too.”

  They all laughed.

  “It’s about time we had some great news.” Ronnie voiced her earlier thoughts. “Wait until you tell Ana and Monica. Monica is having twins, Jessica is three. You’ll all be raising your babies together.”

  “Um,” Jay interrupted. Lou looked at him, and her smile lessened.

  “What?” Ronnie asked.

  Lou looked to her. “We did get a bit of bad news today.” And there it was. Gone in a moment. Ronnie waited, nodded at her mom for her to go ahead. “Mr. Stimson called.”

  “Okay,” she encouraged her mom to go on.