Page 29 of Burn Bag (Owens Protective Services #31)

As we drove to the “drop zone,” as Bradley called it, I cooled my heels in the back, trying not to let our fight get to me.

This was normal, right? Fighting was part of any relationship.

Granted, most people didn’t fight within the first few days of knowing each other, but we were on a learning curve.

“All we’re doing is facilitating the drop. We have nothing to do with the actual exchange,” Eli said, making it clear no one was to get involved with the deal.

“Roger that,” Bradley answered.

I rolled my eyes, mouthing Roger that just because I was pissed at him. I wasn’t even sure why. It wasn’t like I actually thought N’Sync was the best band ever or that I wanted to decorate the house yellow and orange. But the audacity of him being so demanding really got to me.

We pulled to a stop and Bradley turned to me, waiting for me to look at him. “Stay here. There’s nothing you need to do.”

“Can I get out and stretch? Or is that asking too much?”

Yes, my attitude was shitty. Yes, I was doing it just to piss him off. Just hours ago, I was terrified for him, worried that my cats had destroyed his tiny penis. Now, I hoped one of the cats bit it off.

“Yes, you can get out, but stick close to the vehicle.”

I was about to mock him, but decided against it. Maybe I just needed some coffee or a danish. Of course, then I might get fat and he would divorce me.

As I got out, the guys started unloading the crates from the back of the vehicle. The poor cats were starting to pace the cages, eager to get out and roam free. I felt so bad for them and desperately hoped they were going to a loving home.

“Hey, guys,” I smiled, bending down to talk to them and hopefully keep them calm. “You’re going to be so happy in your new home. I’m sure you’ll have lots of room to roam free and catch mice.”

The little guy that I’d made friends with purred as he brushed himself against the cage.

“They’re here,” Eli announced as other vehicles pulled in.

I tore myself away from the cage, worried I wouldn’t be able to allow the transfer if I stayed by his side. I was growing attached to the cat and I’d only just met him. He was just so cute.

Both parties got out of their vehicles and came over, examining the cats. Nerves fluttered in my stomach as I watched the buyers study them like prized horses instead of adorable animals.

“They’ll do.”

“Good. However, there’s been a change in price. I’m now asking $125,000 a piece,” the seller announced.

I sucked in a breath at the astronomical price. Why had it gone up?

“That’s not what we agreed upon,” the buyer scowled.

“Yes, but I had to pay for special transport for the animals.”

“You’re still making a hefty profit.”

I watched them argue back and forth, and considered that I could solve this pretty easily. “Why don’t you just show him the documentation from where you purchased them?”

Both parties turned to me and Bradley stepped in front of me, cutting me off from their view.

“Ignore her. She’s not part of this.”

“No, she’s right,” the buyer said. “If they’re really worth so much, you won’t mind showing me the original purchase agreement.”

“I didn’t bring it with me.”

I stepped out from behind Bradley and walked over to the buyer. “Honestly, without the documentation, there’s no guarantee these aren’t Savannah cats, which are worth at most $25,000 a piece. You would be overpaying by a hundred thousand dollars for each.”

“What is she talking about?” the buyer asked.

“Daphne,” Bradley muttered, tugging me back to him. “This isn’t part of our job. Keep your mouth shut.”

“Why? So he can scam this man out of money? Technically, it’s hard to prove these cats are any different without genetic testing. I looked into it. So, if he doesn’t have the paperwork, why should this man pay above what the agreed price was?”

“This has nothing to do with us,” Bradley hissed.

“She’s right. Produce the paperwork or I’m not paying a dime over twenty-five grand. ”

Grinning, I was rather pleased with myself. And they say honesty isn’t the best policy. Seriously, it sure seemed like what everyone here needed was a large dose of honesty.

“Look,” the seller stepped forward, now fuming. “You wanted the best. You said you needed the best fighters, and now you’re trying to back out?”

“Fighters?” I gasped. I spun to face the buyer. “You’re going to use them to fight?”

Bradley tugged me back, but I jerked out of his grasp as Eli and Red stepped in to diffuse the situation.

“How could you do that to these animals? They’re not fighters! They’re just sweet cats!”

“Daphne!”

But I refused to listen to Bradley. This was not okay, and there was no way I was going to let them buy these cats. “I’ll pay twenty-five thousand for them.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Bradley spat.

I turned to face him, the tears already filling my eyes. “You can’t let him buy them for this. It’s not right.”

“It’s not, but I’m not paying that much money for cats!”

“Then I’ll buy them!”

“You will not! You don’t have the money.”

I did. I had plenty of money and I would pay whatever it took to save these animals. I’d have to do some fancy lying, but I could make it happen.

“Thirty thousand!” I shouted.

“Listen here!” the buyer shouted. “We had a deal!”

“I want the agreed amount or you aren’t getting any of them!” the seller retorted.

“Forty thousand!” I upped the bid. I was going to lose them. I knew it.

“Are you out of your mind! Stop bidding,” Bradley snarled. “This isn’t an auction!”

The seller stalked up to the buyer and got in his face. “We had an agreement. ”

“Before I knew you were hiding things from me!” He spat in the man’s face, and I gasped, surprised at the hateful gesture.

“It didn’t need to come to this,” the man snarled before reaching behind his back.

Eli flung himself at the man and Bradley tackled me to the ground as Red went after the buyer.

I had no idea what was happening as Bradley hauled me to my feet and dragged me to the vehicle while I screamed for the cats.

“Those are my cats!” the seller yelled as Bradley stuffed me into the back seat.

He pointed his finger at me, his anger hanging on by a thread. “Stay.”

He slammed the door, stalking away from the vehicle. Instantly, I pressed my face to the glass, watching the cats in their cages. I couldn’t let this happen. Neither of those men should have those animals. Who would allow cats to fight? It was just sick.

The buyer made a dash for the cats, and I turned to watch out the back window, desperate to see what would happen to my babies. And that’s when I saw it. A whole cache of weapons just waiting to be used.

Not that I knew how to fire a gun or even had any interest in doing it, but those cats needed someone to defend them, and all Bradley and his men were doing was trying to diffuse the situation.

Biting my lip, I tried to hold back. Bradley would not be happy with me if I did this. On the other hand, I wouldn’t be happy with myself if I just stood by and watched it all happen.

Decision made, I snatched a rather large weapon and flung the door open, stepping out of the vehicle in what I hoped looked like a brilliant Hollywood action scene.

Red did a double-take as he saw me sling the gun toward the buyer, holding onto the handle and the long, pointy part of the weapon. A Hollywood action star, I did not sound like.

“Oh, fuck.”

“What?” Bradley asked, spinning around to find me stalking toward the cages. “Goddamnit, Daphne!”

“Get away from them now!” I shouted at the buyer. I jabbed the gun in his direction and scowled. “I swear to God, I will pump you full of lead if you do not step away from those animals!”

“You’re insane!” the man shouted, stumbling backward.

I could hear Bradley pleading with me to put down the gun, and I saw Red holding back the seller. I was very possibly making this situation worse, but I didn’t have a choice.

This was the only way out.