Worth a shot.
Shee locked the apartment behind her and drove ten minutes to Fine Oaks Vineyard. Trying to look as cute and aimless as possible, she rolled up her shorts and tied the bottom of her shirt to reveal her midriff.
She’d be bait tonight, after all.
The sign on the door said the shop closed at six, but she found the entrance unlocked. Behind a large wooden counter, a middle-aged man busied himself wiping down a tasting station.
“We’re closed,” he said, glancing up from his work.
“Is Billy working tonight?” She wasn’t sure why she’d asked for Billy and not William. Just an instinct Scotty might alter the name. The town wasn’t so large someone might not recognize the name William Kay, and as a grown man going by Scotty, Billy wasn’t a stretch.
“Billy Kay or Billy Hightower?”
Shee fought to hide her excitement.
“Kay.”
The man jerked a thumb behind him. “He’s stocking. You can go back.”
She smiled and headed through swinging doors into a small warehouse.
A young man turned as she entered. A boy she’d seen in a dozen photos.
Hello, Scotty Carson.
Scotty did a double take before offering a guileless grin. He’d slipped into his nice guy persona as easily as donning a cap.
“Hello. Can I help you?” he asked, his gaze sweeping down to her toes and back up.
This might be easier than I thought.
He hadn’t wasted a moment telegraphing his interest. Scotty wasn’t a handsome guy—only his youth and exaggerated air of masculinity provided him appeal. A well-practiced sheepish smile leapt to hide the wolf inside. I’m safe, it said. I’m big and strong, but only here to protect you.
Shee smiled. “I was going to buy my Daddy some wine for his birthday, but I don’t know what to get. The man out front said you know a lot.”
She batted her eyes, feeling ridiculous.
Too much?
She didn’t think of herself as a bombshell, but she’d been watching men’s reactions to her raven hair, big green eyes and generous bosom for years. In civilian life, she was out of Scotty’s league. If she seemed too eager, he might get suspicious.
Scotty moved in as if she were magnetic. “He’s right. I know a lot.”
Scotty had no confidence issues.
“Aren’t I lucky I bumped into you?” Shee bit her bottom lip.
He held out a hand. “Shall we?”
She forced a giggle and placed her hand in his. His touch was revolting.
He led her to a long rack of red wines and motioned to a bottle.
“This is my favorite, though if you’re having steak you might want something a little more bold.”
“Ah… just want something nice.” She noticed somewhere along the way she’d picked up a southern accent.
Scotty slid a bottle from the rack. “This is a bargain for the money. Does nineteen dollars fit in your range?”
She grimaced. “Nineteen?”
He put a hand on her shoulder and leaned in until his lips nearly brushed her ear.
“Tell you what. I get off in ten minutes. Why don’t you wait outside and let me see if I can find you a real bargain?”
She struggled not to recoil. “Sure. Ah’ll wait for ya.”
With a final hair flip and a flirty smirk, Shee walked away shaking her tush as best she could until she was outside. There, she leaned against the wall of the building, fingering the pair of cuffs in her purse.
When can I slap them on? He was bigger than she’d imagined. His size and strength made his cowardly attacks on women even more despicable, and made his capture even more dicey. She hadn’t wanted to pepper-spray him in the store. The counterman might have come to his rescue and complicated everything.
Maybe I should call Dad—
Too late. Scotty appeared, a backpack over his shoulder. He looked around and then sidled up against her, his hip touching hers.
Guy’s about as subtle as a heart attack.
He unzipped the backpack to reveal two bottles inside. The way he glanced at the door to be sure no one was watching told her he hadn’t bought them.
At least he’s a thief, too.
“Two?” she asked.
He winked. “One for you and me.”
She opened her eyes wide to appear impressed and grateful, stalling as she tried to formulate a plan.
She couldn’t be alone with Scotty Carson. Alone was a rapist’s favorite place. If only Dad—
That was it.
Take him to Dad.
Mick was at the bar. Surely, she could talk Scotty to a bar?
“Aren’t you sweet?” she gushed. “But ah gotta stop at work real quick like. Can we stop at the Donkey Tonk?”
“That boot-scootin’ place? You work there?”
“Just started.”
He nodded. He seemed unsure—didn’t want to be seen with her. Smart. Always best to not strut around town with your potential rape victim.
She rushed to offer the urging he needed.
“My roommate’s out of town.” She blinked at him, again feeling like a cartoon seductress. “Ah just gotta make that stop for a sec.”
The confident grin returned to his face and he shrugged.
“Sure.”
With another forced grin she jogged to the Jeep, trying to bounce as much as possible. He got into an old pickup truck he must have bought for a song and followed her toward the Donkey Tonk. She checked the rearview often to be sure he didn’t peel away with a change of heart.
Shee’s nerves jangled as the bar’s neon donkey came into view.
Now, she just had to hope her charming father hadn’t sealed the deal too early.
She parked and approached Scotty’s truck as he pulled in beside her.
“Come inside with me?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I’ll wait.”
Damn.
She’d guessed right. He didn’t want to be seen with a potential victim.
She glanced at the
