The building I work in isn’t huge, but it’s nice. There are five offices, one big reception area, a conference room and a lunchroom. Don has the biggest of the five offices, and Vance, Julio and I have one each. We use the last one for storage, filing, and things like that. The building itself is fairly modern, after being recently re-furbished. Now it has dark grey walls and beautiful black tiling throughout. All the offices have been updated and I got a fancy new computer along with it. Score.
I push into the conference room right on time, and see Don, Vance and Julio sitting around the small, square table. I glare at Julio as I go past and he sneers at me, flashing perfect – damn him – white teeth. His dark hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail at the base of his neck and he’s wearing an impeccable suit. Julio is good at his job, simply because you don’t expect him. He’s always so neat, so tidy and so unlike a “typical” Bounty Hunter.
Not that there’s a particular type, but if you’ve ever watched television, they’re often portrayed as scary and mean. Julio is anything but. He’s the last person you’d expect to crash into your world and tackle you onto the ground. In other words, he doesn’t look like a badass mother. Vance and I are totally badass mothers. Well, Vance is. I pretend to be, because, like Julio, I’m not what anyone expects. It can be an advantage, but also a disadvantage.
It’s a disadvantage when the person I’m bringing in decides to break down into fits of laughter over the fact that I’m a girl. Yes, that happens. A lot. I quickly correct them, usually with a foot to the ribs. I might not look it, but I’m totally endeavoring to become the ultimate badass mother.
“Morning,” I mutter.
“Late night?” Don asks.
I shrug, flopping down into the chair next to Vance – then I carefully balance my coffee in my lap. He reaches across, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close where he presses a kiss to the side of my temple. The other guys in the office are used to this kind of behavior, now. So am I, if I’m being honest. Vance is affectionate, and over five years we have had the chance to grow close. This is just how he is with me. He’s never made a move, or overstepped his mark.
I know Vance has some sort of feeling for me. I suspect it’s romantic, but I can’t be sure because he’s never admitted that. I just know there are times I catch him looking at me with a longing that makes me uneasy. I adore Vance, but in the big brother kind of way. It’s always been like that. He’s always been a friend, someone I can confide in and that guy who teases me and is allowed to get away with it.
Most women, however, wouldn’t hesitate to snap him up. He’s a handsome man. He has this sandy blonde hair that flows around his shoulders and the brightest, most genuine blue eyes I’ve ever seen. His skin is flawless olive and he’s tall and lean. He looks like he belongs on a surfboard, riding the waves. Not to mention he has a killer smile that usually makes women swoon before he has even introduced himself.
“We got a rather large case in last night,” Don begins, getting right to the point.
“How big are we talking?” Julio asks before I can.
He always gets the big cases, well, he and Vance. I get the mediocre ones. Figures.
“We’re talking thirty thousand to bring this guy in.”
My eyes widen. Thirty thousand dollars? The most I’ve ever gotten is around seven thousand. Thirty is a big deal. Thirty would make the rest of my year extremely comfortable.
“What has he done?” I breathe.
“Skipped bail,” Don continues. “He is standing trial for assault with a deadly weapon and he’s also the main suspect for murder.”
Yeesh. This dude is nasty.
“I’m free,” Julio says. “I’ll get started on it right away.”
I scowl at him. I hate how he just assumes the job is his.
“Actually,” Don begins, and then turns to me. “I was going to offer this one to Grace.”
To me? What? I mean, I know Vance said if I wanted it to get in here, but I figured it was a medium case, not something massive like this. Don never offers me the big ones, ever. Why the hell would he change his mind now?
“This is a prank, right?” I stammer.
“No, Grace. You made a valid point last night. You’ve been here five years, you’ve shown your worth and we hold you back. I’m giving you the chance to show us what you’re made of.”
My chance.
Oh God, my chance.
I’ve been waiting five years for a decent case, something big, something substantial. My heart pounds and I feel Vance squeeze my shoulder. I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I’m overwhelmed; finally, they’re taking me seriously. This is my chance to prove to Don that I’m worth equally as much as Vance and Julio.
“Don,” I breathe.
Don puts up a hand, his eyes soft. “You deserve this, Gracie. I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner.”
Shit, I need to pull myself together. I close my eyes, take a few steadying breaths and compose myself. While I’m doing this, Julio begins his usual protest.