Big Game: Hunted Love #1 Read Free Page B

pull him over and harass him. Last week, on his way into town after most of six years away, they cuffed him and put him in the cruiser while a K9 went through his rental car. During their 'search', they dumped all his belongings on the side of the road, emptied the four bottles of water in his cooler and crushed up the snack foods he'd bought moments earlier at the gas station. All in the name of searching for illegal drugs, based on his past so-called bad behavior.
    If he could reach the highway any other way, he would have gladly avoided Ewingsville altogether, but unfortunately, that was not an option. At least not with the dually and trailer. The light at the entrance to town glowed red in the late evening gloom, and Jakob pushed back against the impulse to floor the truck and keep going. Instead, he got off the gas and let the truck start to slow itself well ahead of time.
    True to form, blue lights flashed in his driver's side mirror as a cruiser swung in behind him. They would just have to get him at the light because he sure as fuck was not going to swerve off the road pulling a loaded four horse rig. The last thing he needed was for the stock to get banged up because a small town rent a cop had a hate-on for him.
    The wait for the officer to approach his window felt endless, but finally he spotted the familiar bulk of Chief Bellamy swagger in his direction. Fucking wonderful. Getting pulled over wasn't bad enough, of course it had to be the head dick.
    Jakob made sure to keep his hands clearly on the steering wheel, ten and two. Last thing he needed was for anyone to mistakenly think he was going for a weapon. Especially in a truck full of them.
    Bellamy wheezed to a stop outside the open window. "Well, well, I heard you were back in town. Should have expected it, I guess, what with your uncle passing away like that. Where you headed?"
    The impulse to roll his eyes like a sullen teenager struck hard and fast, and Jakob barely managed to not give in. Nothing like prodding at a mean bull to get your ass kicked, and that would have been the same result. "Out of town to cover a hunt for Uncle Frank." The less information he gave the better.
    The old cop nodded, sharp gaze missing nothing about the rig. "Uh huh. That what they're calling it these days? Guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Always figured you for the kind to come in and clean out a dead man's house before the heirs can be contacted."
    Fury shot through Jakob. One of these days the old bastard would meet his match. Unfortunately, that would have to wait. "What are you talking about? I'm his only heir, and you know that. I'm also his executor, so it's my job to settle his estate."
    "Be that as it may, you can't just load up his property and hit the road before it's been settled in probate court. You'll have to head back to his place and unload."
    Jakob shook his head and tried really hard to stay quiet. "Look, Chief, I'm not trying to do anything wrong. But the fact is, my name is already on the titles and deeds. There's nothing to settle. I can show you the registration of this rig as proof. I also have the animals' vet clearances to travel. With my name listed as owner. Weapons? Look them up, registered in my name. So if you don't have anything else, I'll be on my way. There's a mountain lion killing horses over in Johnson County, and I've committed to hunting it." The light went green and Jakob put the truck in gear.
    Chief Bellamy glared but in the end, he tightened his mouth, took a step back and nodded. Jakob didn't wait for anything more. He lifted one hand in farewell and let the truck roll forward, gradually building speed.
    That was pure luck. If Bellamy had decided to search him, with six dogs, four horses, all their gear and two weeks' worth of supplies, not only would it have taken all night and stress the animals, but dumping his supplies would've cost a fortune. He wasn't the same kid they'd intimidated for so long. He'd given them a one-time