Princess Hunter: A Princess Hunter Novel, #1

By Juanita D. Houston

Work and law school are the only things on Ella Weaver's mind these days. When she's not in class or studying, she takes down those who skip their court date. Ella is a successful bounty hunter who works for the family's business, Royal Court Bail Bonds.
She's tough and fearless with a spotless record for takedowns and bounties brought in…that is until a series of mishaps leads her to him.
Jasper Morton worked a job at the local college when he's mistaken for an FTA  from a Royal Court Bail Bonds trainee. Normally, he would be pissed at the mistake, but the gorgeous brunette who intervenes, has him thinking all kinds of inappropriate ideas about the curvy Princess Hunter.
It becomes a cat and mouse game between them, starting with a quick tryst in a library closet, then a hot weekend which ends with an impressive rescue of his friend. Late-night visits, hot kisses, and passion leave both wanting more of each other. But they're just having fun.
Or are they?
Meanwhile, Nolan Brantley returns to the small town of King's Gambit, Arkansas, aiming for justice against the man who killed his father in a late-night robbery. He's working as a bounty hunter as cover when the mark's son drops right into his lap and into the crosshairs of his biggest rival, the boss's daughter.
They both want the man; she wants him in her bed, he wants him to pay for his father's sins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Juanita D. Houston
• Release date: Feb 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393077329

Book preview

One

So, what’s the plan? Ella Weaver asked as she climbed out of her brother’s Charger. She slung the backpack over her shoulder as her younger brother Cody pulled a photo of a man out of the folder. He had been waiting for them in front of the library.

We’re looking for Jimmy Birch, he’s a two-time petty thief. He never makes his hearing date, so we have to hunt him down. Luckily, he also rarely leaves the area. Though he was the youngest of the three Weaver kids, he was the tallest at six foot five, only beating his older brother by an inch.

We’re looking for a petty thief? One of the new guys asked.

How much is the bounty?

That doesn’t concern you, Ella told him. This is Cody’s bounty. She frowned at her brothers. Why isn’t this Dalton’s case? This is the same guy Dalton graduated with, right?

I beat him in rock, paper, scissors. Cody grinned at her as their older sibling groaned. Seriously though, he had the file last time and because of Birch he ended up with a broken wrist.

Are we going to stand out here and chit chat or go after this guy? The newbie snapped. He’d been introduced to the group at the office as Nolan Brantley.

Hold your horses, you need to study the photo, so you know who you’re looking for. Besides, you’re here to watch for the guy, nothing more. Dalton Weaver said as he leaned against his car.

Take one of these and put it in your ear. You’ll be given instructions as necessary and remember everybody can hear you. So be careful what you say. Brandon told them, holding a case with five small devices inside.

Cody pulled out the map of the campus. Listen up folks, I’m putting Ella and Alisha inside the library to watch for him. Brandon, you are going to be over by the university center. He pointed at an area on the far side of the build labeled library. Brantley, you are here at the tables near the food court. Dalton, you’re by the fountain. You should be able to see the girls, and the entrance. I’ll be near the back door but out of sight. Dad will be in the van monitoring everything.

Why are the girls the only ones who get to be inside? Nolan asked as the owner’s daughter knelt by her backpack on the ground.

Ella has to study anyway, so she can do that while she blends in. Alisha will be there helping to watch for Birch and to grab Ella’s stuff if she has to go after the perp. Cody explained. My takedown, my rules. When you get trained and qualified to do this job, you can call the shots.

That’s providing he’s ever put in charge of anything.

Ella… Dalton said, his tone chastising. It earned him an eye roll.

What? He can’t seem to take orders very well.

Nolan scowled at the girl with black hair. So, she’s not a bonds agent?

No, she’s a volunteer. She agreed to help us. Ella said putting in one of the comms, then handed the box to the other woman. Stop worrying, she’s more qualified than you at the moment.

This is in direct violation of the law. The man said.

No, it’s not. Alisha said with a shrug. "I’m not working as an agent, just a lookout and assistant.

But they could get into trouble if you get hurt.

How would she get hurt? Dalton growled as he pushed off his car. You planning on doing something to her?

Dalton honey, it’s okay. He’s new and doesn’t know how we work. Alisha got between the two men. I can take care of myself against him.

I don’t think she should be here. Nolan said.

Ella tapped the man on the shoulder but stood her ground as he whirled on her. She eyed the man up and down. He looks like he stepped out of a prep school catalog, she thought as she arched a brow at him. "Let me explain something to you. You are not in charge of this operation, Cody is. Who works these jobs is not your decision. If you open your mouth again, I’m going to shove my fist in it. Now do what you’re told or leave. It’s that simple."

You’re not the boss.

She leaned in close, her voice lowered. "No, I’m not, but I’m the boss’s daughter and I have six years’ experience as a bail bondsman and an additional five years working in the office of the company. So shut the fuck up and do only what you are told. Look at the photo and take your position. She turned to leave then looked back at him, And don’t make me shoot you."

You don’t have a gun.

Yeah, I do, and I’m an excellent shot. She picked up the backpack and slung it over her shoulder. Come on Alisha, we need to be inside before someone spots us associating with this bunch of misfits. We don’t need the bad vibes they put off.

Love you too, Princess. Dalton called as the girls began walking across the quad.

Ella turned and walked backwards, flipping off her brother as the others hurried to their positions. They were on her turf, the University of Arkansas at Castle Rock, which gave her the upper hand since she was a student here.

Come on El, stop tormenting your brother. Alisha said, laughing as she opened the outer door of the library.

You take the fun out of everything. She stuck her tongue out at the other girl as they entered the building. Time to study. I’ve got finals next week. She bumped into a wall of muscle masquerading as a man who stood suddenly. I’m sorry, I should’ve been watching where I was going. She said with a shiver when he grasped her waist to steady her. She leaned her head back to stare into his grey green eyes and smiled as thoughts she shouldn’t be having flitted through her brain.

Let me guess, Princess, you were distracted? His voice was deep and sexy as hell.

Not yet but…

Excuse her, she’s easily distracted from studying. Alisha grasped the other girl’s arm as she pulled her back from him. She shoved her friend through the propped open door.

Bitch, Ella said then waved at him over her shoulder. Bye distraction. She called out.

Bye Princess. The man called as the entered the stacks.

Nolan followed the two women as they crossed the quad just outside the university library. He snarled at the backs of the two women as they turned to enter the building.

Brantley, stop. Where are you going? Cody yelled.

You said get to our spots. He called back as he stopped and turned. A white work truck with a magnetic sign on the side distracted him from his task. Morton Security and Locksmiths, with the phone number for the company printed beneath the business name. However, it was the name at the bottom of the sign that had his attention, Jasper Morton, Jr. Owner. It couldn’t be. He muttered under his breath. He scanned the area. Where are you?

Brantley, stop standing there like an idiot and get to your post. Robert yelled in the man’s ear.

Nolan crossed the open quad as he checked the area in search of his mark. He hadn’t expected it to be this easy to find Jasper Senior’s kid, especially since he hadn’t been able to find the old man. All he’d been told is the man who shot his father was serving a twenty-five-year sentence for the death his partner, Nolan’s father, during a late-night robbery of a local jewelry store. He’d heard the exchange with a man at the front of the library just as Cody had called his name, so he hadn’t seen who they were talking to. He spotted the two women at tables near the window.

Jase Morton tossed his screwdriver onto the table after he removed the lock mechanism from the inside door to the stacks. He thought about the woman who’d bumped into him earlier. She was cute and a brunette. She’d flipped someone off outside, he hadn’t seen who, but he had heard the nickname which had earned the hand signal. Her smile had brightened his night even though her friend had pushed her through the library door. He hoped the girl with her was right about her being a student. The black-haired woman had said she was easily distracted from studying, maybe he would see her again while he was working this job.

Ella reached up and removed the comm as her friend followed suit. The guy at the door was hot. Did you see how tight that t shirt was?

You need to study, not make googly eyes at the men in here. Alisha glanced out the window. Oh great, dumbass is watching us.

He’s someone I prefer to ignore, thank you very much. She grabbed her phone as it buzzed on the desk and read the text from her father. Put the comm back in, we’ve been busted. Ella stuck the small device back into her ear. We’re here.

What the hell are you two doing? Shouldn’t you be reading? Dalton asked. Back at ya little sister. He said when she flipped him off for the second time that night.

I have to go get my book, smartass. She stood and glanced out at the fountain area where she knew her big brother was sitting. She smiled. Try not to miss me too much bro. She glanced at her friend, I’ll be right back. Ella walked over to the circulation desk. Mrs. Berry, I need the book on family law you messaged me about this morning.

Ella, it’s so good to see you again. The librarian said as she smiled at the man who was passing by the desk while she grabbed the book from underneath.

The young bounty hunter raised her brows at the woman then glanced over her shoulder to see who the older woman was smiling at. She smiled as she recognized the man she’d bumped into earlier. He nodded at them. Wow, who is he?

Ella Celeste! Get back to your seat. Her father yelled in her ear.

Sorry, gotta go. She shrugged at the librarian and glanced back at the man who’d disappeared into the back hallway. She accepted the book and hurried back to the table. I’m back. Happy? She kicked off her sandals and tucked her leg under her and unloaded her backpack. Alisha was sitting at the next table, by the window Are you sure he was spotted near here? I mean can Birch even read? She grinned at the other woman who was also Dalton’s girlfriend who sat at the next table over.

Yeah, he can read, or at least, I think he can. Dalton said with a chuckle.

If you say so. Ella snorted, checking the front of the library. Maybe he reads comic books like Cody. She and Alisha had agreed to help her brother inside while the guys were positioned around the area known as the quad. It was in the middle of the campus and surrounded by the university center, the library and several of the food vendors. Alisha had agreed to hang out so she could grab Ella’s books if she had to go after the perp. They grinned at each other without saying anything. They had made a bet at the house about who would catch the man and it had become an ongoing joke.

What are you two smiling about? Dalton asked in her ear.

Nothing, it’s an inside joke. The young Bondsman flipped through the open book in front of her, but her mind wasn’t on studying. She had a test in three days, and she was nowhere near ready for even one of her five final exams. But instead of studying, her mind was on the man in the lobby of the building. He was definitely hot, and she was becoming quite bothered by it, in a good way. She raised her head, pretending to stretch as she scanned the area. Where is this jackass? she muttered. I haven’t got all night.

Patience my dear sister, he’ll be here. Dalton said in her ear. The tip was good.

Famous last words dude, I do have stuff to do.

Gotta paint your nails? Cody snorted, finally piping in on the conversation.

Ouch. Her older brother said laughing.

Would y’all stop the chatter? Brantley, the newbie snapped. We have to catch this guy. He was pacing trying to figure out how to get inside the library. He’d finally spotted his target near the front door when the man had returned from the main room.

Calm down Brantley. Dalton said. You’re just helping us watch for the man. It’s not like you’re going to get any of the money for this."

You mean I’m not getting paid? Nolan growled.

You’ll get paid for assisting, but not what you’re thinking.

Hey jackass, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Ella said with a yawn. Besides this isn’t even your capture, so sit back, take notes and it’ll be over soon.

Darlin’ you’re saying it wrong. It goes like this… ‘if you can’t hunt with the big dogs, stay on the porch’. Her youngest brother Cody snarked.

You’re right, and obviously he can’t. Alisha snarked.

At least I’m doing my job instead of reading a damn book. Nolan growled at her.

At least I can read books without pictures in them. Ella retorted.

Good one. Someone sounds petulant. Alisha said, her sarcasm was not missed on the others.

Why are you even here? Nolan’s voice raised an octave.

Shut up, all of you. Robert Weaver bellowed loud enough to make them wince. Brantley consider this part of your training. I’m the boss so I say who participates, not you. If you can’t take it, feel free to leave. Otherwise stop your whining. Ella, do you see the guy?

No, sir. She sat up straight, scanning the area outside the front window. Brantley, where are you?

Missing me, Princess? The new guy taunted.

Don’t call me that and you wish. I know where my brother told you to be and I’m not seeing your ugly mug.

Brantley where’d you go? Dalton demanded, scanning the area near the tables.

Relax, have to take a piss. I’ll be right back.

At least take your comm out so we don’t have to listen to it. Robert said.

Nolan pulled the communication device out of his ear as he rounded the building. He’d tried to get