Hardman

By Delilah Devlin

Former Navy SEAL, Pierce Hardman, the new guy at Montana Bounty Hunters in Dead Horse, MT, finds that riding with his partner and trainer, Marti Mills, has some perks. Marti’s unlike any woman he’s ever met, and she intrigues him from the start. However, her tough demeanor hides secrets she’d rather keep hidden. Marti’s dedication to her trade leads her to take some interesting risks that only fuel his interest and desire.

Marti’s new partner proves to be her undoing. Until Hardman, she’d never been tempted to cross certain lines. All her old tricks to deflect a man’s interest backfire on her, and soon she finds herself thinking about a life outside of “the hunt” with him.

Just when she’s ready to surrender her solitary life, one last job might cost her everything, even her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Delilah Devlin
• Release date: Feb 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005455385

Delilah Devlin

Always a risk taker, Delilah Devlin lived in the Saudi Peninsula during the Gulf War, thwarted an attempted abduction by white slave traders, and survived her children’s juvenile delinquency. In addition to Saudi Arabia, she has lived in Germany and Ireland, but calls Arkansas home for now.

Book preview

Chapter 1

His GPS is pinging just ahead, Martika Mills said, raising her gaze from her handheld tracking device to point ahead toward the bend in the river.

Pierce Hardman took his attention off scanning the banks and slowed their boat in the center of the shallow river. They’d need to gear up before approaching their target, Matthew Harper, who’d skipped his date with the judge the previous week. The once-convicted felon had been set to appear on charges stemming from a string of home burglaries. Just another dumbass who thought the rules didn’t apply to him and didn’t want to work for his money.

Finally, it’s cold as shit on this water, Preacher’s voice came over the comms. He was in the jon boat behind Hardman and Marti’s little two-seater sneak boat and was accompanied by Dagger and Lacey. They hadn’t really needed so many hunters for this takedown, but since healthy bounties had been a bit scarce the last few weeks, and everyone was bored, they’d decided to move on Harper together.

When they’d planned this river grab, they hadn’t taken into account maneuvering on the chilly water. They wore shorts with sweatshirts or hoodies on top. Nothing other than the thin padding atop Hardman’s aluminum seat kept his balls from freezing.

He twisted the handle on the outboard motor to put it into neutral, slowing the boat further. While the boat drifted, he and Marti removed their life vests and donned the gear they’d brought in a duffle—their Kevlar vests, their badges, and lastly, they strapped holstered weapons to their thighs.

We look ridiculous, Lacey said with a laugh. Who wears shorts and boat shoes to a takedown?

Marti rolled her eyes. Hardman smirked. Lacey could always be counted on for fashion commentary. The curvy blonde was the only hunter sporting pink and grey camouflaged attire.

Hardman, you got our new toy? Preacher asked.

Hardman bent to the duffle and removed the new Spiderman bolo gun, which he clipped to his vest. Got it.

Has he moved? Dagger asked.

Again, Marti bent to look at the tracker. Nope. He’s sitting still.

Hardman hoped that meant he was busy fishing.

Hope he didn’t ditch the ankle monitor, Marti mumbled. Or we rented these boats for nothing.

We ready? Dagger asked.

We’re a go, Hardman said and twisted the outboard motor’s handle again to move slowly toward the bend.

As they rounded the curve, they spotted a small boat beached against a steep bank, a rope tied around a fallen tree to keep it there, but no sign of Harper.

Hardman aimed the boat at the bank, gave the motor a bit of juice then set it into neutral. They drifted into the bank, and he jumped off the side into shallow water. You stay with the boat, he said to Marti. We don’t need it floating away.

Why do you get all the fun? she asked, her eyebrows lowering.

Because I was in the water first, he said, grinning.

Dagger slid his boat beside the sneaker boat and tossed his mooring line to Marti. Make sure it doesn’t go anywhere.

Marti’s glower darkened.

Hardman chuckled as he climbed the bank, glancing around to look for any signs of where their quarry might have gone.

He’s pinging from up there, Marti said in a hushed tone from below. When he glanced back, she was pointing toward the top of the steep bank. Maybe twenty feet in. She held up the tracker. Sure you don’t need me?

We’ll manage, he said. Just give us a shout if he moves.

Hardman reached for branches, knotty roots, and grass to pull himself up the bank.

Beside him, Dagger pushed on Lacey’s butt to get her up the side, and Preacher dug his toes into loose dirt to step his way up. Once they all stood on the top of the embankment, they spread out to commence their search. As well, they didn’t need to be bunched together since they didn’t know for sure whether Harper was armed. Not that his file indicated he was dangerous, but a cornered dog might bite.

Hardman studied the ground and brush around him, looking for tracks.

Got him, Dagger said quietly.

Hardman glanced his way. Dagger pointed to footprints and touched a broken branch. Signaling that he’d take point, he aimed a glare at Lacey, who frowned but let Hardman and Preacher trail behind him before falling in at the end of the line.

They went maybe fifteen feet into the brush when Dagger squatted and held up a closed fist. They all took a knee. Dagger pointed at his eyes then raised two fingers. Harper had company.

Then they heard noise up ahead. Soft groans, a thready moan. The distinctive slap of flesh on flesh. Matthew Harper was getting busy in the grass.

Dagger pointed to Preacher and then to his left.

Keeping low, Preacher moved quietly to the left of the couple.

Following Dagger’s hand signals, Hardman moved to the right. When he reached his position, he low-crawled through tall grass until he saw glimpses of pink flesh between the waving blades. A man’s ass was flexing, driving downward. Pale, plump legs encircled his hips.

By the speed of his movements, he was getting close.

Ready? Dagger whispered.

Ah, let him finish, Lacey said. It’ll be a long time before he gets to knock against someone with breasts again.

Marti snickered in his ear.

We even sure he’s our guy? Preacher grumbled.

Can’t tell. I’ve got the rear view, and his ankles are hidden in the grass, Hardman whispered, grimacing, because he really didn’t want to take a closer look.

I’m getting closer, Lacey said.

Stay the fuck where you are, Dagger bit out.

Oh. He’s got a shaved head, Lacey said.

Which could be a problem. Harper had had long, frizzy hair in his booking photo.

Gotta wait until they get up to ID him, Dagger said.

The couple on the ground rolled until the female sat atop the male. She was a well-rounded woman with large breasts and a generous behind.

She’s certainly energetic, Lacey said as the woman bounced over the man’s hips.

At last, the woman’s head fell back, and a series of Oh-oh-ohs echoed in the clearing.

The man gripped her hips and rutted upward before letting out a loud shout.

Satisfied, Lace? Dagger drawled.

Nope, but they sure are.

The hunters stood, drawing their weapons.

Fugitive Recovery Agents! Dagger shouted.

The couple froze. Then the man tossed the woman to the side and bolted up from the ground. Nude, he barreled past Lacey, knocking her to the ground, and headed straight toward the river.

Got a runner, Hardman said, following close on the man’s heels.

I’ll keep my eyes peeled, Marti said.

As his feet pounded the dirt, Hardman noted the black ankle monitor the naked man wore. It’s our guy.

I’m staying with the woman, Lacey said. I’ll help her find her clothes.

Hardman, get the lead out, Dagger bit out. Don’t let him get to that boat.

When Harper approached the edge of the bank, Hardman expected the man to slow down, but he didn’t. Hardman reached out, grabbing for his shoulder, but Harper leapt into the air then bumped on his naked ass down the side of the embankment.

He’s over the edge, Hardman said, skidding on his own backside over rocks and exposed roots.

I see him, Marti shouted.

Hardman heard a splash.

Marti, don’t let those boats get away, Dagger said. It’s my credit card on the deposit!

At the bottom of the embankment, Hardman pushed off the ground and ran behind Harper, who was nearing his beached skiff. Hardman would never catch the skip before he was inside it, so he unclipped the Spiderman bolo gun and aimed for the man’s thighs.

He struck Harper at the back of his knees just as he entered the water—and just as Marti jumped in front of him to prevent him getting into his boat.

The bolo deployed and wrapped around his knees. Harper fell forward—on top of Marti—and they both sank into the water.

Hardman rushed toward them and pulled on Harper’s shoulders.

Marti sat in the water and gulped in air with Harper still pinning her hips to the bottom of the river. You did this on purpose! she said, glaring at Hardman. Get him off me.

Sorry, ma’am, Matthew Harper said, sounding miserable. But water’s so cold I can’t get it up anyway.

Marti smacked his chest. No one better have a camera!

Too late, Dagger quipped.

Hardman glanced over his shoulders at Dagger who held out his iPhone. He was bent at the waist laughing.

Hardman wrapped an arm around Harper’s middle and lifted him off Marti who scooted backward then slowly stood. She looked down at her wet clothing and gear and her lips curled in disgust. When her gaze met Hardman’s, it narrowed. Not a word. Ever.

I did tell you to stay with the boat, he said, his tone cheerful.

Shit, Dagger bit out.

Hardman’s gaze darted to their boat. It was bobbing toward the center of the river, dragging the jon boat, to which it was tied, right along with it.

Son of a bitch, Dagger spat then climbed into Harper’s little dingy, started up the motor and drove it toward the two boats that were now picking up speed.

He probably should’ve waited for me to help him, Preacher said, his hands on his hips.

They all watched as Dagger leaned over the side of Harper’s boat to retrieve the mooring line floating on the surface.

Sure enough, the skiff tipped, dumping Dagger into the water. Now, all three boats were floating away.

The sound of cursing came from the embankment, and they watched as a brunette who more than filled her jeans and T-shirt slid down the side, Lacey following her a second later. Lacey strode toward them, but her gaze was on the river and Dagger, who now had the mooring line in one hand and an arm draped over the edge of Harper’s little boat. He appeared to be losing the battle against the current as the boats rounded the bend.

Think someone ought to help him? Lacey asked.

Preacher shrugged. Don’t look at me. I’m not a damn SEAL.

All gazes landed on Hardman. He rolled his eyes, quickly stripped off his vest, his holster, and his sweatshirt, and then strode deeper into the water and swam, letting the current bring him closer to Dagger.

From the edge of the water, he heard Lacey’s, Damn, did you see all that muscle?

A feminine snort sounded. Had to be Marti, but he didn’t wait around to hear her response. He quickened his strokes, determined to prove that Navy trumped Army—at least in the water.

Minutes later, Hardman drove the lead boat, with all three tied together now, back to where everyone was gathered. Someone had retrieved Harper’s clothing, but his hands were restrained behind him so his girlfriend was helping him get his jeans on.

Both Marti and Lacey were watching, standing way too close to each other to be having a polite conversation. Harper kept throwing them dark glances as his girlfriend gripped his jeans and pulled them up his thighs. His cock was going to be a bit of a problem. It wasn’t a big one, but it did seem to enjoy the attention.

His girlfriend quickly tucked it inside,