Lucky Streak (Lucky 2)

But Mike didn’t love her. He’d protect her when necessary, like now. But then he’d let her go.

“You heard her, man. Go home. She’s where she wants to be.”

“Then why do you have a death grip on her?” Mike asked sarcastically.

Marshall’s hold turned to a bruising pinch. Amber couldn’t stop herself from groaning out loud.

Mike immediately pulled out his gun, prompting Marshall to do the same.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“HOLY MOLY, BOYS, everyone take a deep breath,” King Bobby said, keeping a careful distance from Mike’s and Marshall’s guns.

Mike couldn’t breathe. Not until he got Amber away from that psychopath. She was a champ, and refusing to show Marshall any fear. But Mike could see it in her eyes. He could feel it in his gut. And he wanted to kill the man with his bare hands.

Marshall was a wild card. He shook like the pansy he was, which made Mike nervous he’d fire by mistake. And while Mike’s gun was trained on Marshall, Marshall’s alternated between Amber and Mike.

“Come on, Banks. Be smart,” Mike said. “Put the gun down before someone gets hurt.”

He let out a laugh. “I am smart. I’ve got the girl. You’ve got nothing.”

Mike ignored the dig. “Then do the math. You’ve got what looks like a .22 and I’ve got a .38. Anything you shoot is just going to piss me off. On the other hand, you’ll be sprawled on the pavement bleeding out, with no chance to spend all the money you’ve been winning.”

“My money!” King Bobby shouted.

“Shut up,” Mike hissed at him. He didn’t need the big Texan stirring up Marshall’s already volatile temper.

“Marshall, I was on my way home to Las Vegas. Why don’t we work out our problems there. Put the gun away,” Amber said, her voice strong despite his grip on her.

“You hear that?” he asked Mike. “She wants me, not you. We love each other. We

’re going to have a good life.”

Mike stared.

Even Amber, who was trying to keep Marshall calm, looked at the man as if he’d lost his mind.

“Tell him you love me, baby, and he’ll just walk away,” Marshall said.

Amber winced. She could only do so much in the name of keeping everyone safe, and as much as she tried, the words Marshall wanted to hear wouldn’t come. Not even in a patronizing tone.

“Tell him you love me.” Marshall’s grip tightened so hard she thought her arm might break.

Amber looked from Marshall to Mike, digging down to find strength she didn’t realize she’d had. “Marshall, are you crazy? We never were more than partners. And that was only so I could pay for my father’s nursing home.”

“There’s different kinds of love. We had an understanding! Now tell him!” He waved the gun at Mike.

“I can’t! Because I don’t love you, I love him!” Amber pointed to Mike.

At her declaration, Mike’s throat went dry. Stars spun behind his eyes. Her words shocked him, although he should have known, should have realized it before.

At the same moment, the sound of sirens filled the air as police cars pulled up around them. In a small town, Mike was surprised they hadn’t attracted notice before.

“Damn cops. They’ll take the bastard and I’ll never get my money,” King Bobby muttered. “Of all the damn, rotten luck…”

“Drop the gun, Marshall. Before you find yourself in a situation you really can’t win,” Mike ordered.

“Marshall, please.” Amber spoke directly to her ex-partner, pleading. “I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Neither would my father. The worst the police have on you now is possession of an illegal weapon. That’s minor. It can still work out. Just give it up,” Amber begged him.