Once again Barbara’s nails dig into my arm and I pull out my cell phone. She watches as I dial the number and then put it on silent before placing it on the ledge beside me.
“I don’t care what you have to do, I want some quality uninterrupted time with that little pussy. She played hard to get but I know how to handle someone like her.”
“And once you’ve had your fun, there’s no way she’s going to live here anymore, or be able to afford her store. I’m ready to see the back of that nosy bitch.”
When my body is shaking with rage, I know I can’t wait any longer, but I’ve got all the evidence I need. With one look at Barbara I tell her to stay put and she nods before she lets go of my arm.
“It’s a shame I didn’t put you six feet under the first time you tried to hit on my woman,” I say to the redheaded guy leaning up against his car. Barbara and I both recognized his voice and realized he was the pushy asshole from the day I first went into the bookstore.
“Oh Shaw, thank goodness you’re here! I—” Missy starts, but I hold my hand up.
I can hear the sounds of sirens in the distance and I know I don’t have much time.
“You idiots were told we had a security system put in. Did you not bother to look up and see the cameras?” With my words Missy pales and the redhead looks up to check. When he sees the cameras he swallows hard. “Oh, and funny thing about those cameras. I had those installed yesterday, so the voicemail I got when I was at lunch was probably them telling me they have the footage of who broke into the bookstore after I replaced the lock the first time.”
Missy takes a step backwards, but Redhead has nowhere to go. He’s the one I’m after right this second, because I can deal with Missy later.
“Relax, it’s not like we were actually going to do anything. It was all just to scare her.” He holds up his hands like he’s defending himself.
“You dumb fucker, the cameras record sound and I just heard your whole plan.”
He opens his mouth to say something else, but I don’t give him the chance. My right hook is up and coming across his face with a loud crack. Blood pours from his nose as I give him an jab with my left hand in the gut. He cries out and crumples to the ground just as the police come flying around to the back with their sirens blaring.
“The biggest mistake you ever made was trying to take what’s mine.” I kick him hard in the ribs just as the boys in blue come running up.
“We’ll take it from here, Shaw,” Clarence calls out as the other guys reads him his rights and cuffs him.
Barbara comes out from behind the dumpster just as they throw Redhead into the back of the squad car. She has my phone and I take it from her as I pull her into my side.
“Did you get all that?” I say.
“Yeah, and your security people have already sent me the digital copy of the break-in, and Missy’s involvement.”
I look over in time to see her getting cuffed and all hell breaks loose. She’s kicking and screaming while two more cop cars show up to help.
“We’ll need you to come in for a statement,” Chief says.
“Be there soon,” I confirm and end the call.
I wrap my arms around Barbara and we watch as the two of them are taken into custody and the area is secured.
Chapter Seventeen
Barbie
Is it wrong that I’m a little disappointed that there’s no need for Shaw to be connected at my hip? I shove another fry from the diner into my mouth, thinking that after one night in bed with Shaw I’m ruined. I have no idea how I’ll ever sleep without him again.
Shaw takes some of the fries off his own plate and puts them onto mine. The diner has killer steak fries, so I don’t know how he can share; I wouldn’t. He really is a hero right out of a book. I couldn’t have written him better myself.
I pick up another French fry and dip this one in my strawberry shake.
“I can order more.” He turns to look for our server.
“No, I don’t need any more. I still got all these.” I motion to the giant pile he gave me. “Unless you need some.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “I’m good with my burger.” He picks it up and takes a bite. “You want to stay at your place tonight?”
“Sure.” I shrug. I had a feeling that question would be coming.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine.” His eyebrows lift. It’s clear he doesn’t believe me. “Not fine. I’m great,” I try to correct myself because everyone knows “fine” is not okay.