Page 85 of Dirty Deadly & Mine
“Don’t die?”
It comes out more like a question rather than advice, and a laugh bubbles out of my throat as I take him in.
“You’re really fucking crap at this.”
He shrugs. “If it looks like he’s going to kill you, I’ll have to take him out.”
“Take him out?” I frown, and Barrett nods, his eyes locked on the headliner as he opens his leather jacket to reveal a gun. “Dude. What the fuck? Why do you have that here?”
Barrett turns his dark eyes on me. “You may not realise this, kid, but this isn’t just a casual fucking street fight. You’re in gangster territory now, and we are standing in their version of Switzerland. That fucker over there is a member of the Black Taipans, and you have somehow found yourself in the middle of a gang war.”
A gang war?
What the fuck?
Barrett points to a group of ratty looking fuckers, who’d look homeless if it weren’t for the gold chains they’re wearing around their necks, and the numbers seven and eight hanging from them.
“You win and not only will you have the Black Taipans gunning for your arse, but the Seven Eights are gonna hit hard to recruit you.”
My eyes widen. “No?”
“Yes,” he rasps.
“How the hell do you know about this stuff?” I shoot my gaze back to him, and he shrugs.
“Business.”
What the fuck do gangs have to do with the type of business he’s in?
The bell rings before I can ask any more questions, and Irealise I should probably hightail it outta here. I need the coin though, and I need to feel bones break, so I stay and hope I can somehow take this guy out without fucking killing myself in the process.
Inside the cage, my eyes lock onto the blown pools of my opponent, Lil’ Ray. I’m surprised to see his eyes like that. He’s obviously on something. Maybe whatever it is makes him crazier, but I have to hope it works in my favour… I’m gonna need all the help I can get.
My cheek explodes in pain as he snaps out a quick hit, the blow rattling my fucking brain. I manage to duck his next swing, ramming my fist into his ribs as I go, which barely rattles him.
Fuck.
We dance around each other for a bit, the crowd getting pissy with us because nothing is happening, but then I see the moment he decides to change things up.
He may be a quick draw with his swings, but his brain is slow.
Then he gets himself into position to charge me. Like a fucking bull, just like the other guy from last week.
Lil’ Ray storms across the mat towards me like a giant in slow motion, and it’s easy enough to leap out of the way before he makes contact. Seizing my opportunity, I leap on his back like a crazed monkey and fight like my life depends on it.
CHAPTER 19
LILY
Since the salon is closed tomorrow for Good Friday, I’m stuck working late, having sent Bonnie and the two apprentices home an hour ago while I finish Mrs Olsen’s hair.
She’s a fussy woman, but loyal, and drives into town from London to get her hair done by me. Unfortunately, that means I need to endure her fussing and mind changes because loyalty is hard to come by these days.
It’s after ten in the evening by the time my client leaves and I clean up the salon. The streets are quiet since most businesses have shut up a little earlier than usual, with tomorrow being the beginning of the Easter weekend, the silent eeriness making me uneasy as I lock up.
For a moment, I stand in the alcove looking up the street, watching for any signs of my stalker… or stalkers… or assassins.
Bloody hell.
