Page 69 of Rascal

“Have I had a chance?” Hallie demanded, yanking her phone out. She dialled as I ducked back as bullets hit around us.

“You okay?” I asked King.

“Bitch got me below my shoulder. It went through. I just need stitches.”

“Why the fuck are you here?” I asked, and King snorted.

“Because, like an asshole, you took Hallie out without anyone as backup. And guess who’s correct?” King shoved a thumb at himself.

“Are you armed?”

“Are you crazy? A black man with a gun? Yeah, in this culture today. Get real!”

I tossed King an angry look. “Can you make your car? Did you park close?”

“No, the SUV is right in the line of fire,” King answered.

“That severely limits our options, as Kira has us pinned down here,” I replied.

“The door was jammed from the outside. Kira didn’t want you to get out.” King winced in pain.

“The fire spread too quickly; she must have used an accelerant,” Hallie said.

“Kira’s lost all control. Somehow, she knows you’re together and is reacting,” King replied.

“Police are coming,” Hallie interrupted.

“You think Kira’s still out there?” King asked.

I shoved an arm out, and a shot bounced off the wall near me. “Yup.”

“Psycho fuckin’ nutcase,” Hallie complained.

“Now is not the time to make me hard, babe,” I warned, and Hallie snorted.

“What is wrong with you two?” King demanded.

We both shrugged.

A car pulled up, and I glanced around the corner. “Didn’t expect him.”

“Who?” Hallie went to stick her head out, and I dragged her back.

“Are you insane? Jesus. It’s Lieutenant Richards,” I hissed.

“What’s he doing here?” King wondered.

“Good question.”

“Rascal, Hallie, are you there?” Richards called.

“Yeah, we’re pinned down,” I replied.

“What direction is she shooting from?”

“Your east. Richards, King is injured.”

“Okay, Rascal, backup is on the way.” I glanced around the wall and saw Richards beginning to reverse. Moments later, Kira shot a hail of bullets at the car. Shouting and cursing erupted from inside, and Richards hit the brakes.