Page 102 of Rough Hard Fierce (Chicago Underground 1-3)
“Fine,” he said. “I’d hate for the cops to catch us with our pants down, so to speak. We can fight over the bitch later.”
Colin growled at Philip’s reference to me, looking almost ready to pounce.
“Guys,” Shelly said in a singsong voice. “I think we have bigger problems.”
I looked at her, and then I saw them. Surrounding us were three thugs and the cop, my own personal nightmare come true. No one had weapons drawn, but these weren’t the sort to bring a knife to a gunfight. This was what I’d come here to avert—Colin caught, Colin endangered—but here we were.
Because of me, Colin was here. Because of me, we were all fucked. The story of my life.
Philip stood and brushed himself off, then gave an ironic bow to Shaw. “Hello, Detective.”
Clearly no introductions were necessary.
“You’re under arrest,” Shaw said with a smirk. “You have the right to remain silent. Should I go on? I know you’ve heard it before.”
“If you’re going to arrest me, then by all means, continue.” Philip shrugged, the picture of a man unconcerned. “But I think we both know that’s not what’s going to happen.”
“I might,” Shaw murmured. “I just might. Or maybe one of your whores.” He eyed Shelly.
“I don’t share,” Philip said.
“That’s not what she says,” Shaw taunted. It was a schoolyard insult, but somehow it rang true. “She’s been talking to the cops.”
Philip’s facade paused in a freeze-frame; then he turned slowly to Shelly, who shrank from him.
“You,” he said incredulously. Every muscle tensed as I watched him for the rage that would come. An asshole like him wouldn’t take well to one of his own betraying him, but oddly he looked more confused than furious. Hurt, almost.
Shelly put her hands up like she was apologizing for forgetting to pick up milk at the damn grocery store. She actually took a step toward him. I wanted to shout at her to get away, but it caught in my throat. Why wasn’t she afraid of him?
“I’m sorry, Philip.” Her mouth tightened as she looked Shaw over. “It wasn’t him, though.”
Shaw flicked his gaze to me, and his eyes hardened. “No, someone gave me some misinformation. I figured that out soon enough. It was my partner, but I’m afraid he’s been unavoidably detained at the moment.” He sighed with exaggerated forbearance. “I’ll have to clean up this mess by myself.”
“What do you want?” Philip said as if bored. “More money? How trite.”
Shaw’s forehead ridged in anger. He couldn’t act even half as cool as Philip. I had to give Philip credit for that much. He played his part well, even when he was outgunned.
“I already have a friend with deep pockets,” Shaw said. “Turns out you aren’t that popular. Dimitri Golastov wants you dead.”
Philip snorted. “A street dealer who pretends he’s playing in the big leagues. Buying up cops with his daddy’s money.”
Shaw looked briefly disconcerted, but only for a moment. “Yeah, well, there’s a lot of it, and cash rules the street. He’s got all the players in place. Now all he needs to do is knock out the competition.”
“You’re the one who’s been fucking with the shipments,” Colin said.
Shaw shrugged. “When I could find them, and assuming I could keep my snotty little partner away. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you came to one of these drops yourself.” He nodded toward one of his men. “Put the girls in the car. We’ll deal with these two here.”
When one of the men made a move toward me, Colin stepped between us. “I don’t think so.”
“Let’s do them all,” one of the men said.
Shaw’s eyes slid to me, then down my body. “I’d hoped for a little more time with you, but I don’t want this to get messy.” His gaze lingered on my breasts. I resisted the urge to cover them with my hands. Then he nodded to the one who’d spoken. “Do it.”
An efficient one, he was, because he lifted his gun and aimed it straight at Philip’s chest. The money shot.
The bang sounded just as Shelly flew in front of him. Even before they’d collapsed in a heap, Colin had knocked down the guy nearest us. He pushed me down. My cheek hit the concrete with an alarming crack. Dazed, I heard more gunshots, but all I could think of was Shelly. What the hell had she been thinking to do that, any of it? God, let her be okay.
I looked up to see the first shooter fall back. The sirens whined closer. Shaw took off at a sprint in the opposite direction. Once he’d lost his goons, he was toothless. Colin took off after him.
