“Jesus,” Darius said.
Lee jerked Rosie around and sat him on the couch next to his would be killer.
He pointed at Rosie and said, “Sit. Stay.”
While I was watching Lee, I felt a hand at my back and my shirt was lifted up. I twisted my head to see Eddie there, then felt his hand slide into my shorts and pull out the gun.
He could have pulled it out by its butt and barely touch me. He didn’t do that. He slid the length of his index finger along the gun, the rest of his knuckles fisting around the butt, grazing the small of my back, making certain I felt his warmth against my skin nearly to the top edge of my underwear. And, I had to admit, it felt nice.
Provocatively tactile.
When I turned back to Lee, he was watching and the muscle was going in his cheek.
“Outside,” Lee said to Eddie.
Eddie handed me the gun and said, “Point this at the bad guy and don’t take your eyes off him. If he moves, shoot him. Got that?”
I nodded.
Lee, Darius and Eddie left the house.
I pointed the gun at the hit man, pulled the pepper spray out of my pocket and gave it to Ally saying, “How’d you find Rosie?”
“You know all those leads I told you about?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I tracked them down, gave out more cards, the leads led to more leads and here I am. Rosie.”
I was impressed.
“You are the shit!” I told her.
“Damn straight,” she replied on a grin.
Then we heard voices through the front screen door.
“She was on a ride-along,” Lee clipped.
“Yeah, a ride-along with a Chow,” Darius commented.
“She got in a f**kin’ quick draw with a hit man in broad daylight and she was armed with a goddamned taser!” Eddie snapped.
“It’s none of your business, Eddie, but she and I made a deal,” Lee said.
“Yeah, I heard. A deal struck while she was cuffed to your bed. Christ, I never thought I’d see the day when you were led around by your dick,” Eddie returned.
Uh-oh.
Them’s fightin’ words.
I chanced a glance to Ally and even she’d gone pale.
“Boys,” Darius said low.
“You know, I’m almost compelled to let you have her for a week and see if you can control her,” Lee put in.
Um… say what?