Bargain Hunting (32 page)

The four men jogged to the door and I knew my time was limited. I decided on a plan of action. I just didn’t know if it would work.

I jumped up and head-butted Garza, knocking him to the floor. Then I ran to the desk and retrieved my gun. With unsteady hands, I trained it on him. But instead of looking afraid, he smiled up at me. “Unfortunately for you, Calderone removed the magazine.”

Great! A gun with no bullets and Calderone would be back in seconds.

“Shoot, Finley!” Liam called from behind me.

I closed one eye and pulled the trigger. Instantly Garza reached for his chest, then fell to his knees, his expression a mixture of shock and fear.

“Get something sharp,” Booker said. I went to the desk, shoving things around until I found my fingernail scissors. I cut Liam free and then he freed Booker. I heard the door open.

“Run!” Liam said as he grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of stacked boxes.

All three of us climbed down into the maze. I was sandwiched between Booker and Liam. “Now what?” I whispered.

Liam pulled my hand and we went to the right. I could hear Calderone’s footsteps getting closer. There probably weren’t more than four boxes between Calderone and us. Booker and Liam stopped and looked at each other. Then Liam held up three fingers. Then two, then one.

Together they pushed the load off the top and almost simultaneously I heard a man yelp. Booker and Liam went over the boxes and I heard a scuffle, then a gunshot. I couldn’t reach the top of the boxes so I had to go back the way I’d come. I was quivering and so worried about Liam that I didn’t even think of my own safety.

Turns out I didn’t have to. Booker and Liam took turns punching Calderone in the face. Then the door burst open and a bunch of men in black gear came in holding assault rifles.

Garza was on the floor, writhing around in pain.

Calderone was taken into custody immediately. An ambulance came for Garza and I stood off to the side rubbing my arms. Liam came over and folded me into his embrace. “How did you know?” I asked.

“Know what?”

“That there was still a bullet in the gun?”

“I didn’t. I was just hoping Calderone forgot to empty the chamber when he took out the magazine.”

“That was quite a chance you took.”

“Look on the bright side,” Liam said as he stroked my hair. “You hit the target.”

“I was aiming for his head,” I admitted.

“We are a pair,”
Liam said as he looked past me into the mirror and examined the wounds and welts on his face. Me? I’d gotten away with just a lump on my head and a small cut on my lip.

“C’mon, we have company.”

He swatted me on the fanny as we left my bedroom after cleaning up. Tony, Becky, Liv, Jane, Booker, and Perry Mason were all seated in the living room with a bottle of champagne. Tony popped the cork and began to fill all the glasses. “To computers,” he said as he raised his glass.

“To Becky,” Liv added just before the ceremonial clink.

I sipped the champagne and savored the taste as the bubbles tickled my nose. I was very aware of the fact that Liam still had his hand on the center of my back. I guess we did have the kind of relationship that allows for public displays of affection. That warmed me more than the alcohol.

“It was genius,” Becky said on a satisfied breath.

“What was?” I asked.

“When I told her you were going into witness protection, she told me I was nuts,” Tony said.

“True,” I agreed.

“So I came here and checked your Internet history,” Becky explained. “That’s how I found the name of Southern Allied.”

“So that’s why the cops came?”

Tony nodded. “I called a cop I know personally since we didn’t know who all was involved in the conspiracy.”

I went to Becky and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”

“A good friend always knows to check your Internet history,” she returned.

“Come, Perry,” Liam said to the dog. Other than some singed fur, Perry Mason was none the worse for his experience. Liam petted the dog’s head. I did, too. Perry was growing on me. Mainly because he stayed off the furniture.

We drank and laughed and ate the crackers and Brie Liv had brought along. She knows me well enough to know my house is BYOF—bring your own food. I was relaxed for the first time in days. And, if I did say so myself, I was proud of the way I’d handled danger. Though I don’t think I’ll turn into a gun-toting woman any time soon.

The celebration lasted until midnight. Booker was the first to leave. I gave him a hug, or tried to—I couldn’t get my arms around his beefy body. I did kiss his cheek, and to my surprise, he blushed.

Tony left with the girls, leaving Liam and me alone. My chest tightened. What now? Do I ask him to stay over? Do I wait for him to ask? I needed a man manual.

We had a slightly awkward moment as he helped me load the dishwasher. It was such a domestic chore but it felt weird.
I
felt weird. And I couldn’t stand the tension.

“We can watch the late news,” I suggested.

He smiled and shook his head. “Not interested.”

My insides felt coiled. “We could take Perry for a walk. He likes the beach.”

“Perry is fine,” he said as he stepped a fraction closer to me.

“Rent a movie?” I offered.

“Nope.”

“Then what do you want to do?” I asked.

He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. He kissed my forehead, then his mouth slipped lower until he was placing feather-light kisses on my collarbone. “What do you want now?”

“You,” I said, so breathless I wasn’t sure I could get out more than one word.

He lifted his head and held my gaze. “For how long?”

“At least until I find out if you’re drawer worthy.”

ALSO FROM POCKET BOOKS AND RHONDA POLLERO

Slightly Irregular
FAT Chance

ALSO IN THE FINLEY ANDERSON TANNER SERIES

Knock ’Em Dead
Knock Off

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Rhonda Pollero

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First Gallery Books trade paperback edition October 2012

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