Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(48)

Daniel had just opened the door and he froze, both eyebrows raised.

She struggled. “What’s happening? Let go of me.”

“I will in a minute,” Tom hissed, jerking harder. “I swear, you’re as bad as my sisters. Don’t you gals ever think?”

Another figure stepped out of the shadows. “Let her go, Marsh.”

Shane. Thank goodness. Tom yanked her behind his back.

She stumbled in her heels, grabbing his flannel shirt to keep from falling on the concrete.

“Freeze!” A male voice bellowed as a man wearing a black vest labeled SWAT jumped into range. Vehicles screeched, and sirens yowled as emergency vehicles skidded into the lot.

Malloy stepped out of an unmarked black car, his gun on Shane. “Major Dean. You’re under arrest.”

Shane eyed the detective and the myriad of weapons pointed at him. “Quite the firepower you brought, Malloy.”

“Yes, well. I’ve seen what happens to men who cross you.” Malloy gestured. “Turn around and place your hands on the building.”

Josie elbowed Tom out of the way. “Detective! I told you Shane didn’t kidnap me. You can’t arrest him.”

Tom turned toward her. “I’m pressing charges. He broke into my house and knocked me out before taking you. That’s a crime.”

Shane growled. “You had a gun on me, *.”

Tom shrugged. “It was my house and you were trespassing. I had the right to defend Josie.”

Panic heightened Josie’s breath to a hard pant. “Tom. Don’t do this. Please.” Her mind spun. What could she do?

“I’m sorry.” His eyes darkened in the soft light, his jaw hard as his voice lowered to the tone he used when dealing with his younger sisters. “You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re not thinking clearly.”

Son of a bitch. Malloy flipped Shane around, frisking him and cuffing him within seconds. Because Shane allowed him to. Thank goodness her husband wasn’t fighting back. Right now, anyway.

Malloy tipped his head, resignation in his eyes. “Mrs. Dean, you can probably bail him out within hours.” He prodded her husband toward a squad car.

“Josie.” Shane gave her a look, his hands behind his back, his eyes a seriously pissed off hue of gray. “Watch your tail and go home. Don’t leave until I call you.” Malloy shoved his head down before pushing him into the car.

Seconds later they drove away. The SWAT team packed up. The parking lot emptied.

Tom grabbed her arm, pulling her to face him. “Come home with me. I can protect you.”

Fury cascaded through her system. She shot her knee into his groin.

Tom bent over with a muffled oomph, dropping to one knee. “Damn it.”

She turned and glared at Daniel, who’d remained motionless at the door.

He shook his head. “You’re going to ruin your career.”

Without another glance, she flipped around and ran for the Toyota, keying the ignition and ripping out of the lot. Shane said to watch her tail and go home. Probably the crappy motel. She knew he had cash hidden in a large duffle bag. She’d need the money to bail him out.

The files slid out of her briefcase. She’d lose the bar as a client for sure if she didn’t drop those off as promised. Okay. New plan. She’d drop off the files and head back to the motel to get money to bail out Shane. The police would need time to process him, wouldn’t they?

She chewed her lip. What was the bail procedure? Did she go to the police station? Man, she had no clue.





Chapter 15

Josie kept an eye on the rearview mirror as she drove across town. Shane had told her to watch her tail. Would someone really follow her? Cars zipped behind her, probably people rushing home after a hard day’s work. Like she should be. But no. First she had to appease a pissed-off client, and then she had to bail her husband out of jail. She’d become one of those women from television who bailed their man out. The giggle that escaped her had an edge of hysteria to the high pitch.

She parked on the street in front of The Pound, shoving the files back in the case. Thunder rolled above. The first winter storm was about to hit.

Heavy metal music pounded as she ran into the club. The stench of sweat mixed with stale perfume and smoke filled her lungs. Lights flashed. Bodies gyrated on the dance floor. A lot of bodies, considering it was only eight o’clock on a Tuesday night. Glancing around, she made a beeline for the burly bartender who stood behind a large marble bar.

He grinned, a gold tooth gleaming in the dim light. “Hi, pretty lady. What can I get you?”

“I have some papers for Paul,” she yelled over the loud music.

“He’s in a meeting.” The bartender nodded at a sparkling bar stool. The booming voice matched his large bulk. “Have a seat, have a drink, and he’ll be done in a few.”

She didn’t have time for this, but neither did she have a choice. She absolutely couldn’t lose any more clients. With a shrug, she slid onto the stool. “Rolling Rock, please.”

The guy slid the beer across the bar. “On the house.” He winked.

“Thanks.” She took a deep drink. The beer was light with a smooth finish, and she allowed herself to relax. The bartender loped down to the other end of the bar to serve two young women in tight tank tops and short skirts. Really short skirts.