Page 7 of Shadow

“What the fuck?!” Both Teagan and I yell at the same time.

“I’m not a fucking flesh dealer. I should kill your slimy ass right the fuck now!” My hand goes to my back, where my Glock is tucked into my pants, but before I can get it out, Teagan starts screaming at Everett.

“Trey, how could you?” Teagan looks at him in disbelief.

I shake my head, I don’t know who she is to him, but she’s obviously living in a fantasy land if she didn’t know what kinda asshole this guy is.

“Teag, baby. You said you wanted to meet my friend. I just need you to go with Shadow until I can work things out.”

Friend, I wouldn’t even admit to being an acquaintance of this motherfucker.

Whatever he told this beauty to get her here is a lie. Everett can’t get the rest of the money, or he would already have it. So he’s trying to stall so he can disappear.

“Of course, I was excited to meet your friends, but you didn’t say anything about going with him. And what money is he asking for? I can’t be collateral. What the hell!” Teagan is going off, and I want to laugh, but I didn’t come here to listen to some chick argue with Everett.

“Teagan, not now! Just shut the fuck up!” Everett shouts.

“Man, listen. We don’t take humans as collateral. The fuck is wrong with you?” I look at him like he’s stupid.

The Sinners take almost anything as collateral, but not living, breathing things. We don’t even take pets, and some dogs can be over fifteen grand for the right breed. It’s too much and too dangerous. And we’re not fucking monsters.

“Just hear me out,” Everett places his hands up in a surrendering motion like I actually got the chance to put my gun to his head. “I’m working it out.”

“Trey! I am not going with this man!” Teagan argues.

“Teagan! I said shut your fucking mouth!” Everett yells again.

Something comes over me when he yells at her a second time, and I have to stop myself from reaching for my gun again. I don’t know what it is about this woman that makes me want to protect her, but I have to fight the urge. She’s a fucking stranger for fuck’s sake. Still, I take a step closer to them and stand beside Teagan.

“Take the bass outcha voice, motherfucker. I’ve already told you we don’t deal flesh. I want our motherfucking money. All of it,” I sneer.

My tolerance for this bitch is gone. I should’ve shot his ass when he didn’t have the money in the first place. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. I don’t leave mistakes walking around.

Before Everett has the chance to answer my question, the door to the office bursts open. I hear the familiar puff of air before a picture frame beside my head shatters. I knock Teagan to the floor on my way down. Then, men in masks start shooting up the office.

I pull my gun out and start to return fire. I hit Everett in the shoulder because the asshole didn’t duck. The men grab him and drag him out the door before I can get off any more shots.

“Fuck! Are you okay?” I ask, looking down at a hysterical Teagan.

“What the hell is happening?” She cries.

I wish I knew I had the answer because I have no fucking idea what just happened.

Five

UPSIDE DOWN

TEAGAN

The gorgeous stranger is still lying on top of me as I make an effort to calm down. It’s crazy that he was shooting at people, and even though I didn’t hear them shooting at us, they were. I saw the picture frame explode before I hit the ground.

“Are you okay?” He asks me again as he looks me over. I assume he’s looking for bullet holes.

My adrenaline is rushing, but I think I would feel it if I was shot. My body is trembling, but I take a deep breath to gather the strength not to continue freaking out.

“I’m not shot, but you’re heavy.” Shadow gets off me and helps me stand on wobbly legs.

I’d probably be dead if it weren’t for him knocking me down. Tears continue to pool at the thought, and I try to swallow and push them back down, but they spill out of my eyes without permission.