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“Just… dandy…” he wheezes back.
We reach the parking lot and race for the SUV.
“I’m driving,” I hiss.
“Shotgun,” he jokes through the pain, hitting the unlock button and heading for the passenger side. I hear his door slam shut as I round the back of the car at full speed, mind totally occupied by thoughts of escape. I’m so focused on getting out of here, I nearly smash straight into someone.
No, notsomeone.
Padraic.
AKA Petey.
AKA a one of Mac’s boys, intent on revenge.
Crap on asiago focaccia.
***
I drop Boo almost as a reflex, both hands lifting to wrap around the gun. I aim it at Petey, wishing my arms weren’t shaking so much.
He smiles darkly when he sees the gun bouncing.
“Scared?” He smirks as he takes a step toward me. “You should be. I’m gonna get you.”
“And my little dog, too?” I wisecrack while my finger searches for the safety button.
He takes another step. “You aren’t gonna shoot me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I find the button at last.
Yes! Victory is mine!
I push it. The magazine falls out the bottom of my gun.
No! Victory is sonotmine!
“Frack,” I whisper, staring in disbelief at my utterly useless weapon. I hit the wrong damn button. Again.
Petey laughs as he makes a lunge for me. I recoil away, knowing I’m not fast enough. The only thought in my head is that I’m pretty sure I’m done for, when I hear it.
A growl.
My eyes drop just in time to see a white blob of fur launch itself at Petey’s outstretched hands.
“What the fu— AHH!” Petey curses as a row of tiny, razor-sharp teeth clamp down on the fleshy part of his palm. “FUCK!”
He whips his injured hand sharply and I see Boo go flying.
“No!” I scream, watching his tiny body bounce off the side of the SUV with a sickening thud. He lets out an unmistakable yelp of pain when he hits the asphalt, before his body goes completely still. “Boo!”
He’s not moving.
My adorable demon-dog is not moving.
Something inside me snaps.
I don’t think. I hurl myself at Petey, hell-bent on destruction. My fists flail out and I feel vindication pump through me as one collides with his nose. My nails rake down his cheek so hard blood beads in their tracks.
