Page 83 of S.O.S. Billboard

“She was asking for it,” his partner clipped.

O’Reilly, the coward, instead of sticking around to make sure O’Shea wasn’t about to be hurt again, turned back and went inside without another word.

“Thanks for nothing dickhead,” O’Shea called after him.

Her short fuse was still burning. She looked up at the remaining officer and snapped. “I suppose you’re going to kick me while I’m down, too?”

“Not a bad idea.”

Delaney hauled back with his big boot, and aimed a kick at her gut, but O’Shea rolled at the last minute and the blow clipped her hip.

She grunted at the impact, but before the prick could deduce what she was about, O’Shea lifted her feet, wrapped them around Delaney’s calves, and yanked hard.

Timber.

The scumbag tumbled to the ground next to her, and hediddo a face-plant.

“Not so tough, now, are you?” O’Shea taunted.

She knew she’d made a risky move, knowing retribution would be swift and rough, but it still made her feel better that the cop had eaten dirt.

Delaney slowly rose to his knees beside her. “You are so going to regret that,” he snarled, wiping his hand across his dirty mouth.

O’Shea was heartened to see blood. He must have cut the inside of his mouth with his teeth when he’d fallen. Not the extent of injury that O’Shea was hoping for, but it would do.

Helpless now, O’Shea waited to see what the rotten cop would do next.

Sure enough, Delaney reached out and grabbed a fistful of O’Shea’s hair with one hand, while cocking back his opposite fist.

Fuck.O’Shea braced for a punch to the face that would probably break bones.

“Hey! What the fuck is going on?”

Yes! It was the last voice on earth O’Shea expected to hear, but it was one-hundred percent the most welcome.

Delaney looked at the newcomer and barked. “Move along, if you know what’s good for you.”

“Not when I see you abusing a person who’s on the ground and restrained,” Billboard glowered. “Now let her go.”

Luckily, instead of landing the punch he’d been planning, Delaney did as Billboard suggested, released her hair, and slowly got up.

“You see this?” He pointed to his bloody mouth. “This is what the bitch did to meafterwe cuffed her. She’s dangerous.”

O’Shea looked up at Billboard and gave him a sassy grin accompanied by a shrug.

Billboard snorted. “Nice one, O’Shea.”

“Well, he was asking for it,” she defended. “He tripped me, then kicked my hip.”

Billboard growled, his eyes practically shooting sparks at the cop.

Delaney, looking incredulous, snapped at Billboard. “You know this person?” he questioned bitingly.

“I do.” Billboard stepped forward a few feet, closing the gap between him and Delaney; crossing his arms over his massive chest. “But Idon’tknow you.”

Up close, it looked like Delaney wanted to take exception to Billboard’s presence, but clearly he could see it would be no contest if BB wanted to resist. Billboard had five inches and easily fifty pounds on the guy. Still, Delaney wasn’t backing down.

“So, you’re an accomplice then,” the cop accused.

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