Page 21 of Dead and a Best Friend
His lips twisted, and his eyes danced. I rolled my eyes. "I have a purse. It has a brick inside." I smirked. "I'm not clueless, Sheriff!"
"God help me from sexy women."
My smile widened. "You think I'm a sexy woman? Why, thank you, Sheriff Oliver. You're not so bad yourself." I winked and moved ahead of him to get the front door. I smiled to myself as he walked past, blushing.
Maybe flirting with the sheriff wasn't the best idea. But it was certainly fun.
"Let's cut through the town square. There's less chance of someone driving by and snatching the bag."
I trailed after Oliver and inhaled the cold, crisp air. It would be colder soon, as December approached.
I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings. It was only when Oliver faltered that I glanced around.
A large man wearing a leather jacket was quickly approaching us. Oliver froze and whispered, "Stay behind me.
Not on your life!
The man pulled out a knife, and I gasped in surprise. Oliver shoved the bag at me. I grabbed it, and then he faced the man. "Run!" Oliver shouted as he struggled with the man. With adrenaline pumping through me, I grabbed my purse and swung with all my strength. I missed.
The asshole grabbed my purse on my second attempt. I shouted for help as Oliver punched the man in the face. The man cursed and his face contorted with fury. One punch caught Oliver in the face, and he went down.
Oh, crap!
I saw a car pulling up to City Hall, so I opened my mouth to scream. But the man clamped a large, meaty hand over my mouth before I could make a sound. His other arm went around my waist. I wiggled and kicked, but it did no good.
Riley and his two colleagues were talking beside the car, so I tried something I'd never done before.
"Riley,"I yelled in my head.
I saw the man go rigid.
"Town square! Help!"I thought again.
His head whipped around, and when our eyes met, he took off running toward me. The other two followed. I bit the guy's hand, and he cursed. He dropped me. "Bitch!" he snarled, hitting me in the face.
I fell to the ground as I heard Riley shout,"Tallulah!"in my head.
Then, oblivion.
"Tallulah James,open your eyes, woman! You drive me crazy, but I love you!"
"Sir, this is a hospital. Any more raised voices or cursing, and you will no longer be welcome."
My head and face hurt. My ears were ringing, but I thought it was because Carlisle was shouting at me.
"She's mad at you, so I doubt hearing your declaration will change anything." Jessop told his brother. "Anyway, what did you do?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Oh, no! Your girlfriend looked heartbroken when she left the hotel. Tell me!"
"I told her that I had sex with Jane multiple times."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I heard pacing. "Why did you lie to her, you insensitive bastard?"
"You don't know that I lied." Carlisle sounded irritated. "And shut up! She might hear you."
"You're an asshole for letting her believe that shit. I don't get it. You love Talla. You hate Jane."
