On Her Six (Under Covers) Read Free Page B

sounded as if something hit his door. Then a loud groan.
    Stealing a glance through his peephole, he watched her grab her foot and jump around on one leg.
    He chuckled. Scratch that. This chick had more than a spark. More like a bolt of lightning.
    “You’re welcome, by the way,” he said, knowing she wouldn’t hear him through the door.
    Shaking his head, he turned. This was going to be a long fucking assignment.
    …
    Ugh! What an ass!
    Sam hobbled down her neighbor’s unstable cement stairs and crossed the street.
    A drip of sweat at the back of her neck trailed under her shirt and ran the path of her spine. She pulled the damp blouse from her body, giving her a bit of relief, before pounding on her grandmother’s front door. “Grandma!” Grumbling, she pounded harder. Stupid man with his stupid door. “Grandma!”
    The door opened. “What? What?” Her grandmother held a cup of coffee in one hand and pushed her bifocals higher on the bridge of her nose with the other. “I’m watching— Samantha? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work? If you’re late one more time, Major—”
    Sam held up her hand, silencing Rose. “I met the new neighbor.”
    Rose’s eyebrows lifted above the metal of her petite frames. She peered across the street at the jerk’s house and squinted through the daylight now peeking over the horizon. “The hunk next door? Really?” She leaned against the doorjamb and crossed her arms. “And?”
    “Let me see.” Sam began counting on her fingers. “He’s rude, arrogant, psychotic, and an enabler.”
    “That bad?” Grandma Rose frowned before taking a sip from her mug.
    “Did I mention he keeps a 9mm in his waistband?”
    Her hand froze midair, and her green eyes bulged out of her head.
    “Oh, and he gives money to drug addicts.”
    Grandma’s jaw looked like it had come unhinged. Thank you, Fixodent, for keeping those chompers in her mouth.
    “You better call Maybel and find out what she knows.”
    Rose’s shoulders sagged as she exhaled. “She’s been watching him since last night. I didn’t want to say anything until we were sure, but he made a few calls to some guy named Tyke. Maybel said it sounded suspicious. Now based on what you’re saying…”
    You sneaky, sneaky man… The wheels in Sam’s brain spun out of control. The gun, the information about Vamp, the big muscles—she didn’t feel at all at ease with her new neighbor living on their street. They needed to find out what he was up to fast. And force the jerk out of town ASAP.
    “We need to get to the bottom of this,” Sam said. “Gather up the girls. When I get back from work tonight, we’re hosting a stakeout.”

Chapter Three
    The drive to work was all of seven minutes, nowhere near enough time to rest Sam’s throbbing foot. Her plan was to get to her desk, elevate her bruised tootsies, and try to find out as much as she could about her neighbor.
    “Harper!” the Major’s unmistakable roar shot through the halls of the southeastern precinct.
    The building looked like any other station. Old and dusty. Desks littered with stacks of papers, bright halogen lights gleamed from the drop-tile ceiling, and clamor from the dispatch radio echoed all around. It had a distinct musty smell that always gave her a sense of calm when she entered.
    This particular precinct was responsible for the dealings in the southeastern part of Baltimore City. More blue collar than the rest of the city, so none of the craziness and debauchery she would prefer, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. No one else would hire her, and since Major Fowler was a family friend, Sam was happy to simply gain the experience until she passed the police exam and became a real cop.
    “You’re in big trouble now,” Officer Daniel Martinez said as Sam passed him on the way to her desk. “He’s been shouting your name for thirty minutes. We’re all taking bets on whether he’s going to can you for real this time.”
    “How