Free Full Body Contact by Carolyn McCray, Elena Gray Page B

Sal pressed his meaty flesh into the counter behind him.
    “Dekker. Hi … what are you doing here?”
    Dekker strode to the glass counter. Jewelry, cameras, and crystal bowls lined the case. The door chimed again. Dekker didn’t need to turn to know that Lexie had followed him in. He knew the draw that danger had.
    Focusing his steely gaze on Sal, he snarled, “Paulie said you bought Grant’s ring?”
    Sal walked to the far end of the counter and tapped the glass over a two-carat diamond ring in a platinum setting. “Right here. As pretty as the day I bought it.”
    Dekker reached in his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. Peeling off five one-hundred- dollar bills, he slammed them down on the glass. Both Sal and Lexie jumped.
    Sal eyed the money and shook his head. “This is a fine piece of jewelry, man. That’s less than I gave Paulie for it.”
    This fat guy had some big hairy balls to challenge Dekker like that. “That is your problem. That’s how much we’re paying to get it out of hock.”
    Sal’s eyes darted before he reached under the counter and hauled out a shotgun. Dekker heard Lexie gasp behind him.
    Sweat dripped down Sal’s temple. Dekker could smell his fear just as easily as he could smell the meatball sub that Sal had for dinner. “I don’t want no trouble, Dekker, but I ain’t letting you steal me blind.”
    Dekker flexed his fingers. This was only going to end one way, and that was with him leaving with the ring.
    “That’s a fair price, Sal. I’d take it if I were you.”
    Sal kept the barrel of the shotgun aimed at Dekker—his hand unsteady.
    “Last chance, Sal.”
    In one quick motion, Dekker grabbed the barrel of the shotgun, ramming the butt of it into Sal’s nose. Dekker heard the crunch of bone, followed by a gush of blood. Sal screamed. Clutching his nose, blood poured through his fingers as he slumped to the floor.
    Dekker spun the shotgun, pressing the barrel to Sal’s forehead. Tears streamed down the rolls of fat. “The ring.”
    Fumbling, Sal took three tries to get the key in the lock. Hands shaking, Sal slid the glass door open and pulled out a two-carat platinum ring. It pinged as he dropped it on the glass.
    “In a box, please,” Dekker instructed, the shotgun still aimed at Sal’s head. “One of those nice black velvet ones.”
    Sal grabbed a box off the counter behind him. He picked up the ring and placed it inside.
    “Now, a nice bow. Red.”
    The ribbon rustled as Sal slipped the premade bow onto the box.
    Dekker picked up the box and handed it to Lexie. Without uttering a word, she accepted it. Her face was ashen, and her fingers were shaking nearly as bad as Sal’s.
    The shotgun clicked three times as Dekker pumped it, ejecting three shells onto the counter. He pocketed the rounds and placed the gun down.
    “As always, nice dealing with you, Sal.”
    Dekker turned and placed an arm around Lexie’s shoulder, guiding her rigid body out of the pawnshop.
    “What in the hell was that about?” Lexie hissed, ducking out of Dekker’s hold.
    Dekker opened the door for her. After all she seemed to want him to act the gentleman tonight. “Grant’s wife had to pawn her engagement ring while he was in the joint. It’s their anniversary tomorrow, and he wanted to get it back for her.”
    “Oh … how romantic,” Lexie mumbled, climbing in the passenger seat.
    Once she was tucked safely inside, Dekker trotted around the car and got into the driver’s seat. As he revved the motor, Lexie frowned. “Why didn’t Grant just go get it himself?”
    “And violate his parole? No way.” A horn blared as Dekker swerved into the street.
    “Where are we going now?”
    Dekker’s eyes sought Lexie. She sat sideways in her seat. The soft glow of the console illuminated her features. She was attractive before, but now she was smokin’. Her lips stained red. They begged to be kissed. If the altercation in the pawnshop didn’t scare her off, then she just might be the