Second Chance by Lawrence Kelter

been committed to going for a joy ride with Buzz. “Are you sure? I definitely understand if you don’t want to take the risk. I know that Donovan’s an angry, vicious animal.”
    “What kind of pansy-ass do you think I am? You think Ambler called me because I had a yellow streak?”
    “Well no, but—”
    “Just sit your ass down in the car,” Rick said assertively. “And don’t try any more stupid-ass stunts again.” Rick gestured to Buzz. I had never seen that particular gesture used before, but I believe the translation was piss off . I turned to Buzz, shrugged an apology, and had a foot in the Grand National when Lyndell’s SUV slammed bottom on the service station apron and skidded to a stop just twenty feet behind us.
    We leapt into the car just as the first shots rang out. Rick somehow managed to get the car started and shifted into gear with his head crouched down by the bottom of the steering wheel. He was about to peel rubber when a second black SUV skidded to a halt in front of us. “We’re truly screwed now,” he said as bullets pierced the windshield. We were pinned down with no avenue for escape until I heard the crunch of truck gears. I saw the Bacardi truck lurch forward. Old Buzz caught the SUV broadside and pushed it out of our way. He saluted me, winked, and backed up, giving us just enough space to squeeze through. Rick wasted no time—the Grand National jumped forward and vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Chapter Eleven
    Tay was not in our room. At first glance it appeared that a tornado had spun through it, but there were no signs of forced entry or a struggle. She had left traces of herself everywhere—lingerie was scattered over her bed. Makeup and hair products covered every inch of bathroom counter space. A side chair had been reupholstered with her dresses. She had gone through the madness every woman goes through before a first date, trying on every combination of apparel imaginable in order to capture that perfect first-date appearance.
    My guess was that the rented Mustang was still in BOOM’s parking lot, nestled amongst hundreds of other cars and still anonymous. I had called Tay several times, but all the calls had gone to voicemail. She’d probably switched off her phone for privacy and had no idea that I was tearing out my hair worrying about her.
    Rick had stashed the Grand National in a nearby parking lot and was lying low until he heard from me. I doubt he knew what he’d been buying into when he had picked up the phone and heard the voice of his old friend, Herb Ambler, on the line. I had no idea what I was buying into when I agreed to take a week off. I guess life is just chock-full of surprises.
    The mini fridge was well stocked. I hadn’t eaten all night, so I wolfed down a Toblerone bar and still had enough room left over for … oh I don’t know, a full dinner? I was scavenging through the fridge trying to make my mind up about the main course. I was deliberating between Ritz Bits and M&Ms when I heard noises outside the door. I grabbed the M&Ms and my service automatic and walked quietly to the door. Anyone could have been on the other side. It could have been Donovan or one of his henchmen, but the giggling I heard said differently. I could picture Tay’s voluptuous buttocks pressed against the door and her date’s hands roaming over her body, like sponges across the hood of a Bentley at a brushless carwash. Tay’s date had a deep, muffled voice, so deep I couldn’t really understand what he was saying. I had a vague image of the guy in my head. He had a full face, a broad grin, and as I remembered, he had kind of that Barry White thing going on. I could just imagine Tay benignly fending off his advances and giggling while Barry wooed her with, “My darling, I can’t get enough of your love, babe. Girl, I don’t know, I don’t know why. Can’t get enough of your love, babe. Oh, some things I can’t get used to. No matter how I try. Just like the more