Chapter 12
SHELBY’S HEART POUNDED SO HARD it made her lightheaded. She closed her eyes for a second, forcing herself to calm down. Philip had to feel confident in his win, so he’d come inside.
The guard had his rifle now pointed at them from around the door. He eased into the room and paused when he saw what Ava had pointed at his head.
“Remember,” she said. “I never miss. Tell your boss we want to parlay.”
“Mr. Shang,” the man called, “they want to talk.”
“Then have them come out—” Philip broke off when the bullet from Ava’s revolver hit the wall just an inch from the guard’s face, sending concrete chips flying into the open doorway. A little piece hit the goon’s cheek. A trickle of blood ran from the cut.
Shelby had jumped at the shot, and so had the man. For a second she thought he might open fire on them, but a sharp reprimand from Philip held him back.
“I spared your man at Ms. Nash’s request,” Ava said.
“Grantham.” Shelby kept her attention on the door and her hands hidden behind a fold of her skirt.
“At Ms. Grantham’s request.” Ava raised her voice.
“I want to negotiate terms, Philip. I can make it easy for you,” Shelby said, proud that the shaking in her hands hadn’t translated to her voice. “In here.”
“Is it safe?” Philip asked, his voice low.
“You mean except for the psycho pointing a gun at me?” the goon asked.
“Is Charles with you?” Philip raised his voice.
“He’s here, but he’s injured,” Ava said. “We need to come to an agreement so we can get him to the hospital.”
“Keep the rifle on Martinez,” Philip said, his tone none too pleased.
The guard sidestepped away from the door, opening the space for Philip Shang Senior to enter. He squinted for a second, allowing his eyes time to adjust to the dimmer light in the room. He pinned Ava with a hard look before turning his attention to Shelby.
“Where is Charles?” He scanned the room. “Is he really here?”
“First,” Shelby said, “I want to know why you’re doing this. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out why a man who’s spewed lectures about honor at me for the last decade would suddenly throw his own away.”
The hard look he’d given Ava now paled in comparison to the one he sent Shelby. His face worked as his skin darkened. Ava tensed beside her.
“You little—” He stepped toward her, but his man’s hand on his arm stopped Philip. He took a breath, and when he spoke, he’d gained control of himself again. “Do not speak to me of honor when you and your father know nothing of the word.”
Another time and Shelby would have bristled, but she saw the pain in the man’s eyes. “What happened, Philip?”
“You’re a fool if you think you can play stupid with me. Jakarta happened. I went there forhim. I took my wife—” His words choked off.
Jakarta? Where had she heard that? “What’s wrong with Riah?”
“Don’t speak her name.” He shouted, spittle flying, his eyes wild. It seemed to take great effort not to lunge at her. “Charles is going to suffer for what he’s done.”
“He’s already suffered.” Shelby made her voice conciliatory.
“Now,” Shang growled and made a quick motion with his hand.
His henchman fired. Ava jerked back and time seemed to slow. Shelby cried out, nearly dropping what she held, as the woman fell back against the crates. A chill spread through Shelby as she looked at Philip. He watched her, a nasty grin spreading across his face. His man pointed the rifle at her now. The space between her eyes prickled.
Calm filled her. Fine. If they were going to die, she’d make sure she took Philip with them. She moved her clasped hands from the folds of her dress and held the grenade for him to see. It was her turn to put on a nasty smile as she ripped out the pin. She squeezed the lever tight so it didn’t accidentally explode.
It took a second for Philip to register what it was. His entire body jolted back, as though she’d struck him. His shoulder hit the edge of the door. It almost closed, trapping him inside with her, shutting off most of the outside light.
