Read Online Smoking Hot by Karen Kelley - Free Book Online

said. You know I don’t like closed-in spaces. I’m claustrophobic.” He turned in her direction, swinging the flashlight around the room.
    Raine quickly ducked. The beam of light swept past her without pause. She tentatively raised her head. Bulldozer had his back to her again. She didn’t recognize the voice, but that didn’t mean a thing because the black ski mask he wore muffled his words.
    Another man stepped from the vault. He was dressed similar to Bulldozer—dark clothes and a ski mask pulled over his face—but he wasn’t as large. He shined his light directly on Bulldozer.
    Bulldozer stumbled back a step. “I’ve got asthma and this mask is making it hard to breathe, and this sweatshirt itches.” He tugged at the collar.
    They’ll be wearing black ski masks. One of them will be tugging on the collar of his dark sweatshirt as though it’s scratching his neck.
    A cold chill of foreboding enveloped her. She quickly shook off the feeling. It was only a coincidence.
    â€œWill you shut the fuck up? As soon as we get these bags loaded we can get the hell out of here. Quick and easy, just like I told you.” He grabbed the flashlight out of Bulldozer’s hand and shoved against his shoulder. “Now get in there and fill those other bags.”
    Apparently, he was the leader.
    Bulldozer quickly ducked inside the vault. “It’s dark in here” came his muffled voice.
    The leader mumbled something Raine didn’t catch, but she would bet it wasn’t pretty. She was starting to feel like she’d been cast in a bad B-movie and she already knew the ending. What? Was she actually starting to believe the intruder? Maybe he was right about the bank being robbed, but not about her dying tonight. No one was that good at predicting the future, and she had a different ending in mind.
    She weighed her options. There were two burglars and one of her, but she had the advantage since they didn’t know they were being watched. Foiling a bank heist might get the other deputies off her back. She hated office politics.
    As much as she wanted to take these idiots in without asking for help, it wouldn’t be the smart move. Raine knew she had to go back the way she came and wait for the perps to leave. They wouldn’t stand a chance when they made their escape down the alley because she and the other deputies would be waiting.
    She was nearly to the door when the quiet of the night was shattered by a souped-up car zooming down the street a few blocks over. The car’s muffler growled like a lion ready to feed. She knew the car from the sound—a red 1980 Mustang that belonged to seventeen-year old Cory Bradley. He had way too much time on his hands and extremely indulgent parents.
    Raine froze at the same time the thief’s flashlight made another sweep. The beam swept past her before she could get out of its path. The light swung back in her direction.
    She had no choice. “Hands in the air,” she yelled as she faced the robber, her gun pointed directly at him. He reached for the ceiling. “You, inside the vault, get out here where I can see you.”
    â€œI told you this wasn’t a good idea,” Bulldozer said as he stepped out.
    â€œShut up!” the leader growled.
    â€œHands in the air,” she said again. “If you don’t think I won’t put a bullet in you, just try me. I haven’t shot anyone since I patrolled Fort Worth’s north side and I might be a little trigger happy.” She’d never actually shot anyone, but this was a need-to-know situation.
    Bulldozer reached toward the ceiling.
    The hairs on the back of her neck tingled again. She frowned.
    There will be a man behind one of the desks who sees you enter the bank. When he bumps the chair behind the desk, you’ll turn toward him. His gun will discharge. The bullet will hit you center chest. You’ll be dead before you hit the