Page 1 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Chapter One

Grant

Manhattan, NYC 1985

I’m too old for this bullshit.

Rob and Arthur are lucky we’ve been friends for as long as we have. When Rob called to say he had an issue and needed my help, it took all my effort not to tell him to drop dead.

But my conscience wouldn’t let me roll over and go back to sleep. So now I’m standing in Arthur’s sister’s apartment with an irate cat burglar fighting me.

Why didn’t he call the cops? Rob’s explanation is simple. The woman broke in, and he didn’t want the hassle of paperwork. I can’t say I blame him. I’m just irritated to have been torn from the comfort of my bed at this god-awful hour of the morning. Seems like he forgot I don’t handle petty breaking and entering bullshit. I’m strictly homicide.

“I’ll take care of her.” I hook my hand around the thief’s arm and drag her to her feet.

She tenses under my grip. Her narrow eyes take me in, like she’s looking for a soft spot on my throat to sink her teeth into.

I meet her gaze, unflinching, hoping she catches my unspoken warning—if she doesn’t behave, she’s gonna wish they had called the cops. My grip tightens as I pull her toward the door.

The reality of her situation finally reaches her stubborn brain. “Wait, don’t let him take me! Call the cops. But don’t let him take me. Please.” Panic fills her wide green eyes.

Doesn’t matter how young or pretty she is, she crossed the wrong person today. I’m in no mood to negotiate.

“Please.”

Her pleas do nothing to my cold, dead heart. She fucked up and she knows it.

“It’s too late, kid. You’re my problem now.”

She fights my hold, clawing at my hand on her arm. I pull her against me with a firm tug.

“Keep it up,” I whisper in her ear. “And I’ll make sure you’re locked up so tight, you’ll never see sunshine again.”

The hellcat stills immediately, pressing her lips together in irritation.

“Thanks, Richards.” Rob waves. “See you next week.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I turn to Arthur’s sister. “Good night, ma’am.”

The moment we step into the hallway, the door locks behind us. Exhaustion creeps over me. What the hell am I going to do with this stray cat who seems hell-bent on causing trouble?

She stumbles behind me as we make our way down the hall. Silence then fills the elevator as we descend to the ground floor. When we step into the May air, she tries to break away from my grip. I glance at her, amused by her futile attempt to escape.

“Please, let me go.” She bats her thick dark lashes. “I promise I’ll behave.”

I scoff. “Sure, kid, and I’m Superman.” The soft flicker of neon light filters through the street. “Come on.”

She mumbles, and I pull her alongside me down the street. When a diner comes into view, my stomach growls. A late-night diner is a perfect place for me to question this little street rat to see if she’ll be of any use.

Inside, the middle-aged waitress glances up from her station. “Morning,” she calls out. “Sit anywhere.”

I nod in thanks and take a booth at the back of the diner. The thief slides in first, and I sit next to her to block her escape.

“What can I get ya?” The waitress appears with two menus.

“Two coffees.” I glance at the breakfast selection and choose two basic dishes without consulting my unwilling companion. “Thanks.”

I give the menus back, and she disappears into the kitchen.

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