One of the Boys

Published by Kimberly Pauley

Copyright 2004, 2011 Kimberly Pauley

Smashwords Edition

Originally published in Hardboiled, Issue #32, 2004

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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One of the Boys

By Kimberly Pauley

I cringed as another nervous giggle worked its way up my throat and erupted to echo flatly against the shabby crushed velvet interior of the El Dorado. Some gangster I was.

“Jesus, Riley, shaddup.” Higgins leaned over and slapped the back of my head with one of his meaty hands. I’d been expecting it, but it still hurt like hell. “You’re worse than a damn girl.”

“Sorry,” I muttered, trying not to sound wounded. You didn’t show weakness in front of the boss’s right hand man if you could help it, not if you wanted to stick around for long. “I can’t help it. Here we are on a job, sitting in the rain under a flickering neon sign.” I waved towards the flashing Sunset Motel sign, visible only as colorful steaks of light through the rain-streaked windshield.