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Page 381
door bashed the dresser forward. Denise winced and shoved herself back. Her right leg gave out. The door banged shut, and she dropped. The open drawer caught her rump. Wood splintered. The drawer broke away and she found herself sitting on a soft cushion of clothes. She flipped over, got to her knees, scurried forward and pushed her shoulder against the dresser just as the boys hit the door again.
The blow shook Denise, but she stayed on her knees. The dresser tipped for a moment before she and Tom could force it back.
'Buddy!' Tom suddenly called.
'Yeah?'
'Let's talk.'
'Nothing to talk about, dickhead.'
'Who do you really want?'
'Huh?'
'Can we make a deal?'
'Like what?'
'I can make it easy for you. I'll let you have the girls, but you've gotta promise to leave me alone.'
He's conning them, Denise told herself. Stalling for time.
Isn't he?
God, what if he means it?
'Yeah, sure, okay,' Buddy said.
'How do I know you won't try to nail me if I let you in?'
'You got my word, man.'
'Cross your heart and hope to die?'
'Yeah, fuck. Cross my heart.'

 
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