Page 185 of Protective Heroes

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, followed by a rush of dread up her spine. She cringed inwardly. One point for the bad guy.

She gulped in air. She’d never seen such malice in one person. What happened to make him change so much? Looking in his eyes was like looking in a pit of tar. Nothing ever escaped. How had she missed that earlier? On second thought, maybe she hadn’t. Bautista was obviously skilled at hiding his true nature from most, but Dyson had seen the real man beneath the persona.

She took a step back and into a wall of muscle. She was so focused on the danger before her she’d forgotten about the one at her back.

“You guys really know how to work a room,” she muttered more to herself than to the man standing way too close for comfort. Her attention flicked over to where Dyson knelt. He tilted his head down a fraction before mouthing, Trust me.

She blinked her understanding, then turned her attention back to Bautista. “¿Sabes que? You know what? Take whatever offer you have, and leave. I’m nowhere near interested anymore.” Anger clipped her words.

Hatred flared in Bautista’s eyes. He struck out with the back of his hand so fast she had no chance to block. Pain shot through the side of her face. She gasped and gritted her teeth. The taste of copper filled her mouth.

In a blur of skin and gun metal, Dyson moved on the men guarding him. She ducked behind the first thing she saw in an effort to get the hell out of the way.

Rapid gunfire rang in her ears. Shallow, ragged breaths shook her chest. Male voices called out in both Spanish and English, followed by thuds and metal against metal. Then all went silent above the roar in her head.

Hands grabbed her and pulled her from where she crouched behind the overstuffed sofa.

She struck out, palm angled up to take out the attacker’s nuts or nose. Whatever was closer.

“Whoa there, precious, it’s me. You’re safe now.” Warm fingers wrapped around her wrist a moment before strong arms gathered her up and pulled her close. Dyson’s scent worked to calm her nerves as he knelt beside her.

“¡Gracias a Dios!” Shay threw herself into Dyson’s embrace. “Thank God.” When she woke this morning everything was fine, then she blinked and the jaws of life were prying back the wreckage. No more blinking.

A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest. His heartbeat steady beneath her ear. She had no idea how he stayed so calm in all the chaos.

“Remind me never to piss you off. That was one wicked uppercut.” Dyson leaned down, his lips poised to claim hers.

“So how’s my little cuz?” Diego walked up behind Dyson and leaned over his shoulder. “Everyone all right here?”

Shay pulled back, but not before Dyson gently kissed her lower lip tenderly, where Bautista had caught her with his backhand. “I’ll make it all better, soon, baby,” he whispered softly for only her to hear. The heat in his eyes told her they were far from being over. Dyson stood, pulling her up with him and into his arms in a single fluid motion.

“Primo.” She hugged Dyson tighter while looking at her cousin. “What are you doing here?”

Dyson started. “When we left the bungalow, I caught a tail. While you showered, I phoned Diego again when we realized Bautista’s interest for you didn’t fade with him leaving the wedding. Then I phoned our CO.”

Diego picked up from there. “After a quick rundown of the situation, our CO called in a couple of friends in the police force here in Cabos. When the name Bautista was mentioned, everything snowballed from there. He’s been on their high priority list for the trafficking of an illegal substance, and most recently, young women. According to the local PD Captain, the word on the street is he’s been looking for a mule to help him cross his merchandise between the borders.”

“Looks like he had his sights set on one pretty Latina and her tiny, unsuspecting flower shop.” Dyson caressed the back of his finger along her cheek.

“That’s crazy. I don’t have any clients this side of the border. How could I possibly help him?”

“To him, your shop was the perfect setup. Small enough not to draw attention. Clients are easy enough to fake. And I suspect, once he found out you were in trouble, he planned to masquerade as your savior long enough to dig his hooks in.”

Shay stared. Could tonight get any worse?

“Señores, we’re done.” A portly man with fine lines creasing the rim of his eyes walked up to them. “We’ll be taking Bautista in along with the one man you left breathing.” The officer cocked a brow at Dyson. “Don’t be going anywhere. We’ll be in contact.”

“I’m not going anywhere and he’s lucky to be breathing. No one threatens a woman in my presence and walks away. Especially if she’s mine.” Dyson’s piercing eyes held her captivated as he spoke. Possessiveness sounded so damn hot when he said it like that.

“Hey, I need to get back to my new wife. On the way I’ll call the CO and fill him in on the latest Ward adventure. Keep a phone handy. I’m sure he’ll be in contact.”

Dyson slapped Diego on the back. “Couldn’t ask for a better friend. Thanks, man. I owe you.”

“For damn sure, bro. Catch you on the flip side.”

“Wait, before you go, the man by the stairs. He’s the one from the bungalow,” Shay added.

“I’ll let the overseeing officers know, sweetheart. You guys settle in for the night. The alarm is reset so you should be good. And by the looks of it,” Diego’s eyes roved over her marked neck “… you guys have some unfinished business of your own to take care of. Take all the time you need. The wife and I have the honeymoon suite reserved for a couple of nights.”

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