Page 51 of Island Whispers

Nina was pulling away, twisting, and clawing at the brutal grip on her arm. Suddenly Spratt spun around and put a knife to Nina’s throat. “Oh, look.” He said to Nina. “It’s the abusive boyfriend.” He chuckled, the unpleasant sound grating in Boone’s ears. “People are so damn gullible.”

“Let her go,” Boone ordered.

“Counter offer,” Spratt snarled. “Leave now and you can live.”

Tears were tracking down Nina’s face. A red haze of fury narrowed Boone’s vision. “Let her go.”

“Can’t do that.”

“Should’ve left town when you had the chance. Prison is your next stop,” Boone vowed.

“Never going back,” Spratt declared. “Her body will be the message that ensures my freedom.”

This guy couldn’t be that dumb. The original video had been broadcast over regional news networks. He’d left witnesses back in the bar. The police would have a solid case within hours even if Boone let him go right now. For a bastard who refused to leave loose ends, he was only creating more of a trail. At this rate he’d have to nuke the city to eliminate all the witnesses and security camera footage.

“You’re attacking an innocent woman in front of countless cameras.” He gestured, hoping to distract Spratt. Didn’t work. “You’re done.”

“Not going back,” he repeated.

Boone’s mind raced as he tried to do the math. How long until Jess and Nash arrived? “Let her go,” he ordered. He spread his hands wide. “You can make a message out of me.”

“No!” Nina jerked against Spratt’s hold. “No.”

“You’re pathetic.” Spratt sneered. He dragged the tip of his knife down the column of her neck. The blade left little more than a scratch, but the message was clear enough. He’d carve up Nina without any remorse. “Accept defeat and keep breathing.”

Boone would never do that. He’d never leave her. Not unless she told him to go. He tried to fake resignation—he should slink away and circle back—but his body wouldn’t cooperate.

Fine. There were times when instinct should prevail.

He took a step forward and just let every dark and predatory thought show up in his posture, on his face. Spratt had made his choice. Boone was done with warnings and games. It was a calculated risk with that knife so close to Nina’s throat.

“Look at that. Your man is crazy,” Spratt declared, giving Nina a hard shake. He moved backward, but Nina didn’t go easily. She managed to step on Spratt’s foot, causing him to stumble so she could twist away from the knife.

Boone rushed in, capitalizing on the opening. He knocked the knife from Spratt’s hand and took him down to the hard pavement. The bastard moved like lightning, squirming out of reach and rolling away. Reaching for the knife.

Nina kicked the weapon under a parked car. The effort was admirable, but Spratt caught her ankle and yanked her down. She cried out at the impact, kicking at his face with her other foot.

Boone hauled Spratt off Nina and tucked her behind his back. He wanted to tell her to run, but the last time she was out of his sight, this guy had captured her. “Hold my shirt,” he ordered. Everything indicated the three of them were alone out here, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

Her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt, drawing it tight against his chest.

Spratt was on his feet. Instead of doing the smart thing and trying to escape, he dusted off his hands and pulled another knife.

Nina swore.

For once, Boone didn’t feel like laughing.

The men circled, sizing each other up. Boone had one hand on Nina’s hip, the other raised, ready to block. He only had to keep Spratt busy until the cops or Jess or Guardian Agency backup arrived. Preferably all of the above. Turning gave Boone time to assess the immediate area as he searched for a safe place for Nina to hide.

Spratt lunged, knife waving. Boone danced back and away. Nina moved with him, as perfectly in sync as if they were back on the dance floor.

Something to appreciate later. When they weren’t under attack with a lethal weapon.

The cold fury on Spratt’s face lit a fire under Boone to finish this. The man roared and came at them again, this time the knife held high. He was aiming for Nina. Boone blocked the incoming strike and darted backward, but he ran out of real estate and Nina got pinched between him and the side of the building.

He felt the wind get knocked out of her, worried that she’d hit her head as well, but she was still holding on tightly to his shirt.

He couldn’t effectively subdue Spratt and protect her. Had to make a choice. And if he miscalculated?

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