Page 52 of Guarded from Corruption

It starts.

Four dark figures emerge from the trees.

They’re a blur of movement across the parking lot.

I race toward the car, Xavier’s soft footsteps echoing mine.

My teammates converge on the unsuspecting men, yanking them away from the car and taking them down in a flurry of nearly-silent moves.

Quick snapshots of action register—Dante pinning one man to the ground, Erik flipping the other one over and slamming him down—but my focus is on Jade.

On the trunk.

Please let her be okay.

I almost crash into the car in my hurry to get to her.

In the second that it takes for Xavier to pop the trunk, I hold my breath.

She has to be okay. We planned everything. Her vitals were fine. Nothing happened that wasn’t supposed to.

Still.

I need to see her. Need to be sure.

The trunk releases, and I fling it open with trembling hands.

Jade.

Unconscious, her lashes a dark sweep against her pale cheeks.

She’s curled on her side, so achingly vulnerable in her pajamas, and when I spot the zip-ties around her wrists, a low growl rumbles in my chest.

My lungs seize as I reach toward her.

Then I feel the reassuring thrum of her pulse and I can breathe again.

I gather Jade in my arms, hugging her limp body to my chest. Her head lolls on my shoulder, and I can’t resist taking a moment to kiss her forehead.

“Get her out of here,” Xavier murmurs from behind me. “I’ve got your back.”

Yes. Get Jade away from this terrible place.

While my teammates keep the building secured until the police show up, my job is keeping Jade safe.

Once I get back to our SUV, I slide into the backseat, still holding Jade. Xavier stands guard, his Sig at the ready in case anyone approaches us. Not that I think they will, not with Rhiannon and Matt guarding the exits, but we’re not leaving anything to chance.

My heart squeezes as I cuddle Jade to me; so damn thankful to have her back in my arms.

I stroke her soft cheek, telling her over and over, “You’re safe. I’ve got you. You did it, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

She’s still unconscious, still under the effects of the sedative, but her warm skin and steady breaths reassure me she’s going to be okay.

And then, when the police cars finally arrive—silently, as to not alert the people inside—Jade’s eyes flutter open.

Still groggy, she blinks at me. Voice slurring, she asks, “Is it over?”

My heart squeezes. “Yes, sweetheart. It’s over. You did such a good job.”

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