Page 48 of Royal Flush

“Get off her,” I bellowed as I neared, cognizant I was likely one of the only two people who wasn’t carrying a weapon. While I’d brought it with me as I always did when I traveled, I certainly hadn’t believed I’d need to carry the damn thing to a charity event.

As with anywhere else, evil lurked in the darkness.

And the two jerks almost managing to drag her kicking and writhing body into the back of the car weren’t amateurs. Someone had hired them to kidnap Jasmine. That wasn’t unheard of for the children of diplomats, but it wasn’t allowed on my watch.

One of the assholes had clamped his hand around her mouth and I was almost positive the streetlight provided a quick glance at a knife in his hand. While I needed to play this carefully, that didn’t mean there was any hesitation on my part.

My yell didn’t stop them, whoever the driver was revving the engine.

I grabbed one perp by the back of the neck, squeezing as I jerked him to face me. Nothing was in slow motion as I punched him in the face twice before tossing him aside like a rag doll. His weapon flew from his hand, spinning in circles across the pavement. I kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying a few feet in the other direction.

“Come on, fucker,” the second asshole barked. At least he tossed her aside, the shove hard enough to force her onto the pavement. He shifted the knife back and forth from hand to hand and I shook my head before kicking him in the gut.

The weapon went flying from his fingers, arcing high in the sky. I’d been trained in various methods of martial arts, deciding it was bet to use them at this moment. Entering into a fight had never felt so good or so justified as it did on this night.

I could tell I’d cracked one asshole’s nose by the blood that flew all over my shirt. He stumbled around to the other side of the car as the driver was screaming from inside that they needed to get the fuck out of there.

Hissing, I lunged forward, grabbing the fallen SIG-Sauer. The P232 wasn’t a weapon used by homeowners or basic run of the mill criminals. There was no doubt it was a professional hire.

Before the final asshole had a chance to scramble away, Jasmine had found the dropped weapon, now holding it out, the blade within inches of the third perp.

His eyes were wide open and he darted them back and forth between us.

While Jasmine’s hand was shaking, it was quite clear she was determined to go through with gutting the dude.

“You’re not going to do this, little koala. Those bastards aren’t worth it.”

“Bullshit!” she huffed.

I certainly wasn’t going to allow her to potentially ruin her life, and managed to wrap my hand around hers, taking the knife away with the other.

That was all the impetus the jerks needed, the last man jumping into the back of the sedan, tires squealing as the driver pushed down on the accelerator.

“Oh,” she half whispered, half moaned from beside me, but as soon as I gathered her into my arms, she broke down into tears.

“It’s okay. They’re gone. No one is going to hurt you.” I glared after the car, watching as the vehicle disappeared out of sight. The fuckers had blacked out the license plate. They’d also all been wearing black.

“Why? Why were they trying to kidnap me?” She pushed away from me, peering up with doe eyes.

“That’s what we need to find out. Come on. You’re coming with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe.”

At least she hadn’t tried to fight me when I’d half carried her through the lobby of the hotel to the elevator leading to the parking garage. I’d pocketed both the knife and the gun in hopes they would help me determine who was behind the attempt.

Given Jasmine was guarded about who she was and the reason she was in the city, I had a feeling getting any useful information might be like pulling teeth.

I pulled out, constantly staring into my rearview mirror. I sped through the streets swerving past one vehicle then the other, ignoring all traffic signs and lights.

“You’re a crazy driver,” she mused.

“Aren’t all Americans?” I laughed softly, turning a corner quickly enough that the tires squealed.

“You are something I’ll keep to myself.”

As I threw her a look, my cock continued to ache. She was more than just a handful.

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