Page 17 of Protected By the Ranger

The threat stings as sharply as the cold. I push through the pain, each breath ragged and loud. The snow slows me down, every footfall an agony.

Behind me, Rick’s footsteps crunch closer. I can feel him gaining on me. I scream for help, my voice breaking the stillness of the forest. The desperate cry echoes back at me.

I glance back and see Rick struggling to keep up. His leather shoes slip in the snow. The sight gives me a flicker of hope. Gideon must have custom-made shoes for snow. But the gap is closing. Rick’s anger fuels him forward.

The cabin looms ahead, peeking through the dense trees. I push through the pain, each breath a jagged shard of ice in my lungs.

As I near the cabin, my heel slips on a patch of uneven snow. I stumble, pain shooting up my leg. Gritting my teeth, I force myself upright.

Just then, Rick’s rough hand clamps down on my arm like a vice. He yanks me back with a force that makes me wince. I try to pull away, but his massive build hulks over my petite body.

He shoves me, and I crash onto the icy ground. Snow floods my mouth and nose, choking off my breath. Desperate, I scramble to move, but Rick’s growl pierces the cold air. “Gotcha now!” he snarls.

Terror grips me as I fight against his crushing hold. His fingers dig into my wrist, “This time I won’t let you get away. You fucking belong to me!”

“No, I fucking don’t!” I scream, but he backhands me, the impact blurring my vision with black spots. His knee presses into my wounded leg, sending sharp pain shooting through me.

“You’ll regret playing with my feelings, you dumb bitch,” Rick hisses, pinning me down. His hands wrap around my throat, strangling me. I thrash wildly, my vision narrowing as I struggle to breathe.

Just as I’m about to lose consciousness, someone wrenches Rick’s crushing weight off me. I cough violently, my lungs burning. Blinking rapidly, I see Gideon wrestling Rick into a chokehold. My injured leg collapses, and I fall back.

Rick kicks viciously at Gideon’s knee, trying to break free. Gideon lands a punch on Rick’s jaw, but Rick fight back with a frenzied energy.

In the chaos, a flash of light reflects off the knife, blinding Gideon. Seizing the moment, Rick yanks me to his chest, pressing the cold steel of the blade against my throat.

The sharp edge sears into my skin like a branding iron. I feel its stinging pressure lightly dig into the soft flesh of my neck. I try to keep upright on my bleeding leg.

Rick’s voice drops to a menacing whisper, his breath hot and stinging with alcohol. “Is this the guy who fucked you, bitch? Don’t worry, I’ll fuck you better.”

“Let us go, you bastard,” Rick snarls at Gideon, who watches us with a fierce, lethal focus.

“Why? You want her. I want her too,” Gideon taunts, his voice calm but edged with defiance. “Let’s settle this man to man. Or are you only man enough when hiding behind a camera?” He steps forward, his movement stealthy, unnoticed by Rick.

Despite his biting words, I can see the worry in his eyes. My heart aches at the sinking realization that this could be the last time I see him. My mind races, searching for a way out, but my strength is fading fast.

Rick laughs mockingly, “I’d love to chop you up in pieces for putting your hands on her, but I am not here to fight you. I am just here to take my girl home.” He announces that and wraps his other hand around my waist, pulling me against him.

Gideon looks me up and down, taking in my weak condition. His gaze meet mine and he sees the terror in my eyes.

The sharp command, “Drop your knife, asshole,” slices through the air. Rick’s foul weight is abruptly ripped away from me. I turn to see a man in the sheriff’s uniform, his gun trained on Rick’s temple, his onyx eyes blazing with controlled rage.

Rick’s body goes rigid, and his face contorts into a snarl. He points the knife at the officer, but it’s a terrible mistake.

In a swift, practiced move, Gideon tackles Rick down to the ground. He twists his wrist until the knife slips from his hand.

As the officer pulls Rick away, Gideon envelopes me in his arms. The shift from Rick’s vile grip to Gideon’s warm embrace makes me sob with relief. I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his woodsy scent.

When I begin to shake uncontrollably, Gideon’s voice is a balm on my nerves, “I’ve got you, baby. I’m here. You’re safe now.” I cling to his promise like a lifeline. Hot tears stream down my face as I grapple with the overwhelming relief of escaping death.

I turn to see the sheriff put Rick in handcuffs. Liam Gallagher, I faintly recall the name Gideon mentioned yesterday. At 6’4, the officer stands taller than Rick, easily fending off his futile struggles.

Putting him in the car, Liam approaches us cautiously. His deep-set black eyes hold a concern that softens his stern demeanor. “You’re going to be okay, Ariel,” he says, his voice a low, soothing rumble.

“Thank you,” I manage to say, my voice shaky but genuine.

Liam’s lips curl into a playful smile. “Hey, don’t mention it. It’s not every day I get to play the hero for such a beautiful woman.”

I chuckle at the unexpected compliment, and nod at him once. He looks at Gideon, his voice dropping to a serious note, “I’ll take care of him. If you need anything, call me.”

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