Page 29 of Protected By the Mountain Man

I twisted out of his arms like a damn eel, heart thundering in my ears.

“Run, Livy!” I screamed.

Then I barreled forward.

Livy’s captor wasn’t expecting me to go for him, and he didn’t react in time to get away. My knuckles connected with something hard—his face, protected only by the ski mask.

Livy didn't hesitate. She bolted down the hall, her small form a blur aimed straight for the back door.

“Go, go, go!” I screamed after her, every cell in my body ready to explode. If this was it—if these were my last moments—I'd go down knowing I did everything I could to keep that girl safe.

The guy I’d punched took off after her, and I tried to follow—but I didn’t get the chance, because knife guy was still after me. His blade flashed in the dim light, a cruel glint that promised pain. I ducked and weaved, adrenaline fueling my every move. He lunged, and I felt a sting slice across my arm—a bright line of fire that made my scream rip through the silence.

“Damn you?—”

But then—barking, snarling.

Bandit barreled through the dog door up front with a ferocious growl, then leaped right on the guy’s back.

“Fuck!” the man howled, his vicious curse filling the room while he tried to shake Bandit off. He thought it was just the dog…but I’d already seen what was coming up behind Bandit.

A monster.

Time seemed to slow down as I watched Gabe come through the living room, all corded muscle and clenched fists. This was the man I knew—the angry man, the one people in town feared because he could fly off the handle at any moment. I hadn’t seen him since that fateful summer, but now…it was a relief.

It was good to have someone like this on your side when the chips were down.

Before I knew it, Gabe had the guy up against the wall, hands around his throat. The intruder clawed at Gabe's grip, eyes bulging.

“Call 911, Kat!”

I fumbled for my phone, fingers slick with my own blood. My head swam for a second as I remembered Ben bleeding out…no, Kat, focus. Gabe let out a snarl and I realized he’d been stabbed.

That was the shock I needed. I dialed the emergency number.

It rang…it rang too many fucking times. I couldn’t do anything but watch as Gabe squeezed the man’s wrist until he dropped the knife, as they struggled?—

“Silver Ridge Emergency Services?—”

“We need help,” I said, voice surprisingly steady considering my heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest. “Intruders at Martin Ranch.”

“Units are on the way, ma'am. Stay on the line.”

“Hurry!”

I didn't add “before someone dies.” Didn't need to.

The intruder was getting desperate, and that meant more violence. With a guttural snarl, he shoved Gabe with all the strength he could muster from his compromised position. The force sent Gabe stumbling backward.

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath, watching in horror as Gabe's head connected with the unforgiving wall. He slid down it, unmoving, eyes closed.

“God, no,” I whispered, a lump forming in my throat. For a moment, I was back there, to the day I lost Ben—helpless and frozen.

But hell, this wasn't then, and I wasn't that same person anymore.

“Kat…?” Gabe groaned, barely audible.

He was alive. Relief flooded through me, but it was short-lived.

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