Page 6 of Relentless

“And if I don’t?”

An ugly smile curved the other man’s mouth. “I’ll shoot her, then kill you. In fact, I kind of like that idea. Get rid of the broad and you at the same time.” His hand tensed around the stock of an HK, forefinger stroking the trigger.

Although Liam longed to assess Piper’s injuries, he didn’t dare. He had to remain focused on the target.

Liam saw the exact moment the kidnapper made his decision. The choice had just been taken from Liam’s hands. “Piper, do you trust me?”

“Yes.” No hesitation.

Thank God. “Close your eyes and drop.”

Piper lifted her feet and slipped from the man’s grip.

Liam pulled the trigger. The kidnapper’s body went limp as part of his head disappeared in a pink mist.

“Liam.” Piper remained stock still on her knees, eyes still closed, her expression one of terror.

He scrambled from the ditch, shoved his weapon into his thigh holster, and whipped off his black t-shirt. “Keep your eyes closed for another minute. You’re safe now.”

“Are you hurt?”

That made him pause for a second before he raised his cloth-covered hand to wipe Piper’s face. “I’m fine.” Aside from his mother and sister, no woman had ever worried about his safety. When he’d been active-duty military, women had seen the uniform, not the man. As a result, he hadn’t dated much.

The situation hadn’t been much different in Otter Creek. The women in town knew he worked for PSI and they were fascinated with his job, not him.

Piper was the exception. She never asked about his work other than wanting to know if he or his teammates were injured each time he returned from deployment. Other than that, she seemed content to let him share what he wanted about his work, concentrating on getting to know him when they were together.

After making sure her face was cleared of blood and brain matter, he did what he could with her hair and shirt.

“Is it safe to open my eyes?”

“Another minute.” Liam crouched beside her and laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to carry you to my SUV. It’s safer than standing at the roadside.”

“Isn’t the danger over now?”

His gaze swept the area. “Not sure.” Liam lifted her hands to his shoulders and helped her stand. “Wrap your arms around my neck. My SUV is reinforced and has bullet-resistant glass.”

As soon as her arms encircled his neck, Liam bent and slid an arm behind her knees and lifted Piper against his chest. “Keep your eyes closed another minute.” He didn’t want her to see the men he killed.

He placed her on the passenger seat of his SUV. “You can open your eyes now.”

Piper blinked, then her gaze focused on Liam’s face. She launched herself into his arms.

Liam gathered her tight against his chest, grateful to have her in his arms once again. “I’ve got you.”

She shuddered. “Thank you, Liam.”

“I’m glad I was close enough to help.” He eased back and studied her face, focusing on the bruised and swollen cheekbone. Liam’s fingers brushed over her skin. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “He didn’t have a chance to do anything other than threaten to hurt me.”

He heard sirens in the distance and knew time was running out to get answers before he was separated from her. That thought didn’t sit well with him. He wanted someone he trusted with her at all times until he could take over her security. “What did the men want?”

Piper frowned. “Information and they threatened to kill my boyfriend if I didn’t cooperate.”

“Your boyfriend?” Was her abduction connected to him? Or were they referring to another man? Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Did they mention your boyfriend by name?”

She shook her head. “When can we leave?”

---