Page 7 of Rescued

I step from the truck and round to the opposite side until I’m leaning against the passenger door, watching in the light ofthe moon as the two argue. I don’t know what this asshole is doing, but if he steps toward her again, I’m going to beat the shit out of him.

I draw in a deep breath and rub the back of my neck as my face heats in the cool night. Kelly hollers something the man doesn’t like, and he charges toward her, pushing her against the wall.

He pushes her against the wall.

The last straw is pulled, and before I can fathom an appropriate response, my body is carrying me up the driveway, onto the front porch, and into the house like I own the place.

I pull my gun from my jeans and aim it at the man who doesn’t deserve the mercy I’m giving him.

Everyone is shocked, including Kelly. I want to stop and stare at her, hold her against my chest, tell her not to be afraid, but I’ve come in like a rocket and my brain isn’t catching up with my actions.

The man holds up his hands. “What do you want? I’ll give you anything.”

“I want you to get the fuck out.”

He shakes his head. “Anything but that. I’m not leaving her.”

I laugh. “You were just shoving her. You don’t give a fuck about her. Get out.” I step toward him and hold my gun on his temple. I’ve killed plenty of men at war, and while I don’t like making a habit of violence, I never hesitate to take whatever means necessary.

Kelly glances up at me. “Gentry?”Her tone is soft and sweet, just like I’d remembered.

“You know this guy?” the shaking asshole retorts.

Her pretty pink lips drop open. “I do.”

Our gaze sticks on one another, and though I have a gun pointed at a man I think is her husband, I can’t look away fromthe woman I’ve been longing for. She’s perfection. Her long dark hair is now sprinkled with strands of gray and she has fine lines that frame every gorgeous expression.

Fucking hell. I’m not sure I can leave without her.

My cock is stiff, despite the fact that I’m still holding the gun toward her husband. “You’re gorgeous.” The words slip from my mouth before I catch hold of them.

“This some kind of fuckin’ reunion. I’m right here, Kelly,” the man barks.

She glances toward me then toward the man shaking like a bitch. “That’s my ex-husband, John. He was just leaving.”

Ex husband. My heart swells.

Ex husband.I repeat the words over and over in my head.This man is her ex-husband.

The sliding door opens, and the asshole steps out, grumbling something under his breath about cops. I ignore the threats and lock the door before turning toward the woman I’ve been thinking about for years. It’s probably good I don’t know the details of why she and her ex divorced, or I’d want to bury him in the backyard. I get the impression this isn’t the first time he’s laid hands on her.

Kelly steps toward me. “You make a habit of this, busting into houses, waving around guns? Sounds like a good way to get killed.”

I laugh. “First time, actually. I was driving by, and I saw the scene through the window.” It’s not entirely true, but it sort of is. “You okay?”

She rolls her eyes and relaxes her shoulders as though she’s making the conscious effort to do so. “Yeah, I’m good. If good is seeing a man you haven’t seen in ten years suddenly in your living room… then ya, I’m good.”

My heart aches and my palms itch to touch her. Without thought, I reach out and pull her close. It’s not a move I intend, but it’s one my body craves.

Her mouth opens slightly, and her gaze drops to my lips and up again.

My cock stirs and my heart slams harder against my ribcage.What the hell is happening?Maybe it’s wishful thinking, butsomethingis happening. Time is slowing. She’s breathing faster. I’m stumbling over what to say next. Energy is flowing.

I brush a strand of hair from her face. “Lord, you don’t know how long I’ve thought about this.”

She grins. “Busting down my door and pulling a gun on my ex?”

“Kind of, yeah,” I laugh. “And this… you haven’t changed a bit.”

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