Page 19 of Reluctant Surrender

“Don’t overreact—”

His teeth snapped together, and he took a deep breath. “Two minutes. Every second over that will cost you.”

He looked at his watch. I didn’t bother asking what it would cost me. I already knew what was in store for me if I went with him.

But what was coming toward me might be worse.

“One minute thirty seconds,” he said in that low growl of his.

“I can handle him if he shows up.” I stood my ground. I’d weathered plenty in the last few months on my own. I’d escaped Sammy’s clutches once already; I could get away again.

He brought his icy stare to mine. I retreated another step; how could I not with such power rolling off of him that way?

“Maybe you can, but angel, I promise, you can’t handle me if you don’t do what you’re told right this minute.”

Chapter 9

Lukas

Ihated driving cars, but there was no way in hell I was putting Maggie on the back of my bike while Sammy Bertonelli had men out there looking for her. After she’d finally gotten her ass in gear and packed a suitcase, I’d tossed my keys to Andrezj. He’d ride my bike home while I put Maggie in the SUV with me. The woman wasn’t going to be three inches from my sight until everything was cleared up.

“I still think you’re overreacting,” she muttered while staring out the passenger window.

“You’re a smart girl.” I turned off the highway. “Which is why I’m so confused why you’re acting like a complete idiot.”

She gasped. “That’s nice.”

I lifted a shoulder. “Seriously, Maggie. You’ve been hustling at cards with some real dangerous men. Sammy Bertonelli is not going to let this slide. For fuck’s sake, he killed the guy who hired you.” My blood still ran cold knowing that she’d been moments away from the same fate, or worse.

“I know that,” she whispered, folding her hands in her lap. “I couldn’t stop them. I couldn’t think fast enough.” She took a shaky breath.

“How the hell did you get away?” I pulled onto my street, then made a quick left into my driveway.

She waited until I was parked before answering, “I tried to shoot him.”

My mind blanked. “You what?” I turned in my seat, sure I’d heard her wrong.

“I tried to shoot him. I’m sure I missed,” she said quickly.

“Tell me what happened,” I said softly, knowing I didn’t want to know but I needed to if I was going to help her.

“I told Stanley not to have any contact with me during the game that wasn’t natural. No looking at me before making a call to raise or fold, no private conversations, nothing that would make it look like we even knew each other. But he looked at me, right at me with Sammy sitting next to him already suspicious of his winning streak.”

“Okay, that’s how Sammy knew.”

“Yeah. Then there was yelling, everyone left, and they dragged Stanley outside. I didn’t think they’d kill him. I thought they were going to just beat him up. But then I heard the shot. And Sammy was staring at me, he wouldn’t let me go.”

“Go on.” I touched her shoulder when she stopped.

“So, I pulled out my little revolver and shot. But I had to have missed. He wasn’t close enough.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the smallest revolver I’d ever laid my eyes on. It looked more toy than weapon.

“You tried to shoot him with that?” I pointed.

“It’s good if the guy is really close, but he was across the table from me. So, I’m sure I didn’t hit him. I just needed to get out of the room.” She slid the gun back into her purse, leaned her head back against the headrest, and sighed.

“So, you didn’t just help cheat at his game, but you tried to kill him.”

“Not kill him. Get away from him,” she clarified, staring wide-eyed up at the ceiling of the car.

---