Page 71 of I Am Lioness

“Fine.” She conceded, turning away from me. “One five minute round, then I sign, and then you let him go.”

Jason holstered the gun and reached inside his jacket to retrieved his phone, dropping down into one of the two chairs. “Well, what are you two waiting for? Get on with it.”

“Hazel, don't.” I tried again as she tossed her hair up in a bun and shrugged off her jacket, letting it fall to the floor at her feet. When our stares collided, that feral gleam in her eyes was already there.

Nothing I said or did would have the power to talk her down. Her mind was firmly set and she was moving forward with her decision whether I liked it or not.

Coming to stand in between my legs, she leaned forward and cupped my face gently, her eyebrows knitting together. “This is gonna get ugly”—a thumb brushed over my cheek—“close your eyes and pretend we’re somewhere else, just the two of us. Maybe the beach or a cabin somewhere in the mountains.”

“You can't do this.” I implored her. “It has to be a trap.”

A pained expression flashed across her face. “I have to,” she said simply before leaving me with a tender kiss and retreating away to an open space in the room.

“Are you ready, ladies?” Jason asked amused.

Hazel brought her arms up, Lexi following her lead, and when they nodded in unison, Jason tapped the screen of his phone.

“The clock is ticking...”

Lexi wasted absolutely no time and rushed toward Hazel with a cocky grin. If I had the ability to clap at her stupidity, I would have.

Sure enough, as Lexi approached, Hazel swung out with an arm so quick, clocking Lexi right in the jaw. She stumbled backward, stunned from the blow, allowing Hazel a moment to pounce and trap her in a headlock, slamming her down onto the concrete.

Lexi howled and I was positive blood was about to start pooling around her head with how hard Hazel had thrown her down but somehow, she was still conscious.

That lasted for maybe fifteen more seconds because Hazel mounted her and threw down three forceful punches that most definitely knocked her out then.

Jason abruptly rose to his feet and began clapping like some deranged lunatic, whipping Hazel’s head in his direction. Her lip curled in a snarl as she watched him with that predatory stare.

Neither Jason nor I were expecting what she did next. With a growl, she was on her feet, barreling toward him in a full sprint. He dodged her assault though and spun her around with an arm curled around her neck, reaching for the gun at his waist.

Lifting it to her temple, he growled, “Try that shit again and I won't hesitate to pull the trigger.”

The chair screeched as I surged forward, panic and desperation seizing me the minute I saw the gun leave the holster.

“DON’T!” I roared.

The images that flitted through my mind were enough to make me go insane. I wrestled anxiously against my restraints once more, praying to God I could somehow free myself, but to no avail.

Amidst my frantic trepidation, I almost didn't see the metal bat that came out of the darkness and nailed the side of Jason’s head. His grip around Hazel’s neck slipped away and he toppled to the floor, revealing a very satisfied Emmanuel.

Thank Christ.

Hazel spun around and sucked in surprised breath, throwing her arms around the giant's neck.

“I told you not to come in, Manny.” She scolded him softly.

“How could I not, baby girl? Somehow I knew you'd be outnumbered.” He countered, wrapping her up in a tight hold. “Should I dial emergency?”

Lexi groaned from not so far away, reminding us of her presence.

“No.” Hazel said firmly, pulling away from Emmanuel. “Her and I have unfinished business.”

“And him?” He asked in reference to an immobile Jason.

“We’ll figure something out.”

Emmanuel nodded and glanced over to where I sat. “Let's get you out of these before dipshit wakes up, shall we?”

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