Page 120 of Crush

I’d been too cocky. As I dropped to my knees, I realised I had wrongly judged my opponent, Harker had been tough to bring down. My energy started to drain from my body as I fell forward, resting my weight on my hands against the driveway as I tried not to throw up.

It was at that point that Amber must have broken free from Dexter and she ran towards me and threw herself over my body, those slender arms wrapping across my back. She was panting uncontrollably and I faintly heard clapping and guffawing from the audience of gangsters. I pushed my hands off the ground and wrapped them around her body. Her scent hit my nostrils and gave me some strength, almost like it had the power to heal.

“Congratulations, Hunter,” I heard Kinlan say.

Feeling elated, I rested my eyes and breathed in Amber’s scent. It was a mistake.

Before I could open my eyes, it all went to shit as victory was lost. I felt Amber being tugged away from me and I lunged to grab her but missed. Harker had managed to push to his feet, having landed by the gun he dropped earlier. He now had it pressed against Amber’s temple, his hand holding her by the hair. Unshed tears lined her eyes as she stared back at me with a helpless expression.

She mouthed I’m sorry as I slowly pushed to my feet, raising my arms in surrender.

“Don’t do it. It’s over,” I said, my breath hissing through my teeth.

My heart was beating against my chest, all thoughts of my ribs and other injuries forgotten. He wouldn’t do it, he couldn’t. No!

I turned to glance at Kinlan, expecting what? Who fucking knew. The man had not moved from his position by the SUV and his men were staring at him, waiting for their instructions.

“Dosomething,” I yelled at him but he just glanced between us with a strange expression.

I pinned my glare back on Harker, “If you hurt her, I will end you!”

Kinlan shook his head, totally calm and unaffected that Amber had a gun to her head. He took a step forward and addressed Harker directly with a tut.

“Don’t tell me you’re going for the cliched ‘if I can’t have her no one can shite?” he said, questioning Harker with a chin lift. His hands were by his sides and I was thankful he hadn’t drawn his gun. He also motioned for one of his men who had slowly lifted theirs to lower it.

Kinlan shunted forward, moving slowly, reminding me of a panther before it struck.

“Well?” he prompted, coming to stand beside me, though not giving me the time of day. Panic surged through my chest. Is the fucker going to let him shoot her?

No!

“She belongs with me, she always has. I’d prefer to own her inthislife, but if I have to do it in the next, so be it,” Harker spat, a bubble of blood oozing down his chin. Amber continued shaking, her breath wheezing, her chest rising and falling as she held onto Harker’s wrist. The one where the hand was tugging her hair. I could see she was in pain as he twisted his fingers into those silky strands.

“So very predictable. But I’m bored now,” Kinlan then raised his hand into the air above his head.

I’d played enough Call of Duty on the Xbox to know that he was making a signal to shoot, and…

ZIP! The bullet sailed past us, causing me to flinch.

It pierced Harker’s skull in the centre of his head and it was over. There was hardly any blood, it looked more like someone had drawn a dot on his head with a red pen. A storm of emotion ran through my brain, it was the first time I had seen a man die in front of me.

Harker fell to the ground in a cold lifeless heap. Amber screamed and fell to her knees and I ran to her and dragged her shivering body into my arms, slowly backing us away from where the body was crumpled against the gravel. I knew there could have been another bullet out there with my name on but I didn’t care. I just needed to get her away from Harker. Keep her safe, shelter her from that ugly.

I flashed Kinlan an astounded look over her shoulder but he just shrugged.

“What? He was annoying me with his whiny bullshit,” he said defending his decision to off the fucker in front of us.

“You could have hit Amber,” I snarled and he chuckled.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Cillian is a crack shot with over twenty years of experience. I only employ the best.”

Turning away in disgust at how unfazed he was, I cradled Amber’s head as she attempted to look behind her. “Don’t look. Just focus on me, OK?” I whispered, not wanting her to see Harker’s lifeless body.

“Is he dead?” Amber said with a hiccup.

“He’s dead. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. The man has been involved in some sick shit in the past.”

Amber’s eyes widened in confusion so I changed the subject before she could dwell, “Are you hurt, did he hurt you?” I questioned, pulling back, my eyes assessing. Her face was white as a sheet.

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