Page 95 of The Eagle's Vault

We grappled and wrestled, trading punches and dodging out of each other’s way. I managed a few good jabs to his ribs before he retaliated with a well-aimed knee to my gut.

The pain was sharp and sudden. I gasped for air, but none came.

“Declan!” screamed Leigh. “Let me go, Isaac!”

Enzo tried to pin me. I twisted away from his grip, rolling across the floor in an attempt to escape him. But he was too quick and too strong, the sickening agony screaming through my body slowing me.

He landed on top of me again and pinned me face-down.

Grunting in frustration, I tried to buck up against him, but it was no use—he wrenched my arm up so high he must have been trying to tear it from its socket.

He leaned in and snarled, “How many of your team members do I get to kill tonight?”

His gloating would give me time for— Enzo launched off me.

I craned my neck to see a massive arm circling his neck from behind.

Rav.

Fucking hell, Rav had arrived.

I scrambled out from underneath Enzo and grabbed the gun while he and Rav rocked back and forth. Rav’s arm didn’t budge, and the thug’s resistance gradually slowed, until Rav eased the—thank god—unconscious man to the ground.

Jayce appeared from the shadows, zip ties in hand.

“You’re going to jail, you prick.” Daniel—who’d gotten up and out of the way during the fight—spat at the now-listless Enzo.

Leigh freed herself from Isaac’s protective grip and ran to me. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” I held her tighter and gritted my teeth against the stabbing in my chest. “But I will be. Pretty sure at least one rib’s broken.”

She pulled back, looking me up and down. “And your leg’s bleeding.”

“Is it?” I looked down, the crimson gash marring the beautiful thermal suit. “Well, shit.”

“I told you to wait for me,” growled Rav. “Sit down so I can check you over.”

“That was fun,” said Brie over my earpiece and through the phone Leigh still held. “Leigh, let the boys do their thing. We’ve got work to do.”

Chapter 37

Leigh

Isaacwrappedhisarmaround my shoulder. “How’s your head?”

Declan had fought to protect me, and Isaac had shielded me with his body. How had I decided I didn’t want a man’s protection anymore and then ended up needing it like never before?

“I’m fine, Isaac.” I gave him a thin smile. “Thanks for everything.”

Declan went to the far wall with Rav, his dark thermal suit slashed and glistening with moisture. Blood. My heartbeat should have escalated in panic at that sight, but it didn’t. Instead, I admired the way the suit clung to his lean frame, tracing the lines of muscles I’d recently discovered.

Isaac broke into my moment, dropping his voice. “Easy to forget you’ve got a boyfriend when he’s bleeding for you, huh?”

So much for the amazing brother routine.

“Finn and I broke up, Isaac. You might’ve missed that memo the first five times I told you.”

Before Isaac could retort about how unfairly I’d treated his buddy, Jayce slipped in next to me, her arms folded.

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