Page 212 of Cross & Crown

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He gave the woman a nod and a smile. “Tomorrow it is

then,” he said kindly. “Thank you, ma’am.” He turned away

from the door and pulled Kelly with him.

“Someone had a gun on her,” Kelly whispered.

Nick hummed and pointed toward the car, slipping Kelly

his gun while their backs were turned to the house. “I want

you to go around back, get in the house quiet.”

“Got it.”

Kelly headed around the corner of the house, disappearing

within seconds. Nick took out his phone and dialed Hagan. It

was still ringing when the door creaked open behind him. He

turned, holding the phone away from his ear.

A man stood with the woman in the bonnet, his arm

around her neck and a knife to her cheek. “Put that mobile

down,” he ordered. His was another Irish accent. “Get inside.”

Nick dropped his phone to the ground without ending

the call and put his hands behind his head, walking toward

the door obediently.

“You’re a cop?” the man spat. “Son of a bitch.” He

slammed the door behind Nick, and shoved the woman at

him, forcing them both through a doorway. “Get in there!”

Nick caught her and put an arm around her shoulders.

“You okay?” he asked as they moved into the other room.

She nodded jerkily. Nick walked her over to a nearby chair

and she sat, then he turned and stood in front of her. Only

then did he get a good look at the other players in the room.

There was one more man with a gun, and a third hunched

against the wall near the fireplace. It took a moment for Nick

to recognize him. Cameron Jacobs.

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