Page 50 of The Chance

“I have her, Hiller. Howard’s yours.” Laird was there in an instant, pulling her out of the way and behind him. Where she would be safe. No one was getting through the tank that was McCoy Laird. He made Guthrie look like a puny scarecrow.

That was all Guthrie was waiting for. Her to be safe, out of the way. It was time to bring this bastard down for daring to touch her.

Howard yelled. He charged. Toward Aubrey. He was hyperfocused on her. Well, Guthrie wasn’t having any of that.

He tackled the guy. He’d grown up with four brothers. He’d played every sport imaginable for the Value school system. And he was big and strong and a hell of a lot younger.

And he was fighting for her. Guthrie brought the guy down. Hard. “Stay there.”

“I’ve got him now, Hiller. Tend to your girl. I think she needs you. He did a number on her. We need to get her upstairs.”

Laird grabbed Howard and almost threw him across the floor. Howard didn’t get back up.

Guthrie heard voices, men yelling out. Then the Carringtons and Alvaro and others were there.

But his eyes were only on her.Aubrey.

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Aubrey barely registeredthe ache in her throat or the blood on her hands as she fought to stay upright. Her arm was broken now, badly. And the pain—she knew she was going to crash very soon. Adrenaline…

But Dr. Laird was there. He was between her and the men now.

Dr. Laird looked at Mandy. Aubrey did, too.

Laird just shook his head. “You know what—I don’t even want to know.”

All Mandy had on were scrub pants—and Justin Michaels’s shirt.

Someone else was tying Dr. Howard’s hands—with Dr. Laird’s tie.

Thor Laughlin.

Caine was helping him.

Caine was there. Dathan and Jordan Carrington. Ten Laughlin and his brother.

She was safe now.

Guthrie was right there.

Dr. Michaels was on the ground, writhing. His face was all bloody. Jordan Carrington was leaning over him. “So what in the hell did Michaels do?”

“He—tried to stop him. Dr. Howard. Dr. Howard attacked Michaels. After he attacked me.” Aubrey didn’t believe it herself, but she’d seen it, heard it. “Dr. Howard was stealing, billing fraud. And pills. And Dr. Howard was angry at me for Thor’s investigation. But I tried to tell him—I had nothing to do with the billing fraud investigation. But he wouldn’t listen. Michaels said something…he was looking for proof of what Howard was doing, I think. But Howard wouldn’t listen to me.”

“He wouldn’t,” Thoreau Laughlin said. He had the same intense blue eyes as his brother. “Men like him—he was angry. And you were the closest female target. I’m sorry you got pulled into it.”

Aubrey just nodded, though it hurt. Thor’s hand came up to help steady her. But…she was crashing fast. And she wanted…Guthrie. But… “My arm is broken. And… someone needs to get my sister.”

She looked at Guthrie. “Can you have Gunn get my sister?”

“We’ll take care of her, baby. I promise.” Then Guthrie’s arms were around her. And he was lifting her. “I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. I came as fast as I could, as soon as we realized you were in trouble.”

“How did you know?” She pressed her head to his neck. She was going to let him take care of everything now. Guthrie was there. It was okay now. “I didn’t get to hit send on my text. I was trying to text you, but he stopped me.”

“The little green dot on the app. As soon as I realized you needed me. It even tracks underground. I was on my way. I will always come for you when you need me, baby. You can count on that. Always.”

His arms were around her. Guthrie lifted her from the floor. Aubrey just pressed closer, letting the scent, the feel of him surround her. She was going to be okay now.

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