Page 78 of Conrad

She rounded on him. “C’mon, Conrad, why?—”

The front door banged open, the one by the kitchen, and then—“Get away from her!”

Conrad spun, put her behind him. “Back off!”

Her eyes widened at the two men who barreled in wearing warm jackets, hats, and boots, and holding weapons.

She put her hands up.

Conrad didn’t. He took a step back, pushing her toward the bedroom.

The first of the men held a gun on him. “Step away from Miss Pepper.”

What?

Oh . . .

And then her gaze fell to the second man. Blond hair, big—aw.“Geoffrey—what are you?—”

Except Geoffrey wasn’t listening. He came in, took two steps, and grabbed Conrad, pushing him away from her.

But Conrad spun away, disentangled himself, rounded.

Geoffrey slammed a fist into his sternum. Conrad huffed out a sound that hurt even her bones, and slammed into the wall.

“Stop!” She jammed up between them, her arms wide. “Stop!”

The first man—oh,and now she recognized Franco under all that body armor—held a gun on Conrad. “Step away from him, ma’am.”

“What—everybody calm down!”

Geoffrey grabbed her, pulled her away.

And then Franco stepped up, and just like that, swept Conrad’s feet out from under him. He landed with a grunt, started to roll, but Franco pounced on him, shoved him down.

“Don’t move,” he growled.

“Leave him alone!” She shoved Geoffrey, but he stepped in front of her again.

“Ma’am, just calm down?—”

“You calm down! Leave him alone—” She moved toward Geoffrey, and this time he held up his hand, let her pass.

She ran over to Franco. “Get off him!”

Probably unnecessary, because Conrad had rolled and, exhibiting his years playing tough hockey, landed a fist in Franco’s face, enough for the man’s hold to release. Then he tackled the security officer, slamming him into the kitchen floor before rolling away.

Geoffrey had stepped in front of her. “Back off.”

For. the.love. “He’s my boyfriend!”

Even Conrad stopped, looked at her, his eyes wide. But that was the game, right? Even if it felt true.

Franco bounced up, blood in his eyes, breathing hard. “Are you all right, ma’am?”

“Of course I’m all right—sheesh?—”

“Your car went off the road.” He glanced at Conrad, who still wore something fierce, almost dangerous, in his expression.

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