Page 268 of Hate Mates

“You let her go,” I growl through gritted teeth as I take a step toward them.

Price merely laughs, tugging Rachel closer to him. “I don’t think so,” he says. “I think I’ll keep her.” He licks his lips. “Like I said, it was her or the money, and I don’t see any big piles of cash lying around.”

My mind races. Few men can match me in a fight, but Price is one of them. And with Rachel as a potential shield, I can’t risk going all out. I need to outsmart him, not overpower him.

“You touch her, and I’ll end you,” I say with deadly calmness. My fingers twitch beside my hip. I need my gun that is still sitting behind the counter. How can I get to it?

Price laughs again, the sound reverberating around the ruined bakery. “As if you could.”

I let my gaze fall to Rachel, looking for some sign of her understanding. When our eyes lock, I give her a slight nod.

Chapter Fifteen

RACHEL

His nod is so subtle that I almost miss it.

Bracken has a plan, but God knows what it is. Can I even trust him?

Fear knots in my belly as the man’s grip tightens around my arm.

I sure as hell don’t trust this guy, so I have no choice. I have to trust Bracken.

“Let’s make this interesting,” the man says as he pulls me closer. “You want the girl back? I’ll give her back. But I’m fucking her first.”

“No!” I scream, trying to twist out of his hold.

I was fine letting Bracken have his way with me, even though I’d never allowed a man into that realm before. But there is no way in hell that this guy is going to lay a finger on me.

His grip is unyielding, and I yelp at the pain of his fingers digging into me.

“That’s not happening.” Bracken steps forward, his hands clenched into fists.

“I think it will,” the man taunts, and then he slithers his tongue over my neck.

Nausea claws at my throat, but I say nothing.

My heart pounds in terror. But then I remember Bracken’s slight nod, our silent understanding.

With a deep breath, I gather all my strength and drive my elbow into the man’s gut.

He grunts in pain.

When he loosens his grip, I slip free.

Chapter Sixteen

BRACKEN

The second Rachel breaks free from Price’s grasp, everything happens in a blur.

Price regains his posture. “Fucking cunt!”

Rachel bolts towards me, and I push her behind the counter, hoping she’ll find the gun.

“Bracken!” Rachel screams. I turn just in time to block a punch aimed at my face.

Our bodies collide in fists and grunts. Each hit we land on each other echoes in the ruined bakery, mixing with the sound of our labored breathing. The glass crunches under us as we fight.

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