Page 89 of Undercover Desires

I glance at Jett. We both know we're running out of time. The FBI will be here any minute, but I can’t leave without her. Whenshit goes down, she could get caught in the crossfire. “Can you get another board off?”

“It took me half an hour to get this one off, and I don’t know how much time I have before they get back.”

Jett grins as he finds a shovel next to the house and passes it to me. “Stand back,” I tell her.

“Kobe,” she pleads with me, shaking her head. “He will kill you if he spots you.”

“Stand back, babydoll,” I demand again, my eyes meeting hers, imploring her to cooperate for once in her life. I want her out of there before they get here. He can kill me, I don’t care. As long as she’s safe.

This time, she obeys my command with a swift, fluid motion. I swing the shovel with controlled force, and it connects with the window, causing it to explode into thousands of glimmering shards. The boards cave in along with it, opening up the entire window. Carefully, I wield the shovel to clear away most of the glass, creating a safe passage for her.

“Come on,” I urge her. I extend my arm through the opening, reaching in to help her. She tiptoes delicately over the jagged remnants of glass until she's within arm's reach. Her hand finds mine, a silent reassurance in the midst of the chaos.

Just as I start to pull her through the shattered window, the door swings open with a sudden force, and the burly man charges inside, slamming it shut and using his formidable frame to barricade it.

Her gaze shifts from me to the man. “Please, Duncan,” she pleads, a mixture of fear and recognition in her eyes. She knows him?

“You need to hurry,” he insists, his voice urgent. “Reader sent me to deal with the commotion while he preps for the arrival of the feds, but your time is running out.”

“What are you going to do?” she asks, her voice trembling with panic, genuine concern for his fate evident in her eyes.

“Don't you worry about me, missy,” he reassures her with a stoic nod.

I grasp her arm in a firmer grip, urging her to move quickly. “Thank you. Dad would be proud, and Brandon too,” she tells him. She steals one more longing glance back at the burly man, then allows me to assist her through the window with great care.

Dad and Brandon.It can’t be. But I don’t have time to think it over. We have to get her out of here.

Jett holds his gun poised in front of us, prepared to defend against anyone who might threaten our escape. The three of us reach the far end of the building, and Jett peers around the corner, scanning for any signs of danger.

As Reader emerges from the side of the building, his menacing glare sends shivers down my spine. Instinctively, I push Bella behind me for protection. “Put the gun down, Jett. Don't resist arrest. The federal agents are en route. There's no way out, boys,” he sneers, smug satisfaction on his face, believing he has finally won.

Jett, his movements deliberate, slowly turns to face him and tosses his gun to the ground. The cold metal of my own weapon tucked into my waistband reminds me we have another option, but time is not on our side.

“Hands up, boys, where I can see 'em,” Reader commands, and we obey his order, raising our hands as instructed.

He comes towards us, his gun pointing from Jett to me, as if he's trying to decide who to shoot first. He's not waiting for the feds; he has another plan. “Don't hide from me, Hamilton. I need you for this to all work out.” He lunges towards her, but I block him with my body. He can do what he wants to me, but she's getting out of here. “Sneaky little bitch, get back here.”I sense her presence behind me, and with ninja-like precision, shedeftly retrieves the gun from my waistband and fires. That's my girl. We haven't come this far to let him win now.

Reader is propelled backward, his gun tossed into the nearby underbrush as he clutches his wound. She hit him right in the shoulder.

“Your girl’s got good aim,” Jett calls, impressed.

I wrap my arms around her and kiss her quickly.

Caleb sprints toward us across the field, his breath coming in ragged pants. “I can handle it from here. You three have about thirty seconds to vanish,” he says, almost out of breath.

“Detective Cross,” Reader moans in pain. He had no idea who he really was.

As much as I want to stay and deliver the justice he deserves, the thought of real time in lockup isn't worth it for this despicable cunt. We'll find our own way to bring him to justice later. I grab Arabella's hand, and together we sprint through the dense bush, down to the safety of the tree line, and up the hill to where Jett's car awaits.

I hop in the back with Arabella, needing to see that she’s okay. “Drive,” I tell Jett.

As Jett accelerates up the road, I steal a quick glance back and spot the federal vehicles pulling into the turn circle of the farmhouse. Caleb wasn't bluffing; they were dangerously close. “Are you okay?” I look her over, noticing her feet are bleeding.

“I’ll be fine, just some minor cuts.” I touch the side of her face, and she flinches like that one hurts. She’s all bruised up.

“Reader, he knocked me out. That’s how he got me to the farm.”

“That fucking cunt.” Anger radiates through me. Yeah, that fucker's time will come. I pull her closer to me and kiss the side of her face. She snuggles in like she really needs the comfort. It’s so good to have her in my arms. I’m never letting her goagain. “Next time, can you aim for the head or something more critical?” I laugh.

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