Page 23 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

“Get moving.” He shoves her toward the cabin.

They'll be even with me in three seconds. Normally I could close that gap fast enough to take him by surprise. This injury makes that impossible. Fuck!

I should have taken the shot when he spun her around. Bella gave me the perfect opportunity. But I didn't take it.

Fear slithers in, whispering this time will be like the rest. That I'll fail her, too. My gut clenches.

No! I'll die before I let that happen.

The second they're even with me, I step out from behind the cabin, Glock raised. “Let her go.”

The convict jerks Bella in front of him and presses the barrel to her head.

“Back off! I just want out of here.”

“Not happening.” My voice is calm, controlled as I take a step forward, ignoring the pain. “Let her go, and I'll let you live.”

“No way, man. I'm not going back in. You don’t know what it’s like…” His voice cracks. “I didn’t even hurt anybody. I just want to get my life back.”

“By taking a hostage? How’s that going to go?”

The man grimaces, a look of grief crossing his face. Then he presses the gun harder against Bella’s temple. She flinches, sealing his fate. “Drop your gun and give me the keys to that truck, or I kill her right here.”

He's bluffing. She's his only leverage off this mountain. “You hurt her, and I'll drop you before you can blink.

A tremor runs through his hand.

I take another step.

“Stop,” he says, panic edging his voice. He moves backward, pulling her with him.

Bella meets my gaze. No fear, just trust—and determination.

I center my aim on his chest.

“Let me go, man,” he says, taking another step back.

Bella stumbles, dropping her weight. His grip slips, and she spins to the side.

The second she's clear, I fire.

Bam! Bam!

He drops, dragging her down with him.

I surge forward, ready to end this—but it's over. The gun slips from his limp fingers. I grab it and shove it in my waistband, then drag her into my arms. “Baby, are you okay? Did he touch you? Are you hurt?”

Bella clings to me, face buried in my chest. Trembles wrack her body, each one killing me.

“I'm okay,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “Is he...?”

I cup her cheek, not letting her turn. “Don't look. He's dead.”

She nods and hugs me tighter. “You rescued me.”

All the fear, all the pain, rips through me, cracking me open. A rough, animalistic sound rips from my throat. I sink to my knees, bringing her down with me. I can't let her go. I almost lost her.

If he'd had any more of a tremor, the gun could have fired. If he'd tripped instead of Bella... If I'd been too late...

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