Page 194 of Menace in Vegas

“Don’t come any closer!” Landon screams. “Either she dies, or I get Peyton!”

I keep my voice even. “Okay. Let’s talk. Just slow down. We can work this out.”

He starts backing away, dragging her with him, the blade still biting into her skin.

Panic, desperation, and terror fuse together inside me. I’m torn between the urge to run toward them or stay frozen in place so he doesn’t hurt my wife anymore than he already has.

“Landon!” Peyton’s voice cracks through the chaos like thunder.

Landon turns his head toward her, momentarily stunned.

And that second is all we need.

Gram appears from the side like a rabid gremlin in sea turtle slippers, swinging her oversized beach bag, and cracks Landon across the back.

The knife slips from his hand.

Allie elbows him and stumbles away, tripping in her haste.

Landon barely notices. He’s focused on Peyton, head still turned in her direction like she’s a mirage.

Daltyn launches like a missile, slamming into him with a roar that sounds like it’s been buried inside him for years. They hit the ground hard.

Daltyn doesn’t hesitate, just starts swinging.

I’m already at Allie’s side, catching her before she collapses. “I’ve got you,” I breathe, dragging her against my chest, my voice shaking. “You’re okay. I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you.”

I clutch her like I’ll never let her go again. Because I almost lost her. I almost lost everything.

A few feet from Allie and me, fists are flying.

Daltyn’s snarling.

Landon’s body is jerking under the impact.

Blood spatters.

Crack. A bone splinters beneath Daltyn’s fist.

Another punch.

Another.

And another.

Landon is no longer fighting or trying to defend himself.

But Daltyn’s still swinging.

“Daltyn!” Peyton’s voice breaks.“STOP!”

He doesn’t hear her.

Doesn’t see her.

He can’t see anything through his blinding rage.

“Daltyn,STOP!”

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