Page 33 of Mountain Protector

Ruby’s eyes meet mine over Holloway’s shoulder. I see the flash of relief, quickly masked by fear. She’s smart enough not to give away my position.

I move without hesitation. The first thug doesn’t even know I’m there until my arm locks around his throat, cutting off his air supply. He struggles, clawing at my forearm, but I’ve already calculated the exact pressure needed. His consciousness fades within seconds, and I lower him to the floor without a sound.

The second man turns at the slight noise, reaching for his weapon. I don’t give him the chance. My fist connects with his throat, crushing his windpipe. He staggers back, gasping, eyes wide with shock. I follow through with a vicious uppercut that snaps his head back. Blood sprays from his nose, splattering across the polished floor.

Holloway spins at the commotion, dragging Ruby with him as a human shield, the knife still at her throat.

“One more step and she bleeds,” he snarls, backing toward the door.

I freeze, my hands raised slightly. “You’re not walking out of here, Holloway.”

His eyes narrow, recognition dawning.

“Hunt Security, right? James Wilson’s hired muscle.” He laughs, a cold sound that raises the hair on my neck. “You’re too late. I’ve already won.”

“Let her go,” I say, my voice deadly calm. “This is between you and Wilson.”

“She is between me and Wilson,” Holloway spits. “His precious daughter. His only weakness.”

Ruby’s eyes lock with mine, and I see something shift in them. Not fear—determination. She gives me the slightest nod, and I understand immediately what she’s planning.

“You won’t make it to the door,” I tell Holloway, drawing his attention fully to me. “There are police outside. FBI. Your escape route is cut off.”

It’s a lie, but it makes him glance toward the window.

That’s all Ruby needs.

She drives her elbow hard into Holloway’s ribs, simultaneously stomping down on his instep with all her weight. His grip loosens just enough for her to duck away from the knife.

I lunge forward the instant she moves, my fist connecting with Holloway’s jaw with bone-crushing force. He staggers backward, the knife slashing wildly through the air. I grab his wrist, twisting until the blade clatters to the floor.

Holloway fights back with the desperation of a cornered animal. He lands a solid punch to my ribs that would have dropped a lesser man. I absorb the blow, countering with a strike to his solar plexus that drives the air from his lungs.

“Ruby, get back!” I shout as Holloway and I crash into a display case, shattering glass across the floor.

She scrambles away, grabbing her phone from the counter. “I’m calling the police!”

Holloway roars in rage, lunging for her. I intercept him, driving my shoulder into his midsection and slamming him against the wall hard enough to crack the drywall. His head bounces off the surface with a sickening thud, but he’s still fighting.

I block a wild punch, countering with a precise strike to his temple. His eyes roll back, knees buckling. I don’t let him fall, instead pinning him against the wall with my forearm across his throat.

“It’s over,” I growl into his face. “You lost.”

His eyes refocus, hatred burning in them. “This isn’t over,” he wheezes. “Not while I’m breathing.”

“That can be arranged,” I say, increasing the pressure on his windpipe.

“Clay.” Ruby’s voice cuts through the red haze of my rage. “The police are on their way.”

I ease the pressure slightly, allowing Holloway to draw a ragged breath. “You’re lucky she’s here,” I tell him quietly. “Otherwise we’d be having a very different conversation.”

I spin him around roughly, forcing his arms behind his back. Zip ties from my pocket secure his wrists tightly enough to make him wince.

“Sit,” I command, shoving him down against the wall. I do the same with his two unconscious men, securing them efficiently.

Only then do I turn to Ruby, my eyes scanning her for injuries. There’s a thin red line on her throat where the knife pressed against her skin, and her hands are trembling, but she’s standing tall.

“You okay?” I ask, crossing to her in three long strides.

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