Page 28 of Rescuing Nathaniel

Last time she’d been grabbed like this she’d frozen and not followed through on her self-defense training. That had almost wound up costing her life.

Not again.

Never again.

This time she was going to fight with everything she had left in her. If she failed, then her life was over.

The man was speaking, she could hear the rumble of his voice, but the throbbing of her pulse meant she couldn’t make out any of the words. Not that she had to hear them to know what he was saying. He was telling her he thought he’d won, that he was taking her back to finish what was started, that she was going to die at the hands of the ring, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Heck, yeah there was.

His groin was the closest thing she could reach that would give her a chance.

A chance she grabbed hold of tightly.

Literally.

Grabbing a handful of his penis, Ava squeezed with everything she still had left inside her mostly empty tank.

It worked.

The man grunted and released her.

Wriggling out from beneath him, she grabbed hold of the weapon he’d set down and swung it at his head, pleased when it connected with a thunk.

Then she was off.

Running as fast as her weak body allowed.

She had to find Nathaniel.

Calling out for him would be the easiest way to find him, but there had to be more men out there and she didn't want to endanger him.

So, instead, she just kept running.

Didn't stop until she saw figures in black up ahead.

More of the men, and Nathaniel was standing in their midst.

They’d found him.

He was going to die because of her.

In her hand, she still held the gun she’d stolen from the man who had grabbed her, she was a reasonable shot, but not perfect, not as good as Nathaniel would be. Still, she could do something.

Had to do something.

Wrangling her fear under control, Ava stepped closer, aimed her weapon at the closest man, and prayed she had what it took to protect the man who had put his life in danger to save hers.

* * *

March 2nd

6:11 P.M.

“Step away from him,or I’ll blow your brains out.”

The softly but firmly spoken words drew Nathaniel’s attention, and he turned to see Ava stepping through the trees with a weapon held in her hands.

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