Page 91 of Baited

Michael rounded the corner, a shotgun held firmly in front of him. His finger moved on the trigger and Ethan dove.

Bam.

A shot rang out. His shoulder careened back and pain exploded through his back and chest. His body slammed into Michael and they went down. He tore the shotgun from Michael’s hands and sent it sliding across the floor. He positioned the Glock to Michael’s temple, his free hand closed over his throat. Ethan bared all his weight on his hand. Michael’s legs kicked beneath him and his hands gripped Ethan’s wrist.

“Where is she?”

Nate came up and moved Ethan aside. “You go find her. I’ll take care of this.”

Ethan released his hold and Michael sucked in one breath before Nate’s foot slammed down on his windpipe.

“Oh we’re going to have fun.” Nate laughed.

Ethan raced for the bedroom. The dog greeted him with a soft whine when he opened the door. “Where is she, boy?”

The dog went to the closet and spun in a circle. What the hell? He’d already checked there. He opened the door and the dog went in and scratched the back wall, then whined again. Ethan shoved the shirts aside. In the center of the wall was a handle. His heart lurched.

She was in there.

CHAPTER 26

Riley pounded herpalms against the cushion on the door. “We’re in here!” Her voice strained as she screamed. Oh god, please let him hear me.

Bang!

The hinges on the door vibrated. She backed up, her feet unsteady on the soft terrain. Her hands clasped in front of her face. He’d found her.

Bang!

The floor beneath her shook with the force of the next blow. He must not have the key if he was breaking the door down. Fear rippled through her sending a shockwave over her body. Where was Michael?

Crash!

Ethan stumbled into the room as the door bounced open. A cry sounded in her throat. He straightened and his shoulders made the large room shrink. The top of his head skimmed the top of the doorway and his hands curled into tight, angry fists.

Her muscles went lax. She hurled herself into his arms and buried her face against his neck. His arms closed around her, lifting her off her feet. His hands roamed all over her.

“Baby, are you okay?” His voice was rough against her ear.

She nodded, tears leaked out of her eyes and dampened his shirt.

He pushed her out of his embrace and his hands gripped her shoulders. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, honest.”

A dark shadow crossed his face. His normally soft and playful blue eyes were sharp and honed. His hands moved over her cheeks, and he turned her head to the side. “You’re bleeding,” he ground out.

Her eyes landed on his shoulder and her mouth fell open. “Ethan, you’re shot,” she cried.

His gaze fell to the wound and he shook his head. “It’s fine. What happened to your head?”

She swallowed and brought her fingers to the tender spot. It hadn’t hurt much before, but now that Ethan was here and safety had settled in around her, it pounded. “He hit me with a baseball bat. I—”

“Christ,” he breathed. His jaw worked and his thumb moved over the throbbing spot. “I’m going to kill that psycho if Nate hasn’t already.”

Riley pulled his hand from her head and pressed her palm into his. “Ethan, this is Hanna.” She pulled him toward the corner of the room.

His sharp intake of breath made her wince. His hand fell away from hers and he moved past her and dropped down beside Hanna. He didn’t touch her, but lines of concern etched his face.

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