Page 68 of Defender

Of course, if Ashton walked in there and Summer or Chloe was hurt—or, oh God, he could hardly bear to think about it,dead—drawing it out wasn’t going to be an issue.

As if he could read Ashton’s mind, Roman muttered, “Fitzy, training, man.Not emotion.”

“I’ll try.”But his promise sounded weak even to himself.

He made his way through the overgrown grass, eyes scanning everywhere for anything that might be useful or pose a threat.The porch steps made a loud sound as his booted feet landed on them.That was fine, Ashton wasn’t attempting stealth.

“So you made it,” he heard Harper say, although he couldn’t see the man.“I had wondered if you would make it in time.”

“I’m coming in, Harper.”Ashton slid the broken front door back as far as he could and stepped inside.The interior state of the house—if it could even be called that with the amount of broken windows and doors—wasn’t any better than the outside.

Ashton stepped over a pile of trash and rounded the corner of what used to be a coat closet that faced the front door.This brought him into what looked like a dining room.A few more steps brought the back room into view.

Harper stood there, grinning like an idiot, gun in hand.Next to him, sitting on the couch, gagged with her arms tied in front of her, was Summer.Chloe was in her car seat on the floor a few feet away from Summer, sleeping.

Something eased slightly in Ashton.They were alive.He would damn well make sure it stayed that way.

“I see Summer and Chloe are alive.Is it really necessary to gag Summer and tie her up?”The info was for the team, apprising them of the situation.

“I’m in charge here, Fitzgerald.You do what I say.”He swung the gun around at Summer.“Or she’s the one who gets dead.”

Ashton held his arms out in front of him.“Okay, Harper, you’re the boss.Whatever you want, that’s what we’ll do.”

“That’s right, Iamthe boss.Why are you in your SWAT gear?”Harper’s eyes narrowed.

“Because I was at a hostage situation across town when you called.I came straight here.”

“Take out your gun and put it on the ground slowly.”

“Why don’t you point your gun at me?I’m the one you have to worry about.”

Ashton didn’t like how shaky Harper’s hands were, especially with the gun pointed so close to Summer.

“I’m not stupid, Fitzgerald.I know keeping this pointed at her is the only way to keep you in line.”

Harper was correct about that.If Lillian had a shot available, she might take it if Harper had his gun pointed at Ashton.She wouldn’t take the chance if Summer or Chloe’s lives were at stake.

“Alright, Harper.Here’s my gun.I’m putting it on the floor.”

“Kick it away from you.”

Ashton did, but probably not as far as Harper would like.

“Take off your helmet.I want to be able to see your face clearly.I want to know that you wish you hadn’t killed my father.”

Ashton took off his helmet and dropped it to the ground, but tried to stick to the wall.If the second man was out there, ready to take a shot, Ashton wanted to give him as small a target as possible.

“I’m willing to talk about that with you.But you need to let Summer and the baby go first.”

“Why don’t I kill them both and then we’ll talk?”Harper sneered.

Ashton swallowed the panic.“You do that and there’s going to be nothing keeping me from diving across this room and you and me fighting one-on-one.Remember what happened last time we fought, Curtis?”Ashton tapped his nose, reminding Harper of his broken one.

Wrong thing to say.Harper brought the gun even closer to Summer.“That won’t happen again, trust me.”

Ashton tensed to pounce, but then Harper brought a hand up to his ear for just a second, then seemed to relax.He eased the gun away from Summer’s head.

“Fine,” Harper said, sulking like a child.Ashton wasn’t even sure what he was talking about.“Did you come alone?”

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