Page 36 of Fight for You
I sprinted down the hallway, heart hammering in my chest. Like the wood-splitting maul that helped me on some missions, I’d tear down anything standing between me and Jordyn.
Jesus, don’t let them take her.
Not again.
15
SANTA BARBARA
Jordyn
Days free: 150
“I know you’re in here!”A man, voice deep and unforgiving, shouted at the top of his lungs. He’d pounded on the cabinets.
Thump.
Thump.
Each impact against the cabinets in the kitchen sent venom through my veins. Paralysis left me frozen in fear as I sat on the floor, back against additional cabinetry. Legs pushed to my chest, one arm around me. The other?—
THUMP.
—shook with the Glock. Given the fear wrapped around my throat, I wondered how many bullets this gun took? I could imagine myself shooting everywhere but a target that entered the pantry. In a matter of time, he’d distinguished between the cabinets and pantry door. How did this happen?
It seemed just seconds ago, I’d twirled a wineglass in my hand while waiting for Jamie to taste the popcorn I’d made especiallyfor him. The glass had caught the low glow from the kitchen pendant lights, and I’d sighed, allowing myself to enjoy the moment without expectation of offering my body. But when the time came, I’d be ready. Hell, I’d be all over that man like a monkey climbing a tree.
And now, I was gonna die the second that monster breached the door.Great. He could leave my body here. This pantry was practically a marble mausoleum.
Rebel’s wet nose nudged my shoulder, a subtle reminder that I wasn’t alone. She didn’t bark like the Siberian Laikas. While a part of me sought her feminine roar as encouragement, the simple touch made the gun in my hand stop rattling like a maraca.Okay, girl, get a grip, or you’ll never kiss Jamie again.His kiss was unlike any I had ever experienced. Unique. Like I’d never been kissed before. A sigh ran through me, and the last tiny shakes in my weapon-fisted hand ended.
The door creaked open.
Before I could fire off a shot, Rebel lunged past me. With a snarl, she hurled herself upward and aimed for the man’s neck. He blocked. Her teeth latched onto the man’s arm, knocking him off balance. He fell back with her latched onto him. I narrowed my eyes and prepared to pull the trigger. Although the open door admitted more natural moonlight, I still lacked the confidence to take the shot. Not without hurting Rebel.
He lifted a handgun toward my dog.
“No!” I screamed just as he fired a shot.
Rebel yelped and darted away.
The man climbed to his feet and shoved the Glock into his thigh holster. An even bigger gun rested at the sling on his chest. The arrogant look on his face suggested he didn’t need to use a weapon to attack me. His hands tightened into fists at his side as he approached. I shot him in the chest.Pop.Pop.Pop.
The first bullet slammed him against the kitchen island. Thesecond shot laid him out flat on the ground. My third shot slammed through the cabinet next to him. He gasped for air as he struggled to sit upright. With a roar, he leaped up and ran at me.
I lowered my aim as he came after me again. The shot grazed his muscular thigh. He grunted, catching me by the throat and lifting me off the floor. My feet dangled. I aimed for his jewels and missed.
As more bullets went off in the background, his fist flew toward my face. At the last second, the guy pulled the punch with a hardened chuckle. “Better be glad. You’re the target.”
The butt of a rifle slammed against the side of his head, knocking him to the floor.
Jamie rubbed a hand over his jaw, a bruise forming.
“Shoot him!” I shouted before it dawned on me that Jamie might be out of bullets. My suggestion, however, didn’t faze the man. He rolled on his stomach and aimed his slung rifle at my protector. Jamie grabbed the barrel.
The shot went wide, shattering a slab of marble wall.Ouch!Too loud. I pressed my hands over my ears. Bigger gun. Bigger sound.
The man started to get up. Jamie, still holding the rifle barrel, yanked it. The rifle strap pulled the man to the floor again. A well-aimed kick to the ribs made the mercenary grunt in pain. The man wrenched the rifle back, pulling Jamie to the floor.
