Page 87 of Hunted Hearts
She closed her eyes and prayed Theo would find her in time. She didn’t want to lose him after everything they’d been through. Their time together might have been short, but every single moment was powerful to her.
The limo rolled to a stop, and her window rolled down.
And then she saw him.
Theo.
Her breath caught.
He stepped from a black SUV parked a good distance ahead. Backlit by his vehicle’s headlights, a soft halo of mist curled around his broad shoulders.
Juliette gulped at the sight of her bodyguard and lover in combat boots and tactical gear, his glare locked on the limo for a single heartbeat before he shifted it to the back seat as if he could see her through the tinted glass.
He looked terrifying. Beautiful. Powerful.
So damn hot.
How could she think of such things at a time like this?
And he was her special person, all hers. If he ever forgave her for what she did.
If they survived this.
The man beside her issued a short chuckle. “Time to say goodbye, sweetheart. Unless your man decides to play nice.”
Juliette didn’t answer—couldn’t. She could barely think.
Movement behind Theo drew her attention. More dark silhouettes poured out of the vehicle, rifles in hand. His brothers drifted forward to flank him.
It was her rescue team.
Something shifted in the air.
A vibration. A sense.
This exchange wasn’t happening. Not like she’d expected.
A sudden sharppop!exploded behind the limo, and the world outside turned blinding white.
Juliette shrieked, ducking low as the limo shook. Her captor swore and scrambled for what she assumed was a weapon.Outside, more bangs cracked through the air, followed by shouted commands and heavy boots pounding the pavement.
The driver issued a bellow. Following that, several grunts and curses ripped through the limo.
Suddenly, the back door yanked open—and Juliette flinched before rough, familiar hands gripped her arms.
Theo.
With a rifle slung across his shoulder, his chest heaving and a storm in his eyes, he was everything she needed in that moment. His jaw clenched so tight that the angles looked painful. “You okay?”
Beyond words, she could only give him a jerky nod, the tears already falling. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I just wanted to save Emil. I didn’t know—”
He reached for her even as one of his brothers tore the man in the back with her out of the limo. The noise of hard fists striking flesh resonated like a note she never wanted to hear but was relieved by it at the same time.
Theo climbed into the limo beside her and slammed the door behind them. For a thumping heartbeat, he only raked his gaze over her.
“Theo—”
He caught her face between his palms. A growl left him, and he dropped his forehead to press against hers. “You’re not leaving my sight again. I mean it, Juliette.”
