Page 49 of Her Last Hope
“I beg to differ.” Hollywood palmed Leandra.
Nick had had about enough of another mantouching what was his. “Let me tell you how this is going to go down because in a few minutes, I won’t be sitting in this chair, and my hands are going to be around your neck.”
“Really? And how is that going to happen, exactly?” Hollywood grinned, leaning way too close to Leandra’s breasts.
“Come over here and I’ll tell you.”
“Why would I do that when I can fondle this lovely slut all I want?” Hollywood grabbed her boob and squeezed.
Leandra narrowed her eyes, raising her bound arms, nailing him just under the chin with a loud smack.
His head jerked back as Leandra scooted down the sofa.
“Bitch.” Hollywood stood, looking down at her. “You’re going to be sorry you did that,” he said with a raised hand.
“In less than two minutes, a team of highly trained professionals are going to come crashing through that door.” Nick nodded toward the entrance near the window. He needed to get Hollywood closer.
Hollywood took five long strides across the room, pressing his gun to Nick’s temple, leaning in inches from his face. “In the last twenty minutes, I’ve doubled my security and gotten rid of anyone who doesn’t belong here.”
Nick smiled. “No, you haven’t.” He smashed his forehead into Hollywood’s nose.
Hollywood screamed, dropping the weapon and grabbing his bloody face.
Nick leaned forward, then flung himself backward, destroying the chair as he crashed against the floor.
The sound of shattering glass filtered through Nick’s brain as he continued to work the rope around his wrists.
Seconds later, Dylan stood over him, cutting through the ropes that bound him. He twisted his head to see Ramey helping Leandra out of her constraints and Logan standing over Hollywood, a gun to his face.
Their father would be proud.
Their mother? Oy. He rubbed his ear, remembering how much it hurt when she’d tugged at it each time they did something she didn’t approve of.
Which was often.
He took the hand Dylan offered and hoisted himself to a standing position before charging the piece of shit lying on the floor.
Shoving his brother to the side, he hoisted Hollywood up by the collar. Nick cocked his fist and swung. Blood spurted from Hollywood’s cheek as Nick’s knuckles connected to bone.
“That’s for what you did to those girls, you sick piece of shit.” Nick wrapped his fingers around Hollywood’s neck. “This is for touching my girl.”
“Nick,” Logan yelled. “It’s over.”
Nick stared into Hollywood’s wide eyes as the man struggled to breathe, his hands grasping Nick’s forearm.
“Nick,” Leandra said, her warm hand gliding across his skin. “Let him go.”
He let out a long breath as he eased his grip, then released Hollywood. “I hope you rot in hell.” Nick straightened his back.
Sirens rang out as the clank of combat boots echoed from down the hallway.
Nick stiffened, causing a wave of dizziness, and he stumbled, grabbing ahold of Leandra. “You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine, but I’m not so sure about you.” She pressed her hand on his back. “Besides reopening this wound, you’ve got a nasty gash to your head and one on your arm.”
He looked down, noticing one of his brothers tying a tourniquet on his left biceps just below the shoulder. “Well, fuck.”
“Let’s get you patched up again,” Dylan said, looping Nick’s good arm around his shoulders.
