Page 33 of Protected from Malice
Decision made, I shake Eden awake. Her eyes pop open, wide and scared. Before she can say anything, I put my finger to her lips and whisper urgently, “Someone’s trying to get in. It’s fine, I’ll take care of it. But I need you to hide in the bathroom. Now.”
Guilt swamps me as she immediately starts to shake. Her breath quickens. Her nails dig into my leg.
“Rafe,no. Just call the police.”
The man on the video feed bypasses the electronic lock. My gaze darts to the door as it slowly cracks open. A metal tool slides between the doorjamb and the door; a tool I recognize as a favorite for jimmying swing bars. Which means we have maybe twenty, thirty seconds until he makes his way inside.
And I can’t have Eden in view when he does.
Leaping from bed, I land on silent feet like a cat, just as I was trained. Then I lift Eden into my arms and carry her to the bathroom, depositing her inside. I cup her cheek as I hold her gaze. In an almost inaudible tone, I tell her, “Lock the door. Get in the corner behind the sink. And donotcome out until I tell you it’s safe.”
Fear flashes across Eden’s face. Her pulse flutters at the base of her neck.“Rafe.”
“It’s fine.” Hating myself for it, I back out of the bathroom and pull the door shut, her frightened eyes burned into my memory.
Thank fuck, she follows my instructions, and I hear the reassuring click of the bathroom door locking.
It’s not a good lock, a child could get it open if they wanted, but I have no intention of the intruder getting close enough to try.
With Eden stashed away, I rush across the room and tuck myself behind the door. I pull my Sig from my waistband and rest my finger on the trigger guard, ready to fire if I need to.
I’d rather not. Gunfire means attention, and that’s something I don’t want. I want someprivatetime with this fucker, so I can hear all the things his lawyer won’t let him confess.
As I wait, my mind flies through the sequence of moves I’ll use.
Arm chop if he has a weapon.
Strike to the chest. Then a jab to the face to stun him.
Leg sweep to take him down.
Flip him over. Restrain him using the zip ties I’m never without.
With a small clink, the metal tool pushes the slide bar out and away, freeing the lock.
I slow my breath. My pulse. Shove all emotion aside.
Gone is the Rafe who comforted Eden in bed. In his place is a jaded warrior who’ll doanythingto protect the people he cares about.
The intruder pushes the door open.
Slowly steps inside.
Everything narrows to this moment.
Taking down this fucker who’s here to hurt Eden.
In the man’s hand, a knife flashes, catching the reflection of the light from the TV screen.
He grunts quietly. Mutters, “Where the fuck is she?”
Rage threatens to take over.
He’s here for Eden.
MyEden.
No fucking way.
