Page 143 of Resisting Isaac
I swing hard, savoring the sound of my knuckles crunching the bones of his nose. When he doesn’t go down, I swing again, using every ounce of rage I possess, connecting with his jaw just before he hits the pavement.
Wyatt grabs him and drags him away from the entrance just before an eighteen-wheeler takes him out.
Luckily for Diego, my brother has more scruples than me.
Colter pats him down for more weapons, removing aknife from his belt. In the melee, Diego’s gun was knocked from his hand and skittered too far under his vehicle for any of us to reach.
I crouch down to where he’s slouched against his SUV, close enough I could kiss this fucker. Giving him a hard slap so he opens his eyes, I make sure he’s coherent enough to hear me before I speak.
“Listen close, because you only get this one warning.” My voice is one I’ve never heard come out of my mouth. “If you ever so much as think about coming nearmy wifeor anyone in her family ever again, I will personally break every bone in your fucking body. Are we clear?”
He spits blood to the side, meets my eyes with what little fight he has left in him and lifts his chin.
“I’m not afraid of you, cowboy.”
I feel the smile spread across my face. “Good, Diego. That’s real good. Because deep down, I was hoping like hell you’d give me a reason to end you’re miserable fucking life.”
I grip his throat and lift him to his feet. I’ve got a few inches on him so I don’t stop until he’s only tiptoes on the ground.
“Any final words?”
“Okay,” he bites out, through bloody teeth. “Okay. I won’t go near her or her fucking family.”
I still slam him against the vehicle for good measure. Just to make sure I got my point across.
The back of his head must hit the window awfully hard because it shatters. Diego’s dead weight causes me to drop him to the ground.
He doesn’t move but he’s breathing.
Elena runs straight into me, fingers fisting my shirt. “I recorded him,” she gasps. “Everything. His threats, his ties to the cartel. It should be enough to make a case against him.”
Even now, even with a bruise in the shape of a handprint forming on her beautiful face, my girl is brilliant. Sharp. Strong.
“You’re okay?” I check her over for contusions. Move her hair so I can see every inch of her head.
She nods but she’s trembling.
I stroke the side of her face gently. “Who hit you, baby?”
She glances at Diego and I’m about to finish what I started when she wraps her arms around me.
“Don’t,” she pleads. “Let him pay for his crimes. Let him suffer like all of those who suffered because of him.”
I hold her in my arms as she sags against me. Relief that she’s safe and sound slams into me so hard it steals my breath.
Wyatt checks to make sure we’re both okay.
Behind us, Beau, Brett, and Colter finish mopping up what’s left of Diego’s pathetic crew. A county sheriff cruiser finally rolls in, lights flashing, way too late.
Paradise Valley’s finest, ladies and gentlemen.
I tuck Elena under my arm knowing I’ll never let her go again. “We need to get you to a hospital. Have you and the baby checked out.”
She nods. Then her voice cracks when she speaks. “I’m so sorry, Isaac. I didn’t know he was capable of those horrible things.” She sucks in a breath. “As soon as I realized how dangerous he was, the danger your family was in, I did everything I could to keep him away from you.”
Even if it meant her being away from me.
I tip her chin so she’s looking at me. “I know you did, spitfire. And I’m so proud of you. But next time, let’s come up with a signal or a code word so I know when you’re being kidnapped and held against your will. Otherwise, anytime I piss you off and you try to leave me, I’ll assume you need tobe rescued and come after you like the love-crazed maniac I am.”
