Page 19 of Nuclear Option (Owens Protective Services)

“He’s outside checking the perimeter with Rae.”

I swallowed down my fear and took a step forward. If Rae was here also, that must mean that I was safe, and that these men weren’t all that bad. I prayed that was true.

The back door opened and another man walked through with a grin on his face. “Damn, it’s about time you woke up. How many painkillers did Cash give you?” He set his gun down on the table, not even caring that anyone could grab it.

I frowned at the trail of red blood soaked through his shirt and down his arm. “Are you okay?”

“What, this?” he asked, looking down at the smear. “It’s just a scrape.”

“That’s not a scrape,” I said, moving forward very slowly, just in case he decided to suddenly grab his gun and shoot me. Holding my gown in place, I walked half the distance to him, making sure he couldn’t grab me. I was within arms reach of the table, and closer to the protection he laid down. I maintained eye contact the whole time, sure that if I looked away for even one moment, he might try something. Finally, I tore my gaze from his eyes and inspected the blood more closely. Though I couldn’t see the actual injury, I could very clearly see a hole where one shouldn’t be in a shirt.

“That’s a bullet hole.”

He smirked at me. “I can see why Cash keeps you around.”

Huffing in irritation, I was about to step back when my eyes flicked to the gun. He smirked at me, knowing I was thinking about grabbing it. Then a chair scratched harshly against the floor, and I reacted without thinking. I snatched the gun off the table, turning and aiming in the direction of the noise.

The man that stood held up his hands, but I could see him calculating, figuring out exactly when he would pull out his own weapon. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. There was a very good chance he would take me out without a moment’s hesitation. I wasn’t that lucky. One, I didn’t really know how to shoot, and two, I had a real problem taking another person’s life. I didn’t know if I had it in me, and that was clear by the shaking of my hand as I held the gun on him.

“You should really put that down before you hurt yourself,” the man said.

“I don’t know you.” My voice shook, which just pissed me off. I was supposed to be able to take care of myself. But it was becoming clearer by the minute that I was severely lacking in that ability.

“My name is Johnny. I was with you in the hospital.”

“Where’s Cash?” I asked.

“I already told you, he’s outside.”

His manner was placating, but his eyes flicked over to his friends, making me distrust him even more. He was planning something, and I was going to be the one that ended up dead.

“Call him.”

“He doesn’t have a phone.”

“Bullshit! He has a sat phone. Don’t lie to me.”

He took a step toward me and I backed up, unintentionally stepping right into the man I took the gun from. I skittered away from him, swallowing hard at his leering gaze.

“Nice ass,” he grinned.

I flushed red, wishing I was wearing something less revealing, but I couldn’t exactly put the gun down to hold the gown together. Why had I come so close to these men? A flash of pain tore through my head and I winced, nearly doubling over. Why did I feel so awful?

“Listen to me,” the man said, taking another step forward. “You need to put the gun down. You were in an accident with Cash. You had surgery on your shoulder and you have a concussion.”

“I don’t remember that!” I shouted, growing more hysterical by the moment. I needed Cash. I was terrified as hell right now, feeling all out of sorts, and he was the only one I trusted.

“You’re on the run from the governor, and we’re here to help you.” He took another step forward, and I stepped back again.

“I’ve been told that before. How do I know you’re not working for him?” God, I was so stupid walking down those steps, not even worried that this might be a trap. I thought I remembered Cash bringing me to the room last night, but maybe that was all in my head.

“We work for Rafe. Do you know him?”

I frowned, trying to sort through my memories, but everything was a jumble of misguided information. My hand was growing sweaty and my legs were shaking. If I didn’t make a move now, I wasn’t going to live long enough to see Cash ever again. My eyes flicked to the door. Even if I ran for it, I wasn’t sure how far I would make it before they would catch me. But it was a chance to stay alive.

“Don’t do it,” he warned. “Just wait. Cash will be back any minute.”

Another man stood and I swung my gun in his direction. “Don’t move!”

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