Page 136 of Forever After All

Linc

Linc growled through the pain. It was the only sound he was capable of at the time.

Fitting for his attitude too.

His nostrils flared as he took deep breaths. His teeth gritted together, and he let out another groan.

Ryan was a dead man.

Linc raised his head and blinked through the fuzziness in his vision.

Ryan was on his hands and knees. Where was Jess?

“He’ll kill you for this,” she seethed.

“I’d like to see him try.”

Oh, that could be arranged. There was no way on God’s green earth Ryan was getting his way today.

Linc pulled one knee up until his foot rested flat on the floor. Blood soaked everything around him, but he couldn’t tell if it was his or Ryan’s.

Probably Linc’s, judging from the heaviness in his limbs. He had to work fast or he’d miss his opportunity. He could push past the pain only until his body decided to run out of blood.

Jess said she called for help. They’d better be breaking the speed limit to get here.

When he lifted his head again, Ryan was a little clearer.

And Jess was pinned beneath him. She jerked and bucked, giving it everything she had, but Ryan was stronger.

This wasn’t happening. Not while Linc still lived and breathed.

The guy was going to be sorry when this was over. Sorry he’d ever laid eyes on Lincoln North again.

The edges of his vision reddened. Ryan wanted scorched earth? He’d get it.

Linc lunged at Ryan, pushing him off Jess and pressing him into the floor. With his forearm over Ryan’s neck, Linc leaned all of his weight onto his old friend.

Ryan’s eyes widened, and he sputtered.

“Didn’t catch that. What did you say?” Linc taunted.

Ryan’s mouth opened and closed while his hand clawed at Linc’s arm.

“Who thought it was a good idea to touch my girl?” Linc asked.

Ryan’s eyes darted left and right, back and forth. He squirmed from side to side, trying to pull one of his arms out from underneath Linc’s leg.

His face swelled, turning a deep blue. Ryan jerked one more time, pulling his arm free and slashing it out to the side.

“Ahh!” Jess screamed.

Linc’s attention jerked to where Jess lay on the floor beside them. Ryan’s flailing had dragged the blade of his knife across Jess’s side.

“Jess!”

She writhed to one side, clutching her abdomen.

Linc pushed off Ryan and scrambled for Jess. “Talk to me. Talk to me.” He ran his hands over her arms and sides.

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