AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t move.” Davenport held the gun on her. He picked up his cell and touched the screen. Then he said something in a low voice into the phone. He tucked it back in his pocket.
“Tom, are you alright?” he asked the big man.
“I can’t see. She wrecked my eyes. I can’t see!” he yelled as he stumbled around wiping at them.
“Well, fuck.” Davenport sighed and fired two shots.
Tom hit the ground and two large red stains bloomed in the middle of his chest.
Riss froze. She tried to breathe but she couldn’t seem to take in enough oxygen. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Good lord, was that rasping noise really her trying to breathe?
The sound of footsteps echoed down the alley.
“Shut up,” Davenport hissed as he pointed the gun at her.
She held her breath.
“I don’t think this is the way, Ruth,” a voice said. “See?” There were some murmurings and then. “We made a wrong turn back there.”
Riss was devasted when the footsteps receded. She gulped air as she watched Davenport raise the gun again. She begged, “Just tell me why.”
“Because I need your land. I made a deal with a guy at the land registry in County Dublin to get that nice prime piece of real estate for my European campus and come to find out, you two existed, so he couldn’t transfer the land. I offered him more money than he could ever spend which he agreed to but with you and your sister alive there was always the possibility you’d come for it. He promised me if you’re both dead, he’d transfer the land quick time to me for pennies on the dollar. The paperwork is ready.
“But you could buy land anywhere. Why does it have to be there?”
Davenport sneered. “Because I’m flat broke. I’ve maxed my credit. No one will lend anything else to me. Even my backers are nervous. The fucking thing doesn’t work!” he snarled. “I need more time. Building the campus buys me the time to get Jenny to work, and with the land in my possession, I can borrow against it to get the money I need. Turns out your family’s land is worth a pretty penny. Now all I need is for you to die.” He raised the gun.
* * *
Cash cursed silently. He’d heard Davenport’s voice when he’d started down the alley and knew Riss was in trouble, but he couldn’t go any further without being heard. He’d paid two women to walk a few steps down the alley and make a lot of noise, but they were long gone now. He couldn’t get any closer without Davenport hearing him as clearly as he could hear Davenport.
He fucking should have known about the Dublin shit. Li said as much in the meeting. Poppy had said the code wasn’t working. Just another piece of the puzzle he should have put together. If he’d done his job, Riss wouldn’t be in danger.
Cash cursed again that he hadn’t brought his gun. Commercial flights wouldn’t let him take it on the plane without a shit ton of questions, none of which he could answer so he’d left it back at the house. Dominick would ship it to him this week.
Davenport had gone silent. Cash’s senses heightened as adrenaline coursed through his veins. It was now or never. He wasn’t going to let Davenport kill Riss, not without a fight. He shot around the corner, his footsteps echoing in the confined space. Riss, eyes wild with terror, was standing just out from the wall, a mere few feet away from Davenport.
Davenport's eyes widened as he registered Cash's sudden appearance. With lightning reflexes, he swung his gun around, his finger squeezing the trigger. But Cash saw it coming and instinctively dove low, his body a sleek blur of motion. The gunshot echoed off the ancient walls as the bullet whizzed past Cash, missing its mark by inches.
The two men collided with a thunderous impact, crashing onto the cobblestones. Cash's muscular frame struck Davenport squarely in the gut, forcing the man to gasp for breath. Pain shot through Cash's ribs as they hit the ground. He’d ripped his stitches open, but he gritted his teeth and maintained his hold on Davenport.
* * *
Riss stumbled backward, her heart pounding. The alleyway seemed to close in around them.
"Give it up, Davenport!" Cash growled, his voice laced with fury, as he wrestled for control of the gun. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the acrid tang of gunpowder.
Riss didn’t want to watch. She wanted to run but she couldn’t tear her gaze away. Cash couldn’t be hurt again. She couldn’t handle it if he died trying to protect her. She owed him so much already.
Davenport snarled, his eyes burning with hatred. He fought back with a vicious determination, his fingers tightening on the weapon. The two men strained against each other, their muscles trembling with exertion. With a sudden surge of strength, Davenport twisted his body, trying to break free from Cash's grip. The gun wavered in their struggle; its barrel dangerously close to both of them.
Riss had been backing up and tripped over Tom’s body. She blinked and then squatted next to the dead man. She pulled his gun out of his pocket and straightened. Aiming it at Davenport, she pulled the trigger. A deafening boom rang out, and pain jolted through her shoulder from the recoil. For a split second, time seemed to stand still. The gun fell from Davenport's hand, clattering to the cobblestones as a large red spot grew on his shoulder.
Cash wasted no time. With a final push, he rolled away from Davenport, his chest heaving as he scrambled to his feet. He kicked the gun away from Davenport’s hand.
“Riss.” He put out his hand.
She looked down at her own and realized she was still pointing the gun. She moved a few steps and handed it to Cash.
