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Not this time.
I refused to let it.
I forced out the words through clenched teeth. “Put your gun down and get on the ground.”
My attention kept jumping between Jack and Samson. They were outnumbered, but that didn’t mean us taking them out wouldn’t come without casualties.
I was a damn good shot, but so was Samson.
Jack Harris laughed this cocky, deranged sound as a sneer hit his face. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?”
My scoff slashed like razors. “It seems I never really knew who I was talking to, did I?”
“Well, we all have our little secrets, don’t we? Just like your sweet, little wife.”
This asshole was trying to bait me.
“Sure. And it looks like your secrets are going to put you behind bars for the rest of your days.”
Justice for Brianna was right there, dangling out in front of me. What I’d promised. I just hated that she’d allowed this monster to invade her mind, but I was pretty sure after reading that journal, she hadn’t had much choice in the matter.
She’d been manipulated.
Her vulnerabilities and paranoias used against her.
He snorted. “I don’t think that’s how this is going to play out, Ezra. I mean, it’s a true shame you and your friends here had to trespass on my property.” He waved his gun toward my cousins and Cody. “Threaten me for my family’s wealth.”
He tsked sadly. “I was just trying to protect myself and the heirlooms I keep here. Luckily, Samson got here just in time to save my life. Unfortunately, that meant having to take all of yours. The town will be shocked. But they’ll come to understand, though. It’s not like your friends here haven’t always been trouble.”
Rage trembled, and my arms fucking shook, and I had to fight with all I had to keep myself steady. To keep from coming unhinged. To keep from running across this room and putting a bullet in his brain.
“Everyone will know it’s bullshit. The rest of my deputies are already on their way. Hell, they’re probably pulling up as we speak. It’s not going to happen, Jack.”
I snarled it.
“So why don’t you put down your gun. You, too, Samson.”
I jutted my chin at him.
“I’m sorry, boss, but I’m afraid I can’t do that. You should have moved on and dropped it when I told you to.”
Before I had time to react, he yanked one of the women in front of him. She cried out as he dragged her against his body, terror ripping through the room, a shockwave of horror.
He lifted his gun and put it to her head.
“All of you on your knees or this bitch is going to lose her brains.”
Visions slammed me. Arriving on the scene after I’d gotten the call that there’d been a shooting in town. Unaware it was Brianna until I’d run up and found her splayed at an odd angle on the pavement. Blood pooling around her.
It was him. Samson had killed her. And I knew it was what they’d intended here, and there wasn’t going to be any coming out of this basement without spilling more. Theirs or ours.
We only had one moment. One chance to make this right. To show them they were worth more than whatever this deviant had convinced them of. They were worth it all.
My attention was on Savannah as those thoughts flashed through my mind. Even though her eyes were slits, that aqua stared back. Swimming with terror, though beneath it, there was more.
Our connection keening. Awareness thrumming through the space.
And I hoped she knew I’d meant every word. That I’d meant every touch. And that right now, no matter what, she knew she was not alone.
I’d give it all.
Because I loved her.
Forever.
I made the move before either of these fuckers could anticipate it. I ran forward, firing two shots just above Samson’s head, low enough that it would send him ducking but high enough there was no chance that I would hit the woman the bastard used as a shield.
Surprise sheared through Jack Harris’ face as I came running across the room, the asshole stumbling back in shock, unprepared. Savannah took the opportunity, and she threw herself to the side, only I saw out of my periphery what she was throwing herself on.
One of the other women. Young. Blonde hair. She cried out a mournful sound, and I knew it was her sister.
Only my attention remained there a beat too long, and Jack had regrouped, and he swung the gun around in Savannah’s direction.
Savannah who was awkwardly spread out over her sister with her arms and legs bound.
A shroud.
A shield.
Protecting her the way she promised she always would.
I hurtled for Jack, feet pounding as I ran his direction, firing as I went.
He whirled back at me at the exact same time, pulling his trigger, too.
Gunshots rang out from every side.
