Page 122 of Under His Guard

Please, God, let this work.

Chapter 39

Clara

Luke is just running off to play chicken with a car driven by a madman, and I can’t do shit about it.

My heart is in my throat, pounding away as the swirling of my gut still racks me.

I don’t give permission for my body to do this. It’s not cooperating right now with anything I want.

And this is definitely not the time.

The tan car launches forward, changing directions to track Luke as he runs away from me.

As far as plans go, this isn’t the worst one. Marco has proven he’ll drive straight into a wall if he thinks he can hit one or both of us.

That other building is made of concrete bricks, not the shitty wood siding like the office behind me, which is thoroughly destroyed on this side.

But hell, Luke is already bleeding so much. The fact that he’s conscious is a damn miracle.

“Luke!”

He doesn’t look back, and I pull myself up as the car heads in his direction. I’m too far behind him at this point, but I still run.

I run toward Luke with everything I have because I won’t leave him alone.

He has to make it.

My breaths heaving, I fly forward a handful of seconds behind the vehicle that’s aimed at the man I freaking love.

Because I do.

I should be sobbing and screaming right now, but the adrenaline is too high. So, with an odd clarity, I just accept the truth that’s been building in my chest since the moment I laid eyes on Luke.

I love Luke. I love him with everything I have, and if this fucker takes him away from me now, I…

No, absolutely not. It’s not happening.

I’ve never pushed my body like this before; I’ve never run for my life or someone else’s.

But I do, I sprint to him.

Marco is just feet away from clipping Luke’s legs as he dashes closer to that wall. They have to turn to face it head-on.

Luke skids to a stop, shifting himself so the cement blocks are at his back.

Turning the car, Marco adjusts, continuing his path straight for Luke.

I can hear him screaming through the windows, even against the roaring engine and the blood rushing in my ears.

“Die, Shaw!”

No. Luke isn’t dying on my watch. And this asshole isn’t going to lay a finger on him.

Still, Luke’s standing in front of that wall, playing the perfect part as he fakes not knowing where to turn.

He has to cut it close, though. If he moves too soon, Marco will just turn the wheel again.

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