Chapter Thirty-Six
Breanna dragged herselffurther, hope springing in her when she saw the glimmer of light in the distance. She’d had a setback when she ran into that damn blocked vent, but she swallowed her anger and the beginnings of despair and pushed onward. Seeing an end in sight, she caught a new burst of energy and spurred herself on.I just have a little bit more to go, and then I can call Steel. And a paramedic.Her legs were covered in blood, and she kept slipping in it as she crawled along.
In her haste to reach her destination, she grew careless. Another steel edge sliced her knee like a knife and she cried out in pain. Sweat stung her eyes and mixed with her tears to dampen her face.I have to make it. You can do this, Breanna. You can. You only have a little bit more to—What the fuck?Under her, the sheet metal separated and the fake ceiling below was creaking. Ripping. Crashing. Then she was flying, and then…
Boom!She landed on the commercial carpet with a thud. “Oomph!” She fell on her side, knocking the wind out of her. Her head was spinning. She tried to sit up but she couldn’t move. All she could do was lie there groaning. It was like a semitruck had crashed into her and run her over. Her whole body ached.
I think I broke an arm or leg. With my luck, it’s probably both.
“Nice of you to drop in.” Raley’s sinister voice chilled her. “You’ve caused me so much fucking trouble, you bitch.” He kicked her hard in the thigh and she groaned. “I’ve had enough of you.”
He moved into her field of vision and that’s when she saw the gun.He’s fucking crazy! This is it. I’m going to die. Oh, Steel.Tears trickled down from the corners of her eyes into her ears. She took a deep breath and a shot of pain tore through her. “Are you insane?” she croaked. “You’re going to kill me here? I thought you were a smart cop.”
“Shut the fuck up, bitch!” He kicked her again, and a desire to kick him in the balls hard and then pistol whip him seized her. Bending over, he grabbed her by the hair and dragged her. She screamed out as her body spasmed from the pain, but he ignored it and kept yanking her along. He stopped and opened a cupboard, taking out a large metal box. Then he grabbed a fistful of her hair again and pulled her to the front door.
Through bleary eyes, she watched him fumble with the lock. All of a sudden, as if a tornado had hit, the door flung open with such ferocity that it knocked him to the floor, knocking the gun out of his hands. Before he could get up, she saw Steel rush in, an assault rifle in his hand and the fierceness of a warrior in his eyes. He yanked Raley up by his shirt collar. She recognized Crow, Rooster, Goldie, and Diablo as they came in behind him.
Her body relaxed.He’s come.
“You fucking bastard! You killed my daughter. You took her from me. You’re gonna pay for every needle mark she had on her skin, for every person you gave that shit to. And I’m gonna fucking enjoy watching you suffer. You hear me, motherfucker?” Steel punched Raley in the face, then threw him to Diablo. “Take this piece of shit to the cell and prep him. I want at him.”
Without a word, Diablo seized him and dragged him outside as Goldie followed. Her gaze flew back to Steel, and that’s when he spotted her lying on the floor. She knew she looked a mess with her clothes ripped, dirt smudges on her face, her body covered in dust and blood.
“Baby.” He dashed over to her and worry laced his eyes. “You’re hurt bad.”
“I think I broke some ribs. And I cut the hell out of myself in the air vent. I would’ve escaped if the bastard hadn’t come back.”
He bent down and kissed her wet cheeks. “You’re a fighter. You’ve got the spirit of a warrior woman. You make me proud.” He slipped his hands under her body. “This’ll hurt, but I have to take you to theHataliito heal you.”
“What’s that?” she whispered hoarsely.
“The Navajo medicine man.” He picked her up and she bit her lip until she tasted copper. She didn’t want to cry out. She wanted to show him that she was truly his warrior woman.
