“I’ll do a fucking lot more than that now, bitch!”he yelled, reaching out and yanking her hair.“You’re going to pay for your sins and due your wifely duties.”
“We’re not married!”she yelled, trying to pull away.
Rage coursed through him, his face red and eyes hard.“No one will save you this time.This ends right now!”
Quinn let out a blood-curdling scream and pulled free from his grip, opening the passenger door.She stumbled out, running toward the woods, nearly slipping on the wet leaves on the ground.The rain continued to fall, and she cursed her bad luck.Even if she got away, he’d be able to follow her tracks.
Adam was raging, slamming the truck door before he ran after her.A gunshot sounded, and she ducked down.“Stop or I’ll shoot again!”he screamed.
Crying, Quinn continued to run, branches and twigs scratching her face.She’d left the road and was in the actual woods now.Handcuffed.Scared.Helpless.Quinn ducked under a downed tree, thankful for once that she was a lot smaller than Adam.He’d have to climb over it to get through.She didn’t stop, just kept rushing through the forest, desperate to escape.
She slid on some wet leaves as she ran, making a quick turn to the left.Adam was still out there somewhere, and she needed to get as far away from him as possible.She was panting as she continued on her trek through the forest, but she didn’t stop.She couldn’t.
Suddenly, Quinn heard shouts in the distance behind her, angry male voices that carried through the trees.
Hope bloomed within her.Either Knox and his teammates had found her or Adam’s sick terror cell friends had arrived.The voices grew louder.Closer.The crack of a gunshot sounded, and she ducked down, not sure if Adam or someone else was shooting.
Quinn stayed crouched where she was near a tree, trying to stay out of sight until she knew for certain what was happening.Her entire body was shaking, scared, and she was cold huddling alone in the rain.
“Clear!”a male voice yelled.
Her mind flashed back to Kabul.The men had yelled that as they’d cleared the house—when they’d determined it was safe.Her heart pounded as she sucked in a shaky breath.
“Quinn!”Knox yelled, and she stood, tears streaming down her face.“Are you here, Quinn?Where are you?”
Knox’s voice was frantic, and Quinn turned toward it, shouting in reply.“I’m over here, Knox!Knox!Over here!”She yelled until he suddenly appeared through the leaves, looking dark and dangerous.The relief that crossed his face was tangible, and when she rushed toward him, Knox lifted her into his arms.
“You found me!”she said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched onto him.She was handcuffed, soaking wet from the rain, but she’d never been so happy to see him.
“Of course I found you,” he said, brushing away her tears and kissing her.“Are you hurt?Did he touch you?”
Quinn shook her head.“I’m not hurt.He handcuffed me but didn’t do anything.I’m not sure where he was planning on taking me, but he said we needed to hurry.I called you and tried to stall him.When he detoured and took me into the woods, I panicked.I ran.”
“Good girl,” Knox said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.He leaned down, resting his forehead against her own for a moment, seeming overwhelmed.He took a deep breath, his eyes landing on her hands.“I’ll get those cuffs off when we’re back at the vehicles,” he told her.“You did a damn good job running from him.”
Cooper, Gage, and Xaden suddenly appeared through the trees, each with their weapons drawn.They holstered them when they saw there was no danger.Knox walked toward them, carrying Quinn in his arms.
“Qureshi’s dead,” Cooper told them bluntly.“Boone’s taking care of a few things.”
“Thank God.How’d you guys get here so fast?”Quinn wondered.
“I tracked your phone,” Knox said.“And Boone’s a former sniper.Qureshi never stood a fucking chance.I only wish I got to take the kill shot.”
“You found me,” Quinn said, trying to hold back more tears.“That’s all that matters.Can we go home now?”she asked.
Knox’s gaze softened.“Of course.And after this, I don’t think I’ll ever let you out of my sight.”
