Page 39 of Under an Oklahoma Sky

Sage!

That was why he’d crashed. She’d run into the middle of the road, and he’d swerved to avoid hitting her.

“Let go of me! Help!”

“Shut up!”

The deep, threatening male voice erupted a volcano of fury within Adam—something he’d experienced only once before in his life and had prayed he never would again. He reached for the gun that had been on the bench seat between him and Bart, but it was gone, probably thrown beneath the dashboard during the crash.

He didn’t have time to search for it. He had to get to Sage.

“Let go!” Her growled order told him she was strong enough to fight for her life at the moment, but how long could she keep it up?

Pulling the handle, Adam tried to shove the door open, but no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn’t budge. His only other choice was the broken window. Gripping the upper frame, he ignored the shards of glass still caught in the rubber lining as they dug into his palms and hoisted himself partway out. Contorting his body, he pulled his legs through the confined space and half-jumped, half-fell to the ground.

His head spun, and his dinner threatened to come back up as he stood and stumbled forward. Sage’s screams and the bastard’s bellowing urged him on.

“Ow! Get back here!”

“Let! Me! Go!”

Rounding the truck, he saw them in the middle of the road. Seth Chapman was trying to pick Sage up, but her fierce struggle made it difficult. Four angry red scratches ran down his left cheek, and for some bizarre reason, bright green paint was smeared across most of his face. Adam had no clue what that was about, nor did he care at the moment. Chapman wrapped one arm around Sage’s upper chest, and his other hand clutched a huge hunting knife at her waist.

A crimson haze filled Adam’s vision as he used the side of the truck bed to steady himself.

“Chapman! Let her go!”

The man paused as if surprised anyone had survived the accident, and it gave Sage the split second she needed. Lifting her leg, she scraped the hard heel of her boot down his shin while ducking her chin and sinking her teeth into his forearm with everything she had.

Chapman roared, releasing her and shoving her forward, forcing her to let go. Adam’s heart leaped into his throat as the man swung the knife wildly. Sage tripped and fell to the ground as the blade sliced through the air mere inches from her head.

Without hesitation, he lunged at Chapman, tackling him to the pavement. The knife flew from his hand and skittered across the road. While Chapman outweighed him by a good fifty pounds, Adam’s muscle memory from years of training in Krav Maga, boxing, and wrestling kicked in.

They rolled across the pavement, each trying to gain the upper hand. Fists, elbows, and knees connected as sweat and blood poured from their bodies. Chapman snapped his head forward, aiming for the middle of Adam’s face, but he saw it coming and jerked his head aside at the last second. Instead of his nose taking the blow, pain exploded through his chin, fueling his wrath.

Rolling on top of the bigger man, he wrapped his hands around his throat and squeezed with all his might. Chapman gasped and clawed at Adam’s hands and arms to no avail. His eyes bulged, and his face darkened to crimson as his legs kicked against the pavement. His struggles gradually weakened, but Adam didn’t let go.

He couldn’t think.

He couldn’t feel anything but rage.

A female voice yelling his name penetrated the edges of his mind, but it was a single gunshot that had him whipping his head up in alarm.

Sherman stood next to Sage, the gun in his hand pointed toward the woods. Blood dripped from a laceration on his forehead and stained his white T-shirt as he put a supportive arm around her.

“Let him go, Westfield. It’s over. Let the law give him what he deserves. Don’t let the devil do this to you again.”

His gaze went to Sage’s pale face. Understanding filled her eyes as she pleaded with him. “Let him go, Adam. I’m okay. We’re all okay. Don’t do this, please.”

Dropping his chin, he stared at the pathetic man beneath him. Chapman still gasped for air. Adam had been moments away from killing a man for the second time in his life.

“No.” Shaking his head, he released his grip. Chapman sucked in a ragged breath as Adam pushed off him and stood. He glared down at the man. “You’re not worth it.”

Sirens wailed in the distance as Adam staggered toward Sage, who rushed into his arms. Holding her tightly, he glanced at her neighbor, who now had his cell phone in one hand and the gun aimed at Chapman, just in case. Sherman gave him a solitary nod, silently telling him he’d done the right thing.

Pulling back from Sage just enough to cup her face in his hands, he inspected her for injuries. She had bruises and scrapes, although nothing appeared serious. His gaze met her tearful but relieved one.

“Thank God you’re okay. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to you.” His voice caught as the words he’d been afraid to say finally came out. “I love you, Sage.”