Page 95 of Keeping Penny

He wasn’t going to last much longer. And the only consolation he had was that if he died, this asshole wouldn’t be able to sell him. That, and the fact that Bowie wasn’t here.

He felt in his bones that she was okay. She was a smart little kid. She’d find someone to help her, get her back to her mom. He’d done what he’d set out to do, protect her. He didn’t want to die, but he had no regrets.

“Give it up already,” the man taunted. “You’re not looking so good. Might as well let me end this quick. I can slit your throat so you won’t feel any more pain.”

“Go fuck yourself,” Pyro muttered—then lunged. Satisfaction filled him when the guy shrieked as the blade sank into his belly.

Pyro leapt back just as quickly, and the man covered the wound with his free hand.

“You’re gonna fucking pay for that!” he screeched.

The room wavered, and Pyro blinked, bringing everything back into focus. He was running on pure adrenaline, and they both knew it. All the man had to do was keep Pyro on his feet for a few more minutes and he’d pass out from lack of blood. Then he could go in for the kill with no interference.

The sound of the elevator’s engines humming had them both pausing for a split second.

“Sounds like the assholes upstairs finally got bored and are coming down to see what the fuck’s taking so long. You’re a dead man.”

Pyro’s lips pressed together. He could continue to fight one man for a little bit longer, but two? Or three? There was no way.

But he wasn’t giving up. It wasn’t in his nature. He had a future to look forward to. A family. Something he’d never had, and he wasn’t going to give it up without one hell of a fight.

The two men circled each other once more, but Pyro had to blink twice to try to rid himself of the black spots in his eyes.

As if he knew how much Pyro was struggling—which wasn’t difficult, considering how much blood he’d lost—the other man grinned. “This almost isn’t fun anymore. It’s too easy,” he taunted. His back was to the elevator as he bent his knees slightly, ready to pounce.

Pyro clenched his teeth against the pain coursing through him. He was going to do everything in his power to take this asshole out with him. His fingers tightened on the knife and his gaze zeroed in on the man’s throat. All he needed was one lucky thrust and he could sever the man’s carotid artery. Or slice through his esophagus. He normally wasn’t so bloodthirsty, but picturing a terrified Bowie in his mind did the trick, crawling across the back lawn as she blindly made her way toward the ocean.

“Bring it,” Pyro growled, narrowing his eyes.

The elevator dinged once more, and Pyro knew if he lived through this, he’d hear that sound in his nightmares. He didn’t dare take his eyes off the knife in the other man’s hand. He had to avoid getting hit at all costs. He couldn’t afford to lose even one more drop of blood. Not if he wanted to live.

And Pyro wanted to live. Desperately.

“About time you got your fucking asses down here. Grab him!” Knife Man said without turning around, when the whoosh of the elevator door sounded.

“No problem,” a familiar voice drawled.

Startled, Pyro looked over his assailant’s shoulder—and saw Casper, Chaos, and Buck.

They all looked extremely pissed off.

Buck lunged, tackling the man and taking him down to the concrete floor like a sack of potatoes.

To everyone’s surprise, the guy grunted…but he didn’t fight back.

It was obvious why when Buck jumped off him, turning him over with his foot while aiming his weapon between his eyes.

No. He definitely didn’t need to worry about the man fighting back. The knife he’d been holding at the ready was now lodged in his throat—right where Pyro had been hoping to aim for next. His eyes were wide open in shock, his mouth opening and closing, making him look like a fish out of water.

Chaos leaned down to check the man lying by the elevator, the one Pyro had clocked with a chair.

Casper made a beeline for Pyro. “Stand down, soldier,” he said calmly.

Pyro hadn’t realized he was still crouched on his good leg in a fighting stance, ready to make a last stand for his life. It took a moment to understand that it was over. The men who’d kidnapped him and Bowie were either out for the count or dying, and his friends were there.

He dropped the knife he’d been holding in a death grip, and it clattered to the floor.

“Good God, it’s a bloodbath down here,” Chaos said.