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If it was the former, Kent would reposition around to the back of the barn, cutting off any escape for Seth. But if it was the latter, and his partner, his friend, was dead, Eklund would put a gun to the back of Brian’s head, and this would be over.
He didn’t glance over his shoulder. Instead, he focused on Charlie. Her face was bruised. She was covered in mud. Blood ran down her bare arm and stomach where she’d been cut. But there was something so hard and cold in her expression that it was startling.
“Me for her.” Brian raised his hands. His finger off the trigger, but his grip still on the gun. “Let her go and take me instead.”
“Brian.” The intensity of Charlie’s stare burned through him. Those green eyes were laser sharp. “Aim and pull the trigger.” She tried to nod, but Seth’s grip was too tight around her neck.
“Don’t test me,” Seth warned. “I will put a bullet in her.”
The urge to beat this guy to a bloody pulp flared hot through Brian, but he stayed put. For Charlie’s sake.
She clutched the arm at her throat, struggling to push it down. “I should’ve said this sooner. I love you.” Her whispered admission cut through the barn, gutting him. “It’s okay.”
She was making the tough call, giving him permission to take the shot. To do his job.
But how could she think that he would risk her life? “No, Charlie. I can’t.” Not now. Not ever.
“You have to do it,” she said, her voice like steel.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Seth said. “I’m going to walk out of here with her. And you’re not going to follow me.
“If he takes me,” Charlie said, “I die anyway.”
The ways this could play out right along with the odds had already gone through his head. Seth wasn’t taking her anywhere. But he needed Charlie to trust that he had a plan.
“Toss your weapon!” Seth ordered.
Brian dropped it. His Glock landed on the barn floor with a thud.
“Kick it away!” Seth scurried toward the back of the barn with Charlie in tow. “Right now.”
Brian swept the gun aside with his foot, sending it skidding into a dark corner.
Seth reached the back door and shoved on it, realizing it was locked. Moving the gun away from Charlie’s temple, he popped the padlock with two bullets.
The door swung open. Kent, DCI Logan Powell, Chief Deputy Holden Powell and another deputy appeared on the other side.
Charlie thrusted backward, forcefully, giving Seth a sharp headbutt.
The violent blow over her skull to his face stunned him.
Brian bent down. Snatched the Beretta from his ankle holster.
Seth scurried backward into a corner, into the protection of two walls with Charlie as his shield. Before he could reposition the gun to her head, she sank her teeth into the arm around her throat. Seth howled in pain and slammed the butt of the gun down against her head.
Brian’s stomach went into freefall as she went limp like a rag doll. Her deadweight tugged on him, forcing him to let her go. As she hit the ground, Seth turned the gun on her.
But Brian aimed and fired. He shot him twice in the throat, putting an end to him.
He hurried to Charlie, hauling her into his lap, cradling her head. “Open your eyes, honey.”
She didn’t move. Her skin cold and clammy, her face pale.
The other men charged inside. One checked Seth for a pulse.
Kent dropped to a knee beside him. “Is she—”
“No,” Brian said. “But we need an ambulance.”
