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Before I could react, Michaelson was on me and throwing punches. Pandemonium broke out, and I realized that Ty's guys outside were still in the fight somehow. They hadn't been gunned down even though I knew those fuckers only had knives and short-range guns. There was no way they could fire back at my snipers.
They must have had better cover or armor.
When I landed a punch on Michaelson’s shoulder, I winced, which answered that. The two of us grappled as I shouted orders for them to get the girl and to kill Michaelson’s men. But more of Michaelson’s organization flooded in, going to flank Lia and fighting my guys.
Finally, I knocked Michaelson away and got to my feet, looking for my gun. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him lunge with a knife and barely ducked out of the way in time.
My mouth went dry, and for a second, terror overtook me as Ty stared me down.
Then we heard Lia shout, and he spun, running for her. Spotting my gun less than a foot away, I dove for it and, shaking, got back up, looking for Michaelson. He’d grabbed Lia and was making for the door, a gun in his hands as he battled his way through.
At that moment, one of my guys got between them, and Ty turned to protect Lia, even though the blonde managed to knock my guy on his ass.
I lifted my gun and aimed before Ty could turn back around.
I grinned when he went down like a rabid dog.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Lia
“Ty!”
His name ripped out of me, shredding my throat and my brain struggled to catch up to what was happening. Ty had been next to me, a solid and warm presence, purposeful and strong, fighting like hell to get us out of here.
Now, he sprawled on the ground, his chest rising and falling too quickly, eyes squeezed shut. I couldn’t tell where he’d been hit and what blood was his.
Hands grabbed and lifted me up, causing me to scream out again, thrashing as someone grunted and held onto me with an iron grip. Meanwhile, several of Hendrix’s goons had converged on Ty, forcing him onto his knees with his arms behind his back and several guns pointed at his head.
“No,” I whispered and tried to squirm free. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen; we were supposed to have more time.
Movement in the corner of my eye distracted me. I turned to see Hendrix stalking forward, grinning as he looked at Ty, then over at me and I stilled. Here was the demon I’d caught glimpses of under Hendrix’s suave charm and power games. There was nothing but cruelty twisting in his features now, as violence danced in his cold gaze.
A strangled groan came from Ty and I whipped my head back, seeing that Hendrix’s goon had yanked his arms back further and forced his head up. Now, I could see the blood staining his sleeve, which meant the bullet must have hit his upper arm somewhere.
Hendrix moved forward and aimed a kick at Ty’s injured arm, causing Ty to hiss with pain between his teeth. Then I watched Ty lift his head and grin with fierce wildness, one that made my heart throb even as I trembled in fear.
“You always were the type of bastard to kick a man when he was down, Hendrix,” Ty said. “And with his arms held back, no less. Such a fucking coward.”
Throwing his head back, Hendrix laughed but it sounded forced. When he looked back down, he grinned and slugged Ty across the face. “Death is too good for you, Michaelson. But we’ll get you there eventually — nice and slow.”
He glanced over at me and made a gesture. The guy holding me set me down. But before I could move, another guy had my arms and together they dragged me over. This close, I could see the frantic way Hendrix looked me over, the quickness of his breath and the crazed light in his eyes.
“I wanted you to see this,” Hendrix told Ty, who stiffened and glanced at me with real alarm in his eyes. It was a look I hadn’t seen since the night of the break-in.
My chin was yanked around to face Hendrix while his guys pinned me in place, no matter how much I struggled. Hendrix gazed at me for a moment, then his thumb, bloodied and grimy, swept over my lips; causing me to flinch back.
Still, I tried to bite him.
“Bastard,” I hissed.I’m going to kill you for what you did to my mother.
“I’m going to break you,” Hendrix whispered. “You should’ve run when your mother was killed, Lia.”
Agony cracked through my chest and tears burned in my eyes even as I heard Ty’s furious intake of breath. Then Hendrix grabbed my face.
He crushed his lips against mine and I gagged; my body revolting and bucking as Ty let out a roar of pain and rage that didn’t even sound human. I couldn’t focus on him. My stomachroiled and I wanted to scream as those cold, clammy lips rubbed against my mouth.
A gasp of relief escaped me when Hendrix finally pulled away, only to morph into a whimper of pain as he hit me across the face, hard.
