Screams of pain and frustration cut through my thoughts. All I could do was listen.
Did the dog kill him? Did he kill the dog?What’s happening?
There was shouting outside the cabin. It sounded like it was coming from behind me, so I tried turning my head. The ties holding me in place meant I could only see the small dirty window in my peripheral vision.
Mor yelling and Al’s wicked laugh carried inside.
“You brought a fucking dog?” That was Al.
“Where is she?”That’s Nathan. My heart soared at the sound of his voice. Then it sank faster than the Hindenburg.
He’d die trying to save me. We’d both die.
“She’s inside, waiting for her knight in shining armor.”
Knowing there was only one way to save him, I sucked in a deep breath and screamed at the top of my lungs.
Chapter 51
Nathan
Havoc stood on Perpura’s chest, blood dripping down his left front leg as he growled, a mere two inches from Al’s neck. One wrong move and Havoc would rip Al’s throat out.
Fuck, Perpura cut Havoc during the fight. It was hard to tell how bad the injury was, but I had to assume it wasn’t life-threatening since Havoc showed no signs of weakening.
I sent Doug to help Jay and Cate cover the front and left the rest of Sierra to cover the back. “If anyone moves, shoot them.”
Seeing Al again brought back memories. My skin itched, and my breath came in short bursts.
I can’t afford to have a panic attack right now.
“Breathe,” Kroup said beside me. “We’ve got him.”
We did. I counted as I breathed in and out. In and out.
Kroup ordered Havoc off Al’s chest. Havoc stood near Al—eyes glued to Kroupa—ready to attack the instant the command was given.
John zip-tied Al’s hands behind his back. Al complained about the nasty dog bites on his arm, groin, and ankle. From the looks of it, he’d fought hard. But Havoc fought harder.
Kroup gave the command for Havoc to stand down once John and AJ had rifles pointed at Perpura’s head.
“You can’t ignore my wounds. You’re the good guys.”
I glanced at his bloody, torn arm and broken fingers. Not life threatening. No doubt the bites to his thighs and groin hurt like hell, but if those injuries were going to kill him, he’d already be dead. I couldn’t see his ankle wound through his bloody, torn pants, but he’d live. I almost said, you’ll live, but if I had my way, he wouldn’t. “Those wounds won’t kill you.” I turned towards Sierra One. “Don’t get close enough for him to touch you.”
Perpura’s laugh grated on my nerves. “Dude, I’m all tied up.” It didn’t matter. Knowing I wouldn’t kill him until Ashley was safe, he’d kick and bite just to inflict pain.
When I asked where Ashley was, the fucker had the nerve to cackle.
“She’s inside, waiting for her knight in shining armor.”
A second later, a piercing scream came from the cabin.
Ashley!
I turned and sprinted to the window. Sure enough, Ashley sat in a chair, ropes dangling off the back and sides. She faced the door, so I couldn’t see her face, but it was definitely her.
When her head moved, confirming she was alive, I released my breath.
