Her chin wobbles. “Be careful.Please.”
“I will. But I need you to hide. Now.” Taking her hand, I tug her back into the living room. Angling my head towards the hallway that leads to the bedrooms, I add, “Stay in the closet. Don’t come out no matter what you hear. I’ll come for you. Okay?”
After a beat, she nods. In a small voice, she says, “Okay.” And then, “Don’t get hurt, Alec. Please. Stay safe.”
“I will.” Though it hurts to let her go, I release her hand and give her a gentle shove towards the hallway. “Go, sweetheart. Hurry. I need you hidden before this starts.”
With a shaky exhale, Hazel nods again. Then she darts down the hallway, only pausing to look back at me before she reaches the bedroom. Once I hear the door shut, I spin around and head to the kitchen, grabbing my Sig off the coffee table as I go.
As I move towards the back door, my body shifts into combat mode. My muscles tense. My senses go on high alert, searching for the slightest sign of a threat. Though my mind is still caught up with worry for Hazel, I force it aside so I can concentrate on the mission.
Apprehend the two would-be intruders. Restrainthem. Conduct my own interrogation before the police arrive. And if I happen to make them hurt like they hurt Hazel? That would just be a bonus.
Pulling my hood up over my head, I open the back door and slip into the night. We intentionally left the kitchen lights off so nothing would filter through the blinds, so the backyard is almost completely dark save for the slight glow from the crescent moon above.
It’s just dark enough for me to lurk in the shadows along the house without being seen. Dark enough for me to wait for the two intruders to approach and make my attack before they can defend themselves.
I’m almost eager for the fight, rather than accepting it as a necessary part of the battle.
Just as I’m flattening myself against the wall just to the right of the back door, my phone vibrates silently. Pulling it out, I cup my hand around the screen to shield the light as I read Gage’s message.
They’re just coming around the corner of the house. Ready for us?
I immediately respond.
Make a slow approach. Wait for me to engage so we don’t tip them off. Then move in.
A second later, his reply appears on my screen.
Roger. We’ve got your six.
I nod at the phone in silent acknowledgement.
I’m ready for this.
As I wait for the two men to approach, I take a deep breath and ready myself to attack.
My Sig is a comforting weight at my waist, as is my Ka-Bar nestled in my left pocket. But I won’t use them unless I have to. I’d much prefer hand-to-hand combat for this. It’s quieter, first of all. And I’m anticipating that one or both of them are armed, which means I’ll be better off using my hands to disarm them.
A soft rustling comes from my left, just a whisper of sound in the quiet night air. But it’s enough to warn me of their impending approach.
Sequences of moves zip through my mind in preparation. Heel strike. Outside chop. Leg sweep. Back kick. Arm bar. Leg hold.
I should be able to take both of them at once. Although I won’t need to, because the second I engage, Ronan, Knox, and Gage will rush in to join me. In under a minute, we should have the intruders restrained. Soon after, we should have their confession.
Another rustle sounds, this one closer. No more than ten feet away.
My hands clench into fists.
My jaw sets.
I’m ready.
On a held breath, I wait for them. My body buzzes with adrenaline. With anger. With determination.
Then, the first of them moves within reach.
My tamped-down rage surges through me.
