She grimaced as if the devil himself had touched her.
David gritted his teeth. The desire to put his fist in the man’s face was overwhelming. But right now, his priority was Jennie.
“You might as well let her go and put the knife down. There’s no way out.” David held his aim steady. He watched for a shot, but the blade was too close. One minor flinch and the Adam would slice her throat.
Adam’s breathing rate increased. Sweat dripped from his brow.
The man was unstable, and David didn’t know how much longer they had before the creep would do something stupid.
“You want this cheating little witch? Then you can have her!” Adam yelled and threw Jennie’s limp, semi-conscious body at him and ran down the hall.
David caught her with one arm and cradled her against his chest.
Brandon tore off running after Adam. “I’ve got him.”
David scooped Jennie in his arms and laid her on the couch.
Rick rushed in. “I’ll take care of her. Go.”
He placed a kiss on her forehead and stared at Rick for a moment, willing his teammate to protect her with his life.
Rick nodded.
With assurance Jennie would be safe, David sprinted through the front door and around the back of the house in time to see Brandon climb through a small window and take off into the woods.
Faint light filtering through the trees. He caught a glimpse of a figure dodging brush and limbs. David’s long legs ate up the ground. His injuries hidden by adrenaline. Catching up with Brandon, the two pumped through the dense growth.
“He’s headed to the highway.” Brandon pointed toward the end of the woods.
Drumming footfalls and labored breaths filled the night air.
Adam sprinted up the small embankment and onto the road.
Tires squealed. David crested the ditch just in time to see Adam’s body tumble over the hood of a car and slam onto the ground with a thud.
He jumped over the edge of the road and ran to where Adam lay. He kept his gun aimed at the man until Brandon joined him.
His partner knelt next to the man’s body and placed two fingers on his neck. “He’s still alive. Better get the ambulance.”
David held his position until Brandon finished his search for additional weapons. Although, the action was in vain. Adamwasn’t getting up from the accident. In fact, it would be a miracle if he lived.
Holstering his Glock, David grabbed his radio and requested paramedics, adding, “Jennie comes first. Then you can save this sleaze ball.”
“Copy that. Ms. Nielson is already in route to the hospital, and Detective Pratt is following with Zoey.” a voice from the speaker stated.
Adrenaline fading, David rested his hands on his knees and sucked in air. He tilted his head, finding his partner on one knee with his head in his hands inhaling just as heavily.
Everything in David wanted to race to the hospital and be with Jennie. Wanted to make sure she was okay.
He huffed in frustration. “I don’t even know her condition.”
Brandon shifted and met his gaze. “She was alive when we found her. Hang on to that.”
Praying was all he could do. His job required him to stay and handle the situation at hand.
But what if Jennie didn’t make it? How would he ever survive?
***
