Mila keeps her head bowed and her eyes downcast, but I catch the tension in her shoulders, the way she flinches ever so slightly when the guy gets a little too close. Her whole body is on high alert, and for good reason.
Men like this will show no mercy just because she’s a woman. If anything, it will only make the game that much more entertaining.
I could storm in there right now and catch him off guard, but that would only alert whoever he’s on the phone with that something’s wrong, and they might send backup. I need to time this just right if Mila and I are to make it out of here alive.
So, I wait.
The seconds tick by like hours, and my palms start to sweat as adrenaline pumps through my body. But I stay silent and still, biding my time until I can make my move.
The moment the guy pulls the phone away from his ear and ends the call, I push open the door and charge into the room like a feral animal on a hunt.
My body reacts before my mind has a chance to overthink, and I let all the pent-up adrenaline fuel me as I pull back the bat and slam it into the back of his head with as much power as I can muster.
He stumbles forward onto his knees, clutching at his head, causing both his phone and gun to crash to the floor.
I drop the bat and dive for the floor, snatching up both the phone and gun before he has a chance to realize his mistake.
The gun feels foreign in my hands, which are shaking so badly I can barely keep the barrel steady.
“Get the hell away from my friend.”
Even my voice shakes as I watch the man slowly turn around to face me, but I refuse to let my fear win. Blood trickles down the side of his head, but his eyes are clear and brimming with fury as he looks up at me.
For a moment, we just stare at each other until he suddenly starts laughing. The sound is cold and lifeless as it echoes around the room, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Who are you working for?”
He only continues to laugh.
“Answer me, or I’ll shoot you.” My voice trembles, making my threat sound weak, but I sneak a glance at Mila and know in that moment that I would do it. I would gladly stain my hands with his blood if it meant she got to walk away from this.
“Ciara,” Mila croaks, but I ignore her.
The guy sneers as he looks up at me, his pale eyes gleaming with challenge. “You don’t have the balls to shoot me.”
I don’t falter. I tighten my grip on the gun, my finger hovering over the trigger as I try to muster the courage to shoot.
“Try me.”
He grins wider, exposing a few gold teeth at the back of his mouth before climbing to his feet.
His movements are slow, and a deep groan builds in his throat as he straightens, but I know even in his weakened state, if he manages to get his hands on me, it’ll all be over.
I have no choice.
I have to do this.
“You’re not a killer, sweet cheeks.” He moves to take a step closer.
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m not a killer. But I’ll gladly become one for the sake of Mila.
I ready myself to pull the trigger when the air shifts behind me.
His presence envelops me even before I register the sounds of his steady footsteps as they approach, sheer power and purpose in every step.
“She might not have the balls to shoot you. But I sure as hell do.”
Ronan.
