“No. No. No. I think I’ll keep him,” Dakota winks at me. “You never know when you’re going to need a spare body.”
Ice coats my spine and surrounds my stomach. Yep. I’m killing this shitstain today.
“Why are you so adamant about finding me, Helfinger? What do you want? Revenge?”
“No, I want you to make more bombs for me,” Dakota points at me with the gun. “And since I know about your background with the ATF, I think you’ll be an excellent addition to my team. If you make enough, maybe I’ll let you and your little boyfriend here go in a few months. Or, maybe a year.”
I can’t help myself. I laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. You think you’re going to kidnap a federal agent and her boy toy and take us to your lair? Forcing me to make bombs for you? What makes you think I’ll do that?”
He points the gun back at Ryan’s head. “Because he’s not a boy toy to you, is he? He’s your son.”
Cocksucker. How in the world did he find that out? I’ve kept Ryan’s existence quiet. He has a different last name. We’re careful when I’m undercover.
“You once told me you wouldn’t get on your knees for any man…”
“I said,I kneel for no man, you fucking shitstain. You need to quote me correctly. Of course, I’m not surprised you would get my words wrong. You’re like one of those guys who tries to mansplain space travel to women astronauts. As if they don’t already know about it,” I raise my chin in defiance.
“Fine. Whatever,” Dakota lifts a shoulder. “You kneel for no man. But would you kneel forthisman? Would you kneel before me to save his life?”
“Every fucking time.”
“Then, down you go,” Dakota squeals with delight. At least, I think it’s his version of delight. It sounds more like a pig in heat.
I drop to my knees and take one last glance at Ryan. “I’m sorry, kid. This is not the way I wanted to go out, for sure.”
“S’okay,” Ryan shrugs. “Even if my life is short, I’ll always remember the lessons you gave me.”
A light twinkles in his blue eyes, and I grin. Ah, yes. His lessons.
About six years ago, Ryan begged me to train him in self-defense. Not because he was being bullied, but he was considering a career in law enforcement. He wanted to know if he had what it took. If he was tough enough.
“The one about bodyweight?” I smile wider.
“Loved that one,” Ryan winks as he falls to the ground. Dakota loses his grip on Ryan, who rolls out of the way.
Dakota is speechless as I reach behind me to grab my gun. I level it at his face, but a heavy stream of water punches the domestic terrorist in the gut before I can fire a round.
Ryan grabs Dakota’s gun when it falls to the ground.
Dakota is rolling back and forth as he takes more highly-pressurized water to the face.
I’m in shock. And probably dead. That must be why I’m having this surreal moment. I turn toward the water source to find Aaron standing next to a pumper truck. I hadn’t heard it roll up over the rumble of the dump truck’s engine.
Aaron holds the hose like he’s Poseidon.
Or an avenging angel.
It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
Aaron doesn’t stop shooting Dakota in the face until the 300 gallons inside the tank are depleted.
The rushing water sound is replaced by instant silence until I hear sirens in the distance. Ryan keeps the gun trained on a soaking wet Dakota.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Aaron drops the hose and moves in my direction. “I had a little trouble starting the truck.”
“Why did you drive the pumper?”
He shrugs. “Only vehicle I had available.”
