“Andme. For real, and again.” She looked up into his face. His eyes had gone soft and warm, his head slightly tilted as he gazed back down at her. “I love you, Brock. I know it’s crazy-early to be saying that, but time is short and precious, and—”
His lips claimed hers in a hard, hot kiss. She moaned into his mouth as love and relief surged through her. She was safe in his arms where she belonged and he knew she loved him. She couldn’t ask for more.
And yet he gave it to her. He eased their kiss to a stop and cupped her face in his hands. “I love you too, Brianna. From the moment I saw you, I loved you. How’s that for crazy-early, baby?”
She grinned. “I’ll take it.”
“Yeah, you will.” He kissed her again and the rest of the world faded away like the last high note at the end of a song. There were only the two of them in the entire world.
“Now,” he whispered against her lips. “Let’s get you checked out with the EMTs.”
Brock and Brianna turned and started toward the ambulance when Flint stopped them.
“We have a situation,” he said. “Jerold Glass is gone.”
Chapter 16
Brock stiffened, rage taking over the happiness he’d just felt at Brianna’s words. “Are you fucking kidding me? I’m damn sure he’s behind this.” He cupped Brianna’s face quickly before letting her go and turning to address the situation. “Someone get her to an EMT. Where’s my dog?” He sprinted to the SUV. He’d opened the doors to give Valkyrie air while he was helping with the rescue. She waited patiently in her crate but now her body went taut with expectation. Brock released her and took out the plastic bag he’d stuffed in his pocket earlier. He unzipped the top and let the dog get a whiff of Jerold’s scent.
Then he commanded her to track.
They ran as fast as Brock could go, farther down the road toward Lyons. Sure enough, Brock saw a figure up ahead at the next pull-off, waiting in the shadow of the trees.
“Glass! What are you—”
As soon as he spotted Brock and Valkyrie, Jerold took off running.
Stupid motherfucker. Brock unhooked Valkyrie and gave the command to catch and hold, the way Alex had trained him and the rest of the guards at Watchdog. The dog quickly shortened the distance. Jerold yelled and put on speed—to little effect.
“Just stop running,” Brock shouted. The idiot was in no shape to be outrunning a Malinois trained to catch and hold a combatant, and a former Swick used to running six to ten miles every day.
Jerold stopped and turned.At least the dumb asshole has that much sense. Except the insane grin on his face said otherwise.
Time slowed as Brock watched Jerold pull out his gun, then aim it straight at Valkyrie.
Brock reached for his P228 Sig. “Wouldn’t do that.”
“Then call it off!”
Valkyrie slowed but didn’t stop.
“Drop your gun, Glass.”
“Fuckingcall it off!”
“Drop. Your. Gun.” Brock aimed for Jerold’s head.
A car engine grew louder, coming up the hill.Fuck. “Valkyrie, heel!” The dog spun around and ran back toward Brock.
Jerold pulled the trigger.
Asphalt chips and dust flew up beside Valkyrie, who doubled her speed. Jerold raised his gun and pointed it at Brock.
The car sped into view and did the stupidest thing ever—pulled a U-turn between Valkyrie and Jerold and stopped. A new, plateless Dodge Charger, probably straight off Jerold’s lot.
“Bitch! What the fuck took you so long?” Still pointing the gun at Brock, Jerold threw the passenger-side door open and jumped in. They sped off toward Lyons.
Valkyrie reached Brock as he pulled out his cell and started jogging back to the others. When Sergeant Williams answered, Brock said, “Sergeant, Brock Jones here at—” He passed a mile marker, turned, and read it off. “Glass is headed toward Lyons.” He gave a quick description of the Dodge. “Consider him armed and dangerous, probably coked up and I’ll drop off proof of that. Crazy son of a bitch took a shot at my dog and aimed at me. You’ll find a divot in the pavement and the casing just on the other side of the pull-off here. Among other things, you’re gonna want him for questioning in this so-called van accident.”
