He steps forward until I can make out his features. Thick, brawny frame, bushy brows on a large forehead and square face, long nose and thin lips that tip in a familiar smile. The security guard who let me into the building with a smile earlier. Except he's no mall cop.
"Roark sends his regards," he says, voice low and amused as he aims between my eyes.
I've stared death in the face enough to be old friends. It's not really a surprise it would show up on the night I mean to walk away. Didn’t expect my employer to be the one to send the reaper. "Why?"
"No one walks away from the company."
So, the rumors were true. Retirement is a ticket to the grave. I shouldn't have asked about the fate of the man who mentored me in this business. Somehow Roark heard and deduced my plan.
"I am."
He cocks the pistol.
Gemma gasps, her fist gripping the back of my jacket as she huddles close. "No," she whispers.
That one hushed word breaks through my internal barriers. I won't die today. Not when she needs me to keep her safe.
“Five hundred for Townsend. Five more each for the girl and you.A million and a half before midnight. Lucky for me you hesitated.”The man tips his head, trying to see around me and his smile widens. "She’s prettier than her dossier photo. Might take a little bonus from her before I collect."
My blood heats, searing my veins and thrumming in my ears. I grab the wrist of his gun hand, holding it wide and slam my elbow into his nose, the snap loud in the darkness.
He grunts.
"You don't look at her," I growl, twisting his wrist until it snaps, and the gun drops to the ground. "You don't even think about her." I punch him hard.
He spins to one side, the smile wiped from his face as he snarls and rounds on me.
I'm faster. Two more punches take him to his knees. "You won't tell him," I murmur into the darkness, "but I'm coming for Roark too."
I don’t reach for my gun. I lock my arm around his throat and finish him.
His body slumps to the side.
I turn back to Gemma, breath sawing in and out of my lungs, and meet her wide, frightened gaze.
There's no hiding what I am.
And I'm the only thing standing between her and the men who want her dead.
CHAPTER FOUR
GEMMA
Dallas stands in the alley cloaked with shadows and holds his hand out to me.
They're clean. Not a speck of blood on them even though a body lies at his feet.
Mine are stained dark red from my father. He was dead before he collapsed into my arms. Someone killed him and they're after me too? Does this have to do with the papers I signed?
"Gemma. It's not safe."
Dallas.
He's a stranger. I shouldn't trust him. But he showed up when I needed him and got me out of there. He killed that man to protect me.
I shiver though the night is warm and sticky with humidity and look at Dallas's outstretched hand. Whoever he is, he's not trying to kill me.
I stretch my trembling fingers out and put my palm in his.
