Ignoring me, Bradley grabs my elbow and hooks his arm around my neck. Tripping over my feet when his grip tightens, he yanks me viciously against his chest. Slightly aware of Sage making her way down the stairs, I can’t focus on anything. Something cold presses against my temple, and terror races along my veins as I realize it’s the muzzle of a pistol.
“Put the gun down, asshole!” Sage shouts from the bottom step.
My frantic eyes dart to her where she has the rifle at the ready but doesn’t have a clear shot because the man who’s been controlling me for years is using me as a human fucking shield. We both know she won’t risk hitting me.
“Coward,” I grit out as I claw at his arm, kicking and squirming in an effort to get him to drop me.
“You’re mine, Noah. I have the paper to prove it.” He chuckles darkly as he drags me backward while cutting off my air supply. Stars burst in my vision as everything gets hazy.
Bradley drags me down the porch steps as the sound of an approaching vehicle makes hope soar but also fills me with anxiety.That’s gotta be Jo.I dig my nails in, breaking his skin, and he curses under his breath as he spins us around and releases my neck only to grab a fistful of hair at the back of my head. The force of his grip begins to tear strands from my scalp. It’s like being pricked by a thousand needles tipped with fire.
He jerks me around to face the oncoming beat-up farm truck as it pulls up behind his SUV. Grandma Jo bursts into action, determination in her gaze as she strides closer, weapon clutched in her hands. She’s still a good distance away when she stops, snapping, “Put your weapon down and let her go, Mr. Hemstock. Or don’t. I’d love nothing more than to shoot your sorry ass.”
Shaking his head, a chuckle spills from his lips. “Granny’s got a gun, huh?”
When he only yanks on my hair again in response, tearing a cry from my lips, Josie raises a brow, then takes the safety off. “You bet your ass I do. And unfortunately for you, I know how to use it.”
Hot tears prick my eyes as the searing pain at the back of my head increases. Footsteps somewhere behind us give me a clue that Sage is near, but I don’t know how close. A sob wrenches from my lips as Bradley pulls my head to the side so he can stare down at me. “You’re mine, Noah. Always will be.” And then he licks a repulsive stripe along my jaw, smirking into my eyes as I shudder in his hold. “I’m taking her home and you’re not going to stop me.”
In the glare of headlights, I can see the way Jo’s back straightens and the smirk lifts one corner of her lips. This is the first I’ve ever noticed how much Kade’s mannerisms mimic hers. “That girl’s already home. You’re the one who doesn't belong ’round these parts.” Her eyes connect with mine before briefly shifting to a spot right behind Bradley, then nods.
The boom of shotgun fire explodes, and my body jolts at the same time Bradley lets go of my hair, dropping his pistol in the process. Without hesitation, I kick it out of his reach and spin away from him, seeking out Sage.
“What the hell kind of backwoods shit is this?” Bradley growls. He’s too busy staring in shock at the SUV to notice what I’m doing. “You shot my tire, you crazy bitch!”
My eyes lock on Sage’s and when I get to her, she shoves the rifle into my hands. I spin around and use allthe fury I feel as I bring the butt of the weapon down on the back of Bradley’s head.
Stunned, he collapses into the dirt—where his disgusting ass belongs. It takes several seconds before he even rolls over, and when he does, he stares at me with the rifle trained on him, lips flapping like a fucking fish. He lifts a hand to his head, and it comes away bloody. Blinking down at the sticky wetness, he grunts out, “You hit me, you cunt.”
“Payback’s a bitch,” I snarl, lips curling. “And that’s not even close to what you deserve.”
He struggles to his feet, clearly out of it and unsteady. “That’s gonna cost you. I’ll add it to the rest of your debt.”
Standing my ground, I square my shoulders. “I don’t owe you a damn thing.”
My defiance adds fuel to Bradley’s rage, and he lunges toward me.
Josie lifts the shotgun. “Wrong move, asshole.” Her gaze catches mine, and she jerks her head, warning me to get to a safe distance. I retreat several steps, and she pulls the fuckin’ trigger.
The spray of pellets catches Bradley in the kneecap, and he shrieks, his balance buckling. On the ground, he writhes, clutching at his knee. “You shot me, you old bat!” His eyes flash to the blood oozing from his leg, his face pales, and he passes out.
Gun trained on him, Jo stalks closer, “Fuckin’ city boy. I gave him sufficient warning.” She shrugs. “I’m not a parrot, I don’t repeat myself.”
With a shaky exhale, I squeeze my eyes shut for a second just as Sage wraps her arms around me. “Fuck, you scared me.” She lifts a gentle hand to the back of my head, cradling it. “You okay?”
“It hurts like a bitch.” My eyes track over to Bradley’s still form.
Jo smiles at me, shotgun and a wary eye still trained on her target. “Good job, baby doll.”
“Thanks. You too.” I peer over at the useless piece of shit as his wounds slowly seep blood into the dirt.
Josie eyes me as she tucks a few stray strands of hair behind her ear, then heads over to check Bradley for a pulse. “That’ll do. He’s still kickin,’ but out cold.”
“What’s going on in that head of yours, Jo?” Sage gives her a curious look.
“Think we can manage to get him into the back of my pickup?” Grandma Jo shoots us a devious grin. I don’t claim to know what her plan is, but whatever hell she’s concocting can’t be good. Not for Bradley, anyway.
I look over at Sage, and she shrugs. “Let’s do it.”
