“You can’t give it to him, Ja—” The arm tightened around her neck, cutting off her air supply.
Her mind ran wild as she struggled to breathe. If Jake handed over the drive, then the person responsible for her brother’s death would go free.
Would the ox let her go? Or would he take the thumb drive and kill both her and Jake anyway?
The thought made her entire body shake. Shadows crowded the edges of her vision, and she focused on Jake’s brown eyes, willing herself not to pass out.
Jake’s eyes met hers. “I won’t let him take you, Emily.”
In his eyes, she saw the same determination Jake showed after getting bucked off the colt. Too bad a soft touch and gentle voice wouldn’t tame a lunatic with a gun like it did the colt.
“Give me the drive, and I’ll release her.”
“I don’t think so. Let her go, and when she’s by my side, I’ll toss you the drive.”
The arm around her neck loosened, and she sucked in the badly needed oxygen that smelled like body odor mingled with oil and rubber.
“Don’t do anything stupid. I won’t hesitate to shoot her, or you.” The arm around her neck slackened, and he poked her between the shoulder blades with the gun to nudge her forward.
She wanted to feel relieved, but she knew he didn’t intend to let her live.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Jake said in a low voice.
Expecting to be shot in the back any second, Emily hobbled forward. She never took her eyes off Jake’s face, who never took his eyes off the ox. As soon as she neared Jake, he stepped between her and the gunman.
She turned in time to see Jake toss the thumb drive. Daniel had told her about Jake’s impeccable aim, so she knew it was no accident that the drive sailed two feet over the ox’s right shoulder. The same arm that held the gun.
The man attempted to catch the drive with his left hand, bringing the gun upward.
Jake rushed him, grabbing the hand with the gun, and tackling the man to the ground.
The ox’s hand slammed into the concrete, sending the gun clattering across the floor.
Emily’s heart leaped to her throat.I knew he was going to do something stupid!
Having the advantage, Jake landed a punch to the ox’s jaw. Then the ox punched Jake in the stomach, ripping a grunt from him.The ox growled and grabbed Jake’s shirt in both hands and rolled, tangling their arms and legs.
The ox now had the advantage, and he used it to pummel Jake.
Fear for Jake seized Emily, blurring her vision. She couldn’t let this man hurt another person she loved. She froze for a moment at the realization that she loved Jake. Then her fear turned to anger.
White-hot heat filled her. She hobbled forward and swung her crutch at the ox’s back as he punched Jake a third time. It barely fazed him, but it drew his attention long enough for Jake to land a punch to the man’s jaw.
Putting all her anger and grief into the motion, she swung again, bringing the crutch down on the man’s head.
The big ox groaned and dropped on Jake’s chest.
Jake shoved the man off him and rolled over. After a long moment, he pushed to his feet. He staggered then dropped to his knees again.
“Jake.” Emily registered the sound of boots on concrete approaching as she reached out to Jake.
“Don’t move! Police!” Robert forced the slowly stirring ox onto his stomach and planted a knee in his back. His eyes cut to Jake. “You okay, man?”
“Took you long enough,” Jake grunted as he staggered to his feet again, this time managing to stay upright. He rubbed the side of his head with one hand as he steadied Emily with the other.
Relieved, Emily sunk into him.
“What are you bellyaching about? Looked like Emily had everything under control.” Robert gave her a quick wink before cuffing the ox and pulling him to his feet. He turned him to face Emily and pulled the hood off the man’s head.
