“What is your husband’s name?”Delgado demanded of Alana.
“I’m not married,” she replied.
Delgado tightened his hold on her neck.“Tell me his name, or I’ll kill you now.”
Alana’s cheeks turned red, then purple.
Chase nearly climbed over the edge of the wall and dropped down onto Delgado.His body burned with the heat of his anger.
“Joe Smith,” Alana choked out.“His name is Joe Smith.”
Delgado loosened his hold enough that she could breathe again.“You are lying.But you better hope he comes.”Then he turned toward the gate.“Chase Flannigan,” he called out.“Come forward now, or I’ll kill your pretty wife.”
“He’s not here,” Alana said.“And he’s not my husband, I tell you.He won’t come for me.He has no reason to.”Her voice was gravelly and shook with each word.Still, she stuck to her story and refused to confirm Chase’s name.Hell, she had no reason to believe he would come for her.She likely thought he didn’t have any way to find her.
His heart squeezed hard in his chest.The woman stood bravely in the face of a murderer.His estimation of her grew even more.He’d known she was feisty by her reaction when she’d woken up after their crazy night.She’d been bound and determined to set things right.
Now surrounded by men who could easily rape or kill her, she dared to defy them.Chase wished he could spare her this nightmare.He was the one Delgado wanted.Yet, Alana was the one bearing the brunt of the cartel leader’s anger.
As much as Chase wanted to go down and challenge Delgado face-to-face, he was in the right position to take him out.All he needed was an opportunity.If only Alana could lean her head forward or slide downward.
Delgado raised the barrel of his pistol and fired a round into the air.“The next one goes into her, unless you come forward.”
A hand on Chase’s arm made him jump.
“Go,” Trevor whispered.“I’ll take the shot.Try to get her to duck.”
Knowing Trevor was even a better shot than he was, Chase relinquished his position and backed away from the edge.Afraid Delgado would make good on his promise to kill Alana, Chase ran down the stairs and out through the front entrance of the house.
“Don’t shoot,” Chase called out.He held up the rifle he’d brought with him and raised his other hand in surrender.“Please, don’t shoot her.Let her go and take me.It’s me you want anyway.”
Delgado’s men shifted their aim to dead-center on Chase’s chest.But Delgado didn’t lower the barrel of his pistol from Alana’s temple.“You have dishonored me in front of my men.For this, you will pay.”
“Then let me pay.Let the woman go free.”Chase met Alana’s gaze and held it.
Alana gave him a sad smile.“You shouldn’t have come.He’ll kill me anyway.”
“Not if I can help it.I wouldn’t have you hurt, no matter if youduckedout on me,” he said, praying she’d get the hint from the emphasis on one word.
Alana frowned.“I didn’t duck out on you.Delgado’s driver took off with me.”
“Delgado is an animal,” Chase said, widening his eyes as he willed her to understand his coded messages.“A duck who quacks too much.”
“Enough of your words,” Delgado demanded.“Throw down your weapon now.”
“You made a pass at my wife in that bar and refused to back down.I did what any husband would do and defended my wife.”Chase lifted his chin and glared at Delgado.“As far as I’m concerned, you got what you deserved.”
“This is my country.”Delgado tightened his hold on Alana’s neck.“I do as I please.”The cartel leader drew the gun away from Alana’s temple and pointed it at Chase.“And it pleases me to kill you.”
Alana jabbed her elbow into Delgado’s ribs.
Chase sucked in a breath and ducked, sure he would be shot.
Delgado’s hand jerked.The weapon went off, the shot going wide of the target, catching one of his own men’s right arm.The man cursed, dropped his gun and slapped a hand over his wound.
Delgado’s hold loosened on Alana’s neck.
She slammed her fist into his crotch.“That is my husband you’re talking about, and I’m not ready to call it quits on him,” she said through gritted teeth.“I’ve barely gotten to know him.”
