“Can’t believe”—She winced and put a hand to her raw throat—“you came.”
“Shh, don’t talk.” He grabbed a nearby blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Help is on the way.”
In seconds, his bedroom became a swarm of activity.
Their unit crowded in to make sure Riley was okay. Jake, Trevor, and the rest of Alpha Team immediately followed, barging through the door to do the same.
While they waited for the paramedics, Cap cleared the room. With the exception of the young officer he put in charge of watching over Hayes’ body, only he and Riley remained.
The others went into his living room and kitchen area, but that was as far as any of them would go.
Eric’s gaze fell back to Riley’s neck. The marks there making him want to kill Hayes all over again.
Jesus, that was close. Too. Fucking. Close.
“I’m o-okay. I don’t need”—she swallowed again—“an ambulance.”
“You were almost killed by a fucking serial killer, and I’m about two seconds away from losing my shit. So please, baby,” Eric pleaded with her. “Don’t fight me on this.”
Tears filled her eyes as she placed a hand to his cheek. “Okay.”
The medics arrived—fucking finally—and they immediately went to work checking her over. Finished with their initial assessment, they began leading him and Riley out of the room when the unthinkable happened.
Sounds of a struggle reached Eric’s ears. He and Riley turned back to see what was happening, right as the young officer shouted, “He’s got my gun!”
Everything moved in slow motion. The events of the next few seconds feeling as if they occurred simultaneously.
Hayes pulled the trigger, shooting the man who’d been guarding him at point blank range. The officer fell backward as Hayes then turned the gun in Riley’s direction.
“Not...how this...ends!”
Eric made a move to push Riley out of harm’s way, but Riley had already pulled Eric’s Glock from his holster.
“You’re right.” She pulled the trigger. “This is.”
The bullet hit Hayes in the center of his forehead. He dropped dead where he stood.
“Jesus Christ!” Derek stood in his doorway.
Both medics were behind him, their faces matching Derek’swhat the fuckexpression. They shook it off quickly, however, and raced to the fallen officer.
Thankfully, the bullet hit the guy’s vest. He was conscious and talking but would still need to be checked out at the hospital.
A bullet that close—even with the vest—could do some serious damage.
They got word that a second ambulance was already close by, which was good news for the young cop. But it also meant this place was about to become even more crowded than it already was.
I need to get her out of here. Away from all these people. Away from the bastard who nearly took her away from me.
“Here.” Riley handed him back his gun.
With a trembling hand, Eric took it and slid it back in its rightful place. “You okay?”
She nodded, her eyes rising to meet his. “I couldn’t let him hurt you again.”
Ah, baby.
“Damn, brother.” Derek looked at Hayes’ body and shook his head. “And Mom always got ontomefor having a mess in my room.”
