Lucian was pinned into the dirt, Church’s knee lodged between his shoulders. He had Lucian’s arm wrenched back at an angle he couldn’t escape.
She tore away from Luke and ran over. When she came to a stop feet away, her entire body shook with the adrenaline crashing through her system. Smoke fogged the air and the shouts of the crew faded to the background.
All she could see was the man she loved—alive, unhurt and in control.
His cold tone cut through everything else. “Congrats, Lucian. Not many people get to survive long enough to be tried for treason.”
Lucian’s face was smashed into the gravel, but she saw his lips pull across his teeth as the word hit him. Treason.
He let out a broken laugh with no humor at all. “Kill me now.”
Church’s fingers twitched on is weapon. For a moment, time slowed, measured by the steady thud of her heart.
“You don’t get an easy end,” Church gritted out.
He wouldn’t let Lucian die before answering for what he’d done. He would live and answer for it.
Boots thundered in from all sides as the security crew closed in fast.
“On me,” Church barked without looking away from Lucian.
Two of the security guys rushed in, one taking Lucian’s shoulders and the other, his legs. Another moved in with restraints in hand.
Lucian began to fight, but it was useless because Church kept him pinned flat. “Don’t move, you son of a bitch,” he growled.
The security team cinched zip ties around Lucian’s wrists and ankles. Church hauled him up to his knees and forced his head back.
Lucian spit at him, and Church cocked his fist, driving it into his mouth with a blow that rocked his head.
Zee sucked in a shaky breath as she saw his ruined mouth, streaked with blood. His eyes were wild with the realization it was all over.
“Secure transport,” Church ordered one of the men, rising to his feet in one smooth motion. “Full watch. He doesn’t move without two on him at all times.”
“Yes, sir.”
Church didn’t walk away. He stood there for a moment, shoulders tense. Then as if he’d mastered control of himself, he stepped up close to Lucian so the man had to meet his eyes.
“This is for Matt. And for Zee.”
Lucian’s lip curled, but he had nothing left to do and no power to act.
They dragged Lucian away. Only when he was ten yards out…twenty…only then did Church turn to her.
He moved forward in quick strides. Smoke drifted across the set, and the air reeked of burned powder. People shouted and hurried around them, but none of that was her world.
He hit his knees in front of her.
“Christ, Zee.” He whipped out a knife and cut her bonds first, then he hauled her into his arms.
“Easy, love. Easy. I’ve got you.”
She closed her eyes and thanked God that it was over, that Lucian got what was coming to him all this time.
And so grateful that she had Church.
He carried her a few feet away from the chaos and set her on the edge of a big equipment case. She wobbled, but he held her shoulders until she was steadier.
A set medic was already moving toward them, bag in hand.
