Suddenly, a rifle shot blasted through the air. The bullet pinged off the door.
Wallace jumped behind Whitney, bringing her in front of him as a shield. He pointed his gun in the direction from where the gunshot had come.
Two men hurried toward her. When she saw Zack’s worried face, she wanted to sigh with relief. And yet, she feared the worst. Joe ran next to Zack. Each man held a rifle pointed toward her and Wallace.
“Drop your gun,” Zack yelled.
“Stop right there.” Wallace shot at Zack.
She held her breath. Thankfully, the bullet hit the ground. But Zack and Joe did as Wallace commanded, and they stopped.
“Drop the rifles,” Wallace shouted.
Zack shook his head. “Release Whitney first.”
“Never!”
As Wallace wrapped his right arm around her neck, her self-defense classes kicked in. She lowered her chin, keeping his arm from touching her neck.
“Wall,” Joe said, “we can work this out. Just let her go.”
“No, Joe. Whitney is mine and I’ll never let Mr. Rich-pants get her.”
“How much money do you want?” Zack asked. “I’m rich. I’m a billionaire. I’ll give you as much money as you want, just let her go.”
Her heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t believe Zack was willing to give up all he had just for her.
“I don’t want money,” Wallace snapped. “I just want her.”
He tightened his arm around her neck, but thankfully, with her chin down, he wouldn’t be able to choke her. She brought up her hands near her face, holding onto his forearm as she slowly stepped to the right.
Zack’s face turned red. “You’re not getting her!”
“And you won’t either!” Wallace grumbled and pointed the gun at Whitney’s head.
She sucked in a quick breath and her heartbeat stilled. She needed to act fast before he got trigger happy.
Using her left arm, she swung it fast, aiming it between his legs. The moment it met with hisfamily jewels, he groaned loudly. As his body bent in protection mode, she brought up her elbow, connecting it with his face. The sound of crunching bones ripped through the air. Satisfaction filled her, knowing she’d broken his nose.
Wallace crumbled to the ground. She swung toward him. The Glock had fallen from his hand. As he writhed in pain, he reached for the gun. She kicked it away from his hand.
Seconds later, both Zack and Joe ran up to her. Zack gathered her in his strong arms, and Joe retrieved the gun from the ground.
Finally, she breathed a relieved sigh and pressed her face against Zack’s chest. Her agent’s skills had won the day.
“Are you all right?” he whispered before kissing her head.
“I’m fine now that you’re here.” She glanced at Joe. “Has anyone called the police?”
“Yes, dear.” Joe glanced at her before returning his focus to the man still rolling in pain on the ground with one hand holding his crotch, and the other hand holding his bleeding nose.
“When I realized Wallace was the shooter,” Zack told her, “we called the police as we hurried to find you.”
“I’m so glad you found me.” She smiled up at him. “He threated to shoot anyone who tried to help me.”
Zack’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. “I see you haven’t forgotten your FBI skills.”
“No, I haven’t.” She managed a smile even though her body still shook with tension. “Funny how it came to me just when I needed it.”
