All rational thought evaporates. That scrap on the floor in front of me is skin. Jett’s nautical star tattooed on his left arm, Javier sliced it off. In a moment of unbridled rage, I go after him.
He lifts his gun without hesitation and shoots me in the shoulder; pain rings through my whole body as I grab my arm and fall to my knees. Son of a bitch.
Javier stands over me and presses the barrel of the gun to my forehead.
“What’s yours is now mine, amigo.”
He presses harder and I steady myself with my heartbeat echoing in my ears and my blood whooshing through my veins like white water rapids. I glance at Ellie fighting for her life and fearing for mine. Then I look at the clock on the wall and erupt in a fit of laughter.
Javier looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.
Eleven thirty-seven.
“Jett’s death won’t be in vain.” I glare at him manically.“BANG.”
Moments later, a dozen men dressed in black and armed for war flood the room. They break through the bay windows and kick down the door. When shots ring out, I hurl myself at Ellie, shielding her with my body. I yank on the chain, pulling the sconce right out of the wall. The gunfire lasts only a few seconds, but I’m sure it feels like years to her.
When the commotion ceases, I lift my head with Ellie trembling uncontrollably in my arms.
“It’s okay. It’s over now.” I smooth her hair and kiss her head repeatedly while she latches onto me like it’s the end of the world.
I’m sure for her it is.
I glance around. Javier, El Rey, and all their thugs lay dead on the floor. The room is destroyed, bullet holes in all my books, the walls, and my desk. The cherry wood looks like it’s been chewed on by wild animals.
“Can you stand?” I ask Ellie delicately.
She looks up at me, drained of life.
I lift her to her feet and secure her in my arms. I’m never letting go. “It’s okay. It’s over. It’s all over.”
“Agent Rivers.”
I stand at attention at the call of my name. “Commander.”
Ellie looks at me funny.Yeah, kitten, we have a lot to talk about.
“You alright?”
I nod. “Affirmative, sir.”
“Nice work.” He puts his hand out. Commander Adams is the A-typical Army commando. Short buzz cut, thick mustache, and no nonsense. He’s one of the best people I know. Next to Jett.
My heart sinks. I hug Ellie tighter with the arm I still have around her. She’s the only thing grounding me at the moment. The only thing holding me together. I try not to think of Jett and the terrible end he faced. Images upon horrific images infiltrate my mind.
“Thank you, sir.” My response is strained.
“Debrief at 0800. The house will be wiped.”
“Sir,” I answer mechanically.
Ellie watches our exchange. I know she thinks she’s in the twilight zone.
One of the Special Forces soldiers wraps her in a blanket as I converse with Commander Adams. Then he tries to remove her collar. I want to growl, but I don’t.Mine.When he finds he can’t because of the padlock, he disappears. Good riddance.
“Get that wound taken care of, Rivers. See you in the AM.”
I nod compliantly.
