“Then we move now.” Colin held his weapon in hand and waited for Nick to come alongside him.
The cat was on the move again. Slinky. Low. Stalking. Brooklyn or Tarver his prey. Brooklyn started crying, but she seemed to be working hard to keep it under control.
“Stop sniveling,” Tarver said. “You’re making me mad.”
“That guy’s a real piece of work.” Colin continued to inch forward.
Luka stood, watching. Dispassionate. Rocco leaned against a trailer as if he couldn’t even be bothered to care. The cat looked past Brooklyn and Tarver, eyeing Colin and Nick. Sumo stopped. Watched.Good.As long as Rocco and Luka didn’t realize who the cat was looking at, they were golden.
Nick signaled that he was splitting off to go for the big goon. Colin nodded and moved to the right to slide up on Luka from behind. He glanced back at Nick. Saw him bring Rocco to his knees with a gun at his temple.
Colin marched ahead. Reached Luka. Shoved his gun in the creep’s back. “Don’t move.”
He jerked but remained still.
Brooklyn pivoted. “Colin, is that you? Really you?”
“Yes. Just stay low until I can help.” Colin assessed the situation. The jaguar was too close to the gate to open it. The animal’s speed would allow him to be through the gate and free to roam the countryside and kill people or other animals. Colin couldn’t let that happen. “I’ll tranquilize the cat and get you out.”
Luka hugged the case to his chest. “Good luck with that.”
Colin saw the cat start to move again. His heart could barely beat. He had to act. Now. He shoved the gun barrel into Luka. “You’re risking a bullet in the back.”
“Hah, you’re one of the good guys,” Luka said. “The calvary. They never shoot an unarmed man in the back.”
Maybe not, but I’m not above disabling you.Colin kneed the back of Luka’s knees, bringing him to the ground. He shoved him down and hoped the guy would reach out to protect himself and the case would come free.
No such luck. He took a tumble and rolled to his stomach, burying the case under his large body.
Luka gave Colin no choice. He holstered his weapon and dropped down on the man. He flipped him and tugged to take the tranquilizer gun away. Luka held fast. His strength beyond what Colin expected.
“Colin, hurry,” Brooklyn cried out. “Sumo is so close.”
As if hearing his name, the jaguar roared.
“Stop!” Tarver’s voice was high and terrified now.
Colin dug deep. Coldcocked Luka. His arms fell to the ground. Colin grabbed the case and rolled free to get an eye on the big cat. He was nearing the pair. About five feet away. Colin ripped the zipper open. Pulled out the gun. Loaded it. Aimed. Fired. Hit the cat.
He raised up on his back legs and ran across the enclosure, then curled back to try to get the dart out of his flank. Angry now. Still moving. Not sleeping from the drug, he eyed them again.
“Does he need a second dart?” Colin called out as he reached into the case for another one.
“One is enough,” Tarver shouted, cowering low to the ground. “A second one will kill him. It takes time. Could be up to five minutes.”
Then Colin would have to risk opening the door while the cat was on the other side of the yard. He started for the enclosure. Luka grabbed his ankle, dragging him back. Colin had to toss down the case to get free.
They scuffled. Tumbling over each other.
Luka clamped his hands around Colin’s neck. He tried to pry them off, but Luka suddenly had the strength of ten men.
Dev fired a warning shot next to Luka’s body.
Luka snapped back, his panicked gaze seeking the source of the bullet.
Colin dragged in air and rolled free.
He staggered to his feet.
