“I see you,” Carl yelled.
Duke stopped. He swore the bastard could hear his heart beating as it pounded against his chest.
“No use in hiding,” Carl said. “Put your hands up and walk out nice and slow or your sister dies.”
Lane appeared with his hands in the air.
Shit. At least Duke’s presence was still unknown.
“Let her go,” Lane said. “You’re as good as caught. The sheriff’s department is on the way. We have your name, your license plate, and your accomplice. There’s no way for you to get out of this. If you let Suzy go, things will be a lot easier on you.”
Carl chuckled. “You think I went through all of this just to walk away with things left unfinished? You’re dumber than I thought.”
Lane’s hands balled into fists. “You have no problem with her or me. Let us walk away then you get the hell out of here.”
Duke tiptoed down the slope. He kept his weapon up, ready to fire. At twenty-five yards, he had a clear shot, but the gun still pointed at Suzy’s head kept him from taking it.
Lane shifted his attention toward Duke for a fraction of a second then took a step forward. “I won’t let you kill my sister.”
“You don’t have a choice. Just like I didn’t have a choice when your asshole friend stole my entire future. It’s only fair that I take his.”
Lane took another step, and Carl swung the gun in his direction.
That’s all Duke needed. He squeezed the trigger.
Carl screamed and his body jolted forward. Blood soaked the back of his shirt, and he fell to the ground, his weapon still in his hand.
Lane dove for Carl, wrestling for the gun.
Duke sprinted for Suzy. He dropped to his knees and shielded her shaking body with his. “I’ve got you, baby. You’re okay. You’re safe now.”
Another gunshot blasted his nerves. Keeping Suzy safe behind him, he shifted to take another shot, but Carl lay on the ground with Lane above him. Blood dotted Lane’s knuckles.
“Oh God,” Suzy yelled, burying her face in Duke’s neck. “Is it Lane? Who was shot?”
Duke searched for a wound on Lane’s body. “Are you hit? What the hell happened?”
“His gun went off, but nothing hit me,” Lane said, his face ashy and white. “I punched the shit out him. Looks like I knocked him unconscious, but I’ll keep an eye on him until Spencer gets here.”
Hurried footsteps caught Duke’s attention. He jumped to his feet, bringing Suzy with him and keeping her pressed to his body.
Deputy Ramirez emerged from between a cluster of trees. He glanced down at Carl then blew out a long breath. “Spencer and I were on our way to provide back-up and he was shot. He’ll be okay, but he’s pissed and hurting pretty bad.”
Lane scrubbed a hand down his face. “He must have taken that stray bullet. I’ll wait with him until help comes. Duke, you take Suzy back to the hospital. Make sure she’s okay.”
The trust and acceptance of that statement brought unshed tears to his eyes, but he held them back. He framed his hands along Suzy’s jawline, wincing at the dirt and scratches marring her beautiful face. “Did he touch you?”
She shook her head, letting her own tears stream freely over her cheeks. “No. You came just in time. I was so scared.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, savoring the feel of every inch of her pressed against him. He kissed the top of her head. “So was I. I didn’t know where you were or if I’d get to you on time. I’m so sorry, baby. So sorry I let him get his hands on you.”
She glanced up at him and brushed her knuckles against his jawline. “You didn’t put me in danger. You saved me. I don’t know what would have happened if…” A sob choked off the rest of her words.
“Shh,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to think about the what-ifs. I’ve got you now and I’m never letting you go.”
She grinned. “Never?”
“As long as you let me hold you, you’ll always find a place in my arms.”
