Page 49 of Armed ’N’ Ready

“I know.” So was I. Scared shitless that she’d been shot.

For several gut-wrenching moments, he’d seen his past repeating. He’d seen Tanya, a small hole on one side of her head, the other side blown out, her brains splattered across the pristine white lace duvet.

Gulping in an unsteady breath, he pulled a pocketknife from his pants pocket and cut off the tape binding her wrists. “You’re safe now.” She stared at him, unmoving. In the dim light, her eyes were wide and glassy with shock. “Hey,” he said softly. “Come back to me.”

He stroked her cheek, her hair, then kissed her forehead, her lips, anything to bring her back.

Her fingers closed around his bicep. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” That was an understatement. But this wasn’t the time to analyze the life-altering relief he’d experienced at realizing she was alive and unhurt. He held up the tape he’d removed from her hands. “Do you have any tape like this in your house?”

She nodded. “I-I think so.”

Sensing she was still a little out of it, he helped her to stand. “Can you find some and bring it to me? I need to tie these guys up.” He knew she was still in shock from what had happened, but he couldn’t risk the men escaping while he went into the house.

“Okay.” She turned and went inside, although her movements were a bit wobbly.

Moving swiftly, he patted both men down for more weapons. Between the two of them, he found another .9mm and two switchblades. He also dug cell phones from their rear pockets.

While he waited for Andi to find tape, he set the weapons and phones on the front step next to the door, then pulled out his own phone. The first call he made was to his barracks, then he called Cox, Eric, and Matt. Despite him urging them not to, Eric and Matt insisted on rallying the rest of Nick’s friends. Soon, the place would be crawling with police and feds.

The front lights flicked on, as did the lamppost near the curb. The screen door slammed as Andi came back outside, holding a roll of gray duct tape. He took it from her and made quick work of taping the men’s hands behind their backs. They were both starting to regain consciousness, so he taped their ankles together, allowing only enough slack that they’d be able to shuffle to the patrol cars when they arrived.

Andi hadn’t uttered a word since retrieving the tape. She stood on the front stoop, arms wrapped around herself, her hands tightly clasping her shoulders. When she lifted her gaze to his, he glimpsed the same shock and fear he’d seen in hundreds of victims’ eyes. It was nearly enough to snap what little remained of his control.

Because he wanted to kill the men who’d touched her.

He climbed the few steps to where she stood. When he tugged her into his arms, she came willingly. Her body was soft, her breath warm against his chest.

Sirens wailed in the distance. An unexpected truth hit him like a brick. Andi was the only woman since Tanya who’d managed to get under his skin.

No murkiness about it now.

He’d still do everything in his power to nail the gun dealer, but his priorities had just shifted like tectonic plates in an earthquake. Now there was something far more important in his life—protecting the woman in his arms.

…

Red and blue lights flickered on the other side of the lake. Andi pressed her face to Nick’s chest, burrowing closer. She breathed in his scent—his usual citrus, this time with a bit of freshly cut grass thrown in.

When she sighed, he kissed the top of her head. What she really wanted was for him to tip her chin up and kiss her deeply. Even with her face snugged against his chest, she could hear the emergency vehicles drawing nearer. She didn’t want to leave his protective embrace, didn’t want to think about what had just happened, or why. Those men tried to kidnap her. If it hadn’t been for Nick and Saxon, she could be dead by now. Or worse.

What did they want?

The bastards had stuck a gun in her face and dragged her outside, but if they’d wanted to rob or rape her, they didn’t have to kidnap her. They’d even hurt poor Stray. Luckily, her dog seemed to be okay. Andi had found Stray wandering around the house, frantically looking for her. Just the same, she’d bring her to the vet for x-rays as soon as the animal hospital opened.

Wait… Her dog?

Finding someone to adopt Stray had been the plan all along. That was why she’d never given her a proper name.

Keep telling yourself that.

She and Stray had bonded from the moment the beautiful golden-brown dog had wandered onto the DPC’s deck. Now Stray had been injured trying to save her. She might not be a trained K-9, but she was just as fierce and protective in her own way. After taking her to the vet, Andi would stop at the grocery store for Stray’s favorite food—ice cream.

Nick’s arms around her tightened, then he released her. It was on the tip of her tongue to object, when he repositioned his arm, tucking her to his side. To increase the contact, she wrapped one of her arms around his waist, leaning into the warmth and security of his body.

Saxon stood proud and tall, tail erect as he guarded the two incapacitated men. Like Nick, the dog was all cop, and they’d both saved her life. She’d have to pick up some Pop-Tarts then sneak them to Saxon when Nick wasn’t looking.

What seemed like ten police vehicles sped closer. The first two that pulled to a stop in front of the house were state police sedans, followed by local police cars, a few unmarked units, and several K-9 SUVs.