Page 62 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Eighteen

“What the hell happened? His home had been torn apart, and shattered glass scattered across the floor. Lars found Seth inside the kitchen, blood sprayed onto the wall. “Are you okay?”

“No worries, dude.” Seth gave him a broad smile and held out his arms. He held a cast iron pan in one hand and a knife in the other. “I’m the kitchen ninja.”

“Yeah, okay.” Lars shook his head, relieved Seth wasn’t hurt. He was one of the few people who had the code to his house. Lars knew that although his friend joked, he could have been killed. “Is there anyone else in here?”

“I don’t think so. I was just stopping by to see if you wanted to go to the beach. Sasha girl…she was barking up a storm. Thought I’d let her out before I went, so I took her out back. You know how I do. While she was doin’ her business, I got caught up checkin’ my email. Next thing I know she’s growlin’, and I knew there was no way in hell she’d be actin’ up like that for you. Then I hear someone in the house, and this guy, dressed all ‘men-in-black’, comes out of your office. He came right at me with his gun. I was going to use the knife but you’ve got those nice expensive pans hanging right there. I’m fast, bro. Smacked him hard.” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “Yeah, pretty sure I broke his nose. I heard that sweet li’l pop. Anyway, he ran out the back door. I heard you pull up and I was just coming out.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“Yeah, sorry about the mess. Hey, uh, where’s Braelynn?”

“Fuck!” Lars cursed, realizing she was alone in the car. He didn’t have time to get his Glock but he’d send Seth. “Go grab my gun. Second desk drawer. It’s unlocked.”

As he tore through the living room and thrust through the front door, Braelynn released a piercing scream. Rage surged through Lars at the sight of the intruder hovering over her. He gripped her attacker by the collar, and shoved him onto the ground. The stranger stumbled upward and lunged for Lars, but he’d already swung his fist, landing it square across the man’s jaw. Blood sprayed into the air, and Lars hit him again and again, pummeling his face.

“Lars,” Seth yelled. “Yo! Stop! Lars! You’re gonna kill him.”

“Fucking right I am,” he huffed, throwing him onto the driveway. The crumpled body went still, and Lars rushed to Braelynn.

“Jesus Christ, man. You beat the shit out of this guy.” Seth poked him with his foot and bent to check his pulse. “Still alive.”

“Brae. Sweetheart. Come on now.” He scooped her body into his arms and his stomach dropped as soon as he felt the lump on her head. Gently turning her head to face him, he observed the handprint across her cheek. A trickle of blood spilled onto her chin. “Goddammit.”

“Is she okay?” Seth asked, rummaging through the intruder’s pockets.

“Brae, come on, baby. Say something,” Lars urged.

Braelynn stirred. She gave a moan and brought a hand to the back of her head. “What the fuck?”

“You’re going to be okay,” he told her with a kiss to her forehead. His attention quickly shifted to Seth, who stood over the body. “You find anything?”

“Not a damn thing. No wallet. No ID. Nothing. Who the hell are these guys?”

“We’ve got to get her outta here.” He needed to get them to a secure location as soon as possible. “I have no right to ask you…”

“Dude, you don’t have to ask. I’ll help you.” Seth stood, brushing his palms on his thighs.

“Come with us. I’ll tell you everything in the car.”

“Where are we goin?” Seth gave him a smile, knowing that when Lars asked to go on a trip it could be anywhere on the damned planet.

“The cabin,” Lars responded.

“Big Sur?”

“Yeah, we can hold up there for a few days.” Lars stood, cradling Braelynn to his chest. He was a fucking idiot for leaving her alone. He should have known better.

“Let me just grab my backpack.” Seth ran over to his ragtop Jeep and snatched his satchel off the front seat. “You need anything else out of the house?”

“I just need to grab some ice.” He glanced to Braelynn’s reddened face, then focused on the car, surveying the damage from the gunshots. Only a few nicks on its exterior were visible, and he reasoned it wouldn’t draw the attention of others. “We’ve gotta go now. Whoever sent these guys is going to come looking for them. You have the gun?”

“Got it.” Seth lifted his shirt, displaying it tucked into his waistband, and looked to the beaten man on the ground. “Hey, maybe we should call Dean. Let him deal with this.”

“I’m going to call him all right, but first we’re getting the hell out of here. I want to see exactly what’s in this shit Braelynn lifted from her former employer. I’ll drive.” Lars approached Seth and shook his head. He wanted the truth and he wanted it now. Guilt for leaving Braelynn ran deep but her secrets brought danger to their feet at every turn. He looked down to her tearstained face, her tiny hand clutching his t-shirt. Letting go of her in any sense was going to rip his heart out, but she was trouble. The kind of trouble that would get him killed. “Can you take her for a minute?”

“Of course.” Seth rushed over, reaching his arms underneath Lars’.