Page 78 of Taking What Was His

“We’ve got you covered,” Dylan said.

Roman watched them get to cover before he walked to the back door and inhaled. He had to do this just right, or he and Beth could both get killed. He pulled his Glock from the holster and opened the back door. He hadn’t used the door enough to know if it made a sound, so he went extra slowly.

He stopped at the top of the steps and listened. It sounded like Evan was getting more and more agitated, and he guessed he was definitely high on something, which made the whole situation even more dangerous. That changed how he needed to handle this.

He texted Conner to go to the front door, knock, and make up something to get her to the door. With any luck, he’d let Beth come up and answer and he’d follow, letting Roman get in behind him.

God, he wanted to race down and shoot the bastard, but he was afraid he’d get Beth hurt.

He made his way through the dining room into the living room. He cringed when one of the floorboards squeaked. He hoped they hadn’t heard since Evan was still yelling.

Roman opened the closet by the front door and moved things around until he could be hidden as much as a large man like him could but leave the closet partially open. He made sure it didn’t make any sounds to alert Evan when he opened it and then closed it just enough to see them coming.

He had just settled when the front door rang.

The yelling stopped abruptly. The doorbell rang again. He heard Evan cursing and scrambling up the basement steps with Beth.

His stomach twisted at the fear-filled breaths coming from Beth. He wanted to kill him just for that. He held perfectly still and held his breath as they went to the front door.

“Listen, answer it, but don’t fucking move from that spot, or I’ll kill you both. Got it.”

“Yes,” she stuttered.

“Don’t fuck this up.”

Roman heard the front door open and knew Evan was standing behind it, able to see Beth, with his back to Roman.

“Can I help you?” Beth asked in a shaky voice.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m with the police association, and we’re raising funds for families of policemen and women who have died in the line of duty. I know you’ve contributed in the past. Can we ask for a donation?”

“Yes, I always support that cause. I have to get my purse...”

Roman didn’t wait another second. He raised his gun and smashed the butt of it down on the back of Evan’s head, knocking him out instantly.

Evan collapsed, and Beth screamed. Roman kicked the gun from Evan, slid his own into the holster, and moved around him to get to Beth.

“Oh, my God,” she cried out and fell into his arms. “How did you get in here?”

“I’ll tell you all of it later. I want to make sure you’re okay.” He cupped her chin and raised her face. Anger raced through him at the bruise that had already started to darken on her face.

He swiped her tears with his thumbs and pulled her tightly into his arms.

She broke down and cried against his chest, gripping his shirt with both fists.

“Shh, it’s going to be okay,” he crooned against the top of her head.

“I’ve got so much to tell you.”

Roman kissed the top of her head. “Later. I want to get you out to the car while we settle this.”

She nodded and let him lead her out.

He maneuvered them down the driveway and to his car parked a few doors down when someone shouted, and a gun went off, startling them both and making Roman cover her with as much of his body as he could. He shoved her into the car. “Lock the doors and stay down.”

He pulled his gun and ran toward the back where the shot came from and looked around the corner. Conner and Dylan were already there and standing over Evan, who lay on the ground in handcuffs, cursing.

Roman put his gun away as he walked up. “What happened?”