A Billionaire's Redemption(45)

Don’t panic,” McGrath ground out in his ear. “She’s alive. If he hasn’t already shot her, the bastard’s planning to play with her for a while.”

Gabe cursed violently under his breath. “Don’t expect me to stand here and let her be tortured while I listen on. Ain’t happening, buddy.”

McGrath stared at him grimly, then whispered in resignation, “Fine. I’ll check out the building on the right. You take a look in through the windows at the left one. If you see Willa or her captor, don’t go in. Come get me. Got it?”

Gabe nodded impatiently as Willa cried out again. McGrath took off in a low, crouching jog, and he did the same. The weight of the shotgun in his hands felt impatient. Demanded justice. He seriously wanted to shoot the bastard who was making Willa cry out like that.

He plastered himself against the side of the building next to one of the dusty windows. Cautiously, he eased forward toward the lower corner of the window until he could peek inside the structure. His blood ran cold. Willa was tied to a chair, and a tall silhouette stood directly behind her, a weapon held to the side of her head.

A sinister voice floated out to him immediately. “There you are, Gabe Dawson. I knew you’d come for your little whore. Why don’t you join us?”

Crap, crap, crap. McGrath was nowhere in sight. He yelled out loudly and prayed the security man heard him, “Okay. I’m coming in.”

He ran around to the door in the front of the building. It was sandwiched between two large garage-style doors. It squeaked as he opened it. No chance of sneaking up on the bastard, then.

He paused inside the dim interior while his eyes adjusted to the shadows.

Gabe?” Willa asked wonderingly. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you going to marry Melinda?”

What?” he asked incredulously. “I love you. I’d never marry her!”

But I heard her accept your proposal—”

Shut up.” The man behind Willa struck her in the temple with the weapon in his hand. Her head snapped sideways and she groaned, sagging in her ropes.

Gabe lurched forward involuntarily.

Now, now. Gabey-poo. Come any closer and I’ll shoot her. And then I’ll just have to play with you, instead.”

He thought he recognized that voice. “James? James Ward?”

Come closer. Slowly. Drop the shotgun. Hands on top of your head.”

Gabe did as ordered. He was alarmed to see a trickle of blood running down the side of Willa’s face. Her eyes were closed and she looked out cold. And Ward, he looked possessed. Crazy didn’t begin to cover the madness in his eyes. It distorted his whole face. It was as if the man had been consumed by a monster. He looked straight out of a bad horror movie. Except that was real blood and a real gun and Willa tied to that chair.

He walked forward, his eyes glued to Willa’s captor. As much as he’d like to check Willa for breathing or movement, he dared not look away from Ward. At least the gun had turned away from her and was now pointed at him.

So glad you came, Dawson. Now I can really make the bitch suffer. I’m so damned sick of listening to her talk to you like you’re here. Going on about how she loves you and is so grateful you showed her a glimpse of love and made her life complete before she died. Makes a guy want to puke.”

Gabe stared, stunned. Willa loved him? He made her life complete? He jerked his attention back to Ward. How to draw the guy away from Willa? McGrath had to be outside by now, assault rifle trained on Ward. Why hadn’t he taken the shot? The only reasonable explanation was that his shot was blocked by Willa.

That’s close enough. Stop,” Ward snapped.

Gabe did as ordered, his mind racing. He had to distract Ward. Get him to move far enough away from Willa to give McGrath a clear shot.

Can’t you ever pick on someone your own size, Jimmy? You always did have a thing for picking on the kids littler than you.”

Ward made a growling sound. His free hand drifted to the side of his head, pressing against it as if he had a headache. Gabe used his distraction to move a step to his right. He had to get Ward to shift position.

Ward cried like he was in pain, and Gabe slid another foot to his right. “Stop that, dammit!” Ward shouted. He turned a bit to his left to train his gun on Gabe. There. The shot was clear. Why wasn’t McGrath taking it, dammit?

Ward devolved into incoherent shouting that sounded like a combination of random words and animalistic sounds. Holy crap, the guy was completely unhinged!

Where was McGrath? Had something happened to him? Did Ward have an accomplice? Panic shot through Gabe. Were he and Willa on their own with this madman?

As the seconds ticked past, and Ward’s tirade wound down without a shot coming from McGrath, sick realization came over Gabe. He had no backup. Willa’s life depended entirely on him. And he was too far away to jump Ward, and armed only with his wits.

Tell you what, Jimmy. If you’ll cut Willa loose, I’ll let you tie me up and do whatever you want to me.” His gaze strayed involuntarily to the array of knives, pliers, jumper cables and other implements of torture laid out on the floor behind Willa.

How about I keep her tied up, tie you up, too, and torture you both? It’ll be so romantic. You can see each other suffer in the name of love.” He used his free hand to rub his crotch.

Gabe was sickened by the depravity that had taken over James Ward.

Go over there. Get that chair. Set it down in front of the bitch princess. Oh, yes. This is going to be fun.” When Gabe didn’t move immediately, the pistol swung back toward Willa, this time pointed at the top of her left thigh.

Reluctantly, Gabe did as he was told and fetched the chair. It was old and made of solid wood. Heavy. Wouldn’t make for a bad weapon if he could get within range to swing it at Ward. But with that gun pointed at Willa, that wasn’t a possibility. As he approached within a dozen feet of Willa and James, Ward slid back behind her, using her as a shield.

Gabe was shocked when Willa’s right eye cracked open slowly. She looked up at him, and then she winked at him! She was awake? Exultation shot through him at just knowing she was conscious and with him. He saw her feet shift slightly within her bonds, both tennis shoes planted firmly on the floor.

That’s close enough,” Ward warned. “Put the chair down. Hands behind your back—”

Willa and her chair flew backward without warning, slamming into Ward. The guy staggered backward and Gabe lunged forward. The pistol came up and he threw the chair up in front of himself. A gunshot exploded and the chair was all but torn out of his hands as a bullet slammed into it.

Gabe used the momentum to throw the chair at Ward, following it with his body as he laid a flying tackle on the madman. The pistol slammed incredibly painfully into his shoulder as he grappled with Ward. Gabe got an elbow between them and threw it with all his strength into the guy’s face. Elbow bone connected with nose bone with a crunching noise.

Something large rolled toward them. Willa, still tied to the broken remains of the chair. No! She had to get away!

Ward was unbelievably strong, and Gabe hung on to the guy’s gun-carrying wrist with all his strength. But inch by inch, the muzzle of the weapon was being forced down toward him. Another few inches and Ward would be able to blow his face off.

Get up, Willa! Run!” Gabe shouted.

But she rolled again, carrying her even closer to him and Ward. One of her feet came free of the tangle of wood and rope, and kicked out. Ward swore viciously. She must have connected with some part of him. Another kick and the gun wavered, moving away from Gabe’s face.

Up close, Ward’s eyes were one of the scariest things Gabe had ever seen. No sign of a human being remained within them. He grunted as he grappled with the monster, “Get out of here, Willa! Go, dammit! Save yourself!”

Several more kicks in rapid succession were her only answer. Her attack distracted Ward enough that Gabe was able to get the upper hand on the gun wrist again and force it back up over Ward’s head, blessedly pointing well away from Willa.

His arms were starting to tire, however, and Ward was showing no signs of weakening in his insanity.

Both of Ward’s arms were stretched high over his head now. In desperation, Gabe dropped one hand away from Ward’s wrist and smashed his fist into Ward’s broken nose as hard as he could. The guy screamed and dropped the gun, grabbing at his face.

Gabe scrambled off him and leaped for the gun. He snatched it up while Ward screamed curses, but he wasn’t fast enough. Ward rolled to his knees and got an arm around Willa’s throat by the time Gabe turned, brandishing the pistol. Ward laughed, a hyena-like bray that made his blood run cold.

Take the shot,” Willa begged. “I trust you.”

Are you sure?” Gabe asked her gently.

I’m sure. I love you.”

Gabe took careful aim and squeezed the trigger.





Chapter 20

Willa felt James tense as Gabe aimed the      pistol. Ward was going to throw her in front of the shot. But she was okay with      that. Once she was dead, Gabe would kill this monster. Gabe would be safe, and      her students would be safe. Funny how, when she loved a person, she was willing      to sacrifice herself for them, no questions asked. No one had ever told her that      was part of love. Live and learn.