Search Me(69)

“Ready for the big finish?” Jensen asked into my ear. He then momentarily eased up on my chokehold to fire a round at Montrose.

When it pierced his chest, I screamed, sending Jensen’s arm back around my neck. The world shuddered to a stop as Montrose collapsed onto the grass. I barely had time to process what happened when more agents came tromping through the woods, through the screen of smoke and burning grass. Thankfully, their rifles were trained on Jensen.

Gunfire rang out behind me. All I could think of was Dad and Maddox…had they been shot in the crossfire…were they hurt or…dead? Jensen started to drag me towards one side of the clearing. I knew I had to get to Maddox and Dad, but most importantly, I had to get away from Jensen. A thought flashed before me of how easily I’d incapacitated Maddox earlier with my absentminded groin kick.

My mind whirled with the logistics. I couldn’t get free from Jensen enough to kick him, and there was no way I could elbow him either—I’d only get him in the gut. I would need to hit him pretty hard to take him out, and I didn’t know if I had the physical strength to do that. Then I had a light bulb moment.

A purse, heavy laden with gold, hung at my side. Slowly, I reached over and grasped it in my hand. I drew in a deep breath. This was it. Now or never time. Channeling my rage and despair, I brought the purse forward and then rammed it back into Jensen, directly in the balls.

His arm fell from my neck, and I gulped in air. Huffing and puffing, he started to hunch over. I seized the moment and whirled around, kicking him again for good measure. His gun dropped to the ground before he sank to his knees.

Scuffling and cursing echoed from the barn as the agents subdued Jensen’s men. My gaze searched the throng for Dad and Maddox. The sight of them, crouching down next to the sofa, restarted my heart, and I exhaled in relief. A groan came from behind me.

I whirled around to see Jensen struggling on the grass. I’d totally forgotten the carnal rule of never turning your back on the bad guy. His lips curled into sneer. “You bitch! I’ll kill you if it’s the last thing I do.”

Since I had depleted all my adrenaline with my attack on Jensen’s crotch, I did the girliest thing I could think of. “HELP!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. Just as Jensen got to his feet, the knights in shining armor came charging into the clearing.

Until they could get closer, I started a strange tango of wits with Jensen—I took a step to the side, and he mirrored it. If I moved backward, he moved forward. Anytime I tried the give the agents a clear shot, Jensen would block it.

“Freeze Jensen. Do not move. We will shoot you!” an agent shouted.

He gave me a maniacal grin. “Just try and get one off without taking her down instead,” he called over his shoulder.

“Move in Alpha Team for takedown!” an agent called.

“Agent down! Agent down!” came another voice.

Then a long groan came from the clearing. “I’m clear. Got it in the vest,” Agent Montrose said.

Jensen lunged at me, and I dodged out of his way. As he went careening into the barn wall, I scrambled in the dirt for his pistol.

With a shaking hand, I aimed the gun at Jensen. He eyed it and then smirked at me. “Oh, you really think you’re going to shoot me?”

“No, but they will.” I jerked my head over my shoulder at the agents. “All I have to do is step out of their way, and you’re in their line of fire.” Keeping the pistol trained on Jensen, I slowly backed away from him. “All right, he’s all yours.”

Agents sprinted forward, knocking me out of the way. I spun around, trying not to get trampled. They had Jensen spread-eagled on the ground and in handcuffs by the time I regained my balance. I heaved a sigh of relief and then leaned back against the barn. Dizziness overcame me, and my shaking knees threatened to not hold me up.

“Lane?” Maddox called from the doorway. His hands were untied, and his expression was one of pure panic while he frantically scanned the crowd.

“I’m here,” I said meekly.

He rushed over and pulled me into his arms. “You scared the shit out of me! I couldn’t see you and with that gunshot...”

I opened my mouth to protest, but his lips crushed against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him tighter to me. He released my mouth and started feathering soft kisses on my cheek—the one that Jensen had slapped earlier. “I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you. I love you, baby.”

Tears stung my eyes. “I love you so much too.”

Someone cleared his throat behind us. Maddox jerked away from me, and I flushed at the sight of Dad standing behind us with his arms crossed over his chest. He cocked his head at us. “Would one of you like to explain what’s going on here?”

“Yes sir,” Maddox replied, sounding like he was addressing a drill sergeant rather than Dad. “I love your daughter, and I’d like your permission to date her.”

Dad grinned. “You have to learn something about timing, son. It’s overwhelming enough coming off a hostage situation. Don’t add to my stress level by asking to date Lane.”

Maddox’s brow furrowed. “Does that mean no?”

With a chuckle, Dad patted Maddox’s back. “It’s more of a ‘let me catch my breath before you pull the rug out from under me’ type answer.”