by Robin Caroll
Hunter used a knife-edge hand strike that connected with the side of Jerry’s head.
Smack!
Hunter straddled Jerry, and slammed his fist into Jerry’s nose, then his mouth. He drew his arm again, and again until Hunter felt Jerry’s jawbone give.
“Stop, Hunter!”
He didn’t bother to glance over his shoulder at Katie. She didn’t understand. In unarmed combat, he regaled as a master in the field. He grabbed Jerry’s collar and lifted the man off the ground, shaking him.
Blood and saliva trickled down the corner of Jerry’s mouth.
Hunter let him fall, then stood. He did his best to wipe the mud off his hands as he turned and retrieved the gun from the ground, then approached Katie.
Christian released his sister when Hunter nodded.
She hobbled to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Hunter could feel her body shivering as he held her tightly against his chest. He smoothed down her hair and planted feathery kisses on her head. “Shh. It’s okay,” he whispered.
Lifting her head, her silvery eyes blinked as she stared at him. His heart broke, seeing the fresh tears streak down her cheeks. He pulled her closer, letting her absorb his strength. The smell of peppermint clung to her, drifting up and sending his senses in turmoil. He tightened his hold on her.
“I don’t think he’s lying, Hunter. I don’t believe he killed Walter or Carter.”
“He didn’t.”
Hunter spun, pulling Katie with him. Christian hovered behind them as they all glared at Paul, who held a gun straight out at them. He recognized Ariel’s service weapon. Instinctively, Hunter shoved Katie behind him. He took a few steps toward Paul. “How’d you get out of the handcuffs?”
Paul’s smile widened as he lifted a casual shoulder. “Practice makes perfect.” He chuckled, the low and menacing range sounding forced to Hunter.
Hunter moved forward, his hand inching for his firearm tucked in the back of his jeans, only to freeze when Paul wiggled the barrel of his gun.
“No, no, no, Mr. FBI Man. You stay right there. And toss your gun out here.” Paul made clucking sounds with his tongue, but his eyes appeared as sharp as an eagle’s. “You, Christian, step up beside Mister Big-Shot here.”
Christian moved to Hunter’s left, while Hunter pulled out his Beretta and tossed his sidearm onto the ground.
Jerry hauled himself off the ground, grabbed the guns, and stumbled toward Paul. “Thanks, man. I thought I was a goner for sure.”
Hunter’s mind raced with options, working to form a plan. He had to get Katie and Christian out of here—get them to safety. “Where’s Ariel?”
Paul chuckled again. “She’s incapacitated at the moment.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed. Christian took a step. Hunter grabbed his forearm and tugged him back in line.
Throwing back his head, Paul laughed. “Good move, Malone. Wouldn’t want to have to shoot the girl’s nice brother.” He bounced from foot to foot. “Especially since I haven’t decided which Gallagher I’ll take as my guide.”
Why hadn’t he taken Christian in the first place? Katie was injured, sure to be slower. But she’d be easier to subdue than a man. Hunter’s heart found the next gear. He clenched his jaw, forcing his mind to fall back into his training. “Where’s Ariel?”
“Katie, dear, step up there in line with the others, won’t you?” Paul glared at Hunter, snubbing him in his refusal to answer the question.
She shifted and stood between the two men. Her chin jutted out, her hands clasped in front of her body. “Where are Ariel and Orson?”
Paul smiled. “Nice try.” His eyes narrowed into slits as he gawked at her. “You know, I went out of my way to be nice to you, and you blew me off. That wasn’t very polite, now was it?”
Katie licked her lips. Hunter could feel her trembling beside him.
“No, not nice at all.” Paul took a step back, keeping the gun leveled at them. “So, here’s my dilemma—I have to take you, Mr. FBI Man, up to the top. You have company waiting.” His eyes darted between Katie and Christian. “But I don’t need two guides. See my problem?”
He pointed the gun at Christian. “Do I kill you and take her?” He moved the gun to point at Katie’s head. “Or do I kill you and take your brother?” He let out a long sigh. “Decisions, decisions.”
“Let’s get out of here, Paul.” Jerry’s face, streaked with mud and blood, turned pale. “The police might know by now. That Roy guy could’ve called in help.”
“Oh, yes, I forgot about you. I have new orders.” Paul jerked Hunter’s gun from Jerry’s shaking hands. “Throw down the other gun.”
Jerry did so with hesitation. “N-N-New orders? Since when?”
“Since the raft became indisposed.” Paul spoke to Jerry, but kept his gaze, as well as the gun, focused on Hunter. He tucked Ariel’s weapon in the waist of his pants, but held onto Hunter’s. He kicked Jerry’s firearm into the woods.
“What new orders?” Jerry shifted his weight, favoring the right side where Hunter had charged him.
“We’re to deliver Mr. Malone topside. Seems this entire operation was set up in order for Mr. King to meet Mr. Malone in person.” His gaze drifted up and down Hunter’s physique. “It appears they have an old score to settle.” A mischievous grin sat on Paul’s face. “As for the others, well, Ariel and Orson won’t be running to the rescue, I’ll tell you that.”
Hunter swallowed. Had Paul killed Ariel and the tax attorney? Acid ate at his stomach.
“Come on, man, let’s run,” Jerry said. “We still have the last load of laundered money and can be in Mexico before Mr. King figures it out.”
“To come across so tough, you always were a sniveling punk.” Paul sighed. “And now, you no longer serve a purpose.”
Jerry’s eyes widened. “Huh?”
Hunter moved to react just as Paul spun Hunter’s gun toward Jerry and fired, then flipped the gun back at Hunter, who halted.
The sound of the gunshot echoed across the mountain—Katie screamed—Christian sucked in air—Jerry dropped like a rock, both mouth and eyes open wide.
Katie moved forward and buried her head against Hunter’s shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her automatically, her sobs tearing into his heart.
Paul glanced at Jerry, then met Hunter’s stare. “I believe Jerry told you, Katie, that he was a good shot. I’m even better.”
Nausea rose in the back of Katie’s throat, the bile burning and searing. She gulped in air and buried her face deeper in Hunter’s sweater. As long as she lived, she’d never forget seeing Jerry shot before her eyes. “Is he dead?” she asked, her voice squeaking.
“Yeah, he’s dead.” Hunter’s tone sounded cold … distant.
She jerked her head to stare at him. His dark eyes glistened with indescribable emotions. Katie touched the side of his face. “Hunter?”
His jaw clenched, the muscles flickering in his cheek. He continued to stare at Paul, his glare so hot, she could feel the burn.
“Hunter, look at me.” Katie gripped his arm tighter. “Hunter.”
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at her. “Yes?”
“Let it go.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide. “What?”
“Let it go. It’s not for you to avenge.”
His eyes widened even more.
“How sweet,” Paul interrupted as he waved the gun, aiming it at Hunter’s head. “Now shut up!”
Katie swallowed and stiffened. Dear Lord, I know we’ve just now gotten back on speaking terms, but I could really use some help down here. She licked her lips, then cleared her throat. “Um, Paul…”
“Shut up! You had plenty of chances to talk to me. Wouldn’t even give me the time of day.” His face twisted into a grotesque display of anger. “I should probably just kill you and get it over with.” He raised the gun level to her chest.
Peace rested on her shoulders. She tossed her hair in flagrant defiance and rested her shakin
g hands on her hips. The feeling liberated her! “That’s fine with me, Paul. I’m okay with meeting God face-to-face.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice a fraction. “The big question is … are you?”
Deep, dark red crept up his neck and into his face, which contorted with expressions of outrage, disbelief, then anger. “H-H-How dare you? I’m the one with the gun.” His shook it as he kept it aimed in her direction.
“Because I know where I’m going after I die. Do you?” She tightened her hold on her hips, stiffening each individual finger.
“You’re about to find out.” Paul leveled the gun to where her heart thudded.
Hunter moved beside Katie, and whispered, “You’ve turned to God?”
Fresh tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She slowly nodded. “Yeah, I did.” A little smile tickled the corners of her mouth.
“This is all very moving, but get back in line!”
The muscles in Hunter’s arms corded as he clenched his fists. “Don’t point that gun at me.”
“I’ll shoot you where you stand.” Paul’s jaw muscles jumped.
“Thought you said your boss wanted me alive.” He leaned on his right leg. “Now what’d you do with Ariel and Orson?”
“What do you think I did with them?” Paul laughed for a moment before halting the eerie sound as quickly as he’d let it burst forth, then moved the handgun to put Katie in the crosshairs. “And if you don’t do as I say, I’ll shoot her.”
Wild, white fury blinded Hunter. Mechanically, he took a step forward, moving toward Paul, his hands balled into tight fists.
Boom!
It all happened in slow motion to Hunter’s eyes: the gunshot’s discharge echoed over the mountain, reverberating louder and longer than the shot that’d killed Jerry, smoke drifted out from the barrel of the gun, white spirals wandering upward, Katie screamed, sending tidal waves of fear coursing through Hunter’s body.
He spun around.
Christian and Katie were on the ground. Katie sobbed as she clutched her brother’s shoulders. Sticky, red blood saturated her hands.
Hunter dropped to his knees. His eyes frantically ran over Katie’s face and torso, searching for the point of entry.
Pulling her brother into her lap, Katie’s face lost all color. Christian groaned loudly.
Dropping his probing gaze to Christian’s face, wrapped in pain, Hunter inspected him. The top of Christian’s shirtsleeve dripped blood onto Katie’s lap. Leaning over, Hunter felt the wound. A clean, straight-through-the-flesh shot. Painful, but not life-threatening. At least, not at this point.
Katie’s stare scorched him. Hunter moved her hands to cover the wound, showing her how much pressure to keep applied to lessen the loss of blood. Her tear-heavy eyes blinked. Worry pulled into each feature on her face.
Heart hammering, Hunter gave her the most assuring smile he could muster. “I’m falling for you, Katie Gallagher,” he whispered.
“Come on, come on. Let’s get moving.” Paul said.
Hunter pushed to his feet and turned to glare at the gun-toting man. “That wasn’t necessary.” This wasn’t a time to expend pain, like he’d fought with Jerry. This was time to let his training work and take Paul down.
Paul shrugged, but kept the gun leveled at Hunter. “Not my fault he wanted to be a hero. He moved into the bullet.”
“The bullet meant to kill Katie!” Hunter charged Paul.
Paul pointed the gun and pulled the trigger. Hunter dodged to the right and bent over, rushing ahead in a forward-tackling move.
His body connected, then Paul slammed to the ground.
Hunter used his forearm to wedge between Paul’s chin and chest, pressing hard against his throat.
Paul grunted.
Using his other hand, Hunter rammed his fist into Paul’s side. Hard, and repeatedly.
Kicking at the ground, Paul scrambled to free himself.
Hunter pressed his forearm harder into Paul’s throat.
Paul made a sound like a smoker with emphysema.
Hunter brought his knee up and connected with Paul’s groin with all the force of his experience.
Eyes bulging, Paul gasped for air.
Hunter, drawing on his training in martial arts, removed his forearm, and in one fluid motion, put a hold on Paul’s neck, causing the man to lose consciousness.
Satisfied he’d rendered Paul incapacitated, Hunter pushed himself to his feet and rushed over to Katie and Christian. He knelt beside them, gently lifting Katie’s hand.
Christian moaned. “Ow, man. That stings.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Hunter pressed slightly on the surrounding tissue.
“Ouch!”
Hunter pulled his hand back. “It went straight through. We need to stop the bleeding.” He pulled his shirt over his head, then ripped one of the sleeves free. He laid the material over the gunshot wound, then stared into Christian’s eyes. “This is gonna hurt for a minute, buddy.”
Christian closed his eyes and nodded.
Hunter tied the shirt sleeve tight over the wound.
Through clamped lips, Christian uttered guttural shouts.
“There. That’ll slow down the bleeding.” Hunter rocked back on his heels, peering into Katie’s face. “Are you okay?”
Her lips quivered, but she nodded. The chill still hovered in the air, despite the sun peeking through the trees. She wanted to curl up and sleep, escape into the warmth of slumber’s embrace, but knew she couldn’t. Katie stiffened her back, disregarding the pain and exhaustion pulsating through her muscles.
“Okay, we’ve got to get a move on.” Hunter rose and stalked to Paul. He retrieved the guns, slipping them into the waistband of his jeans. He turned to Katie. “Can you hand me my shirt? I’ve got to tie up Paul.”
She tossed it to him. “Are we leaving him here?”
Hunter caught the shirt deftly and ripped it into strips. “We have to. We need to get Christian to the hospital, but we also need to find Ariel and Orson. In the event Paul lied, we have to stop them before they get to the top and walk into an ambush.”
She nodded.
Hunter worked on binding Paul’s hands and feet, then glanced over his shoulder. “Get Christian to his feet. We need to hurry.”
“And if Paul told the truth about hurting Ariel and Orson?” Her bottom lip quivered.
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter 24
Katie hobbled forward, refusing to acknowledge the blinding pain in her ankle and head. She had to help Hunter carry Christian, and find Ariel and Orson. Hunter depended on her. She’d let so many people down, she wouldn’t disappoint Hunter again. Not if she could help it.
She cut her gaze across her brother to study Hunter. He hadn’t mentioned his declaration of feelings again, yet the sentiment still swarmed around in her mind, soothing her battered heart. Did he see a future with her, or had he blurted out under duress? Katie prayed his emotions were genuine. For her heart had already decided it wanted Hunter. Totally and completely, the traitorous organ.
Christian moaned as she wavered in a step, jostling his shoulder.
Wincing, she grimaced. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” her brother ground out.
She steadied her grip around his waist and pressed on. But her mind raced. Paul could’ve killed Christian. Or Hunter.
Hunter led them back to the right where the others would hike. “If there’s a way up, Ariel will keep digging in. She’s a determined little thing.”
His words bit into her heart. Did he have feelings for his partner? Not just feeling responsible for her as a partner? He reached to help Christian over a rocky step, and she noticed his knuckles were cut—dried blood settled in the grooves and notches.
“Should we call them?” Katie couldn’t bear to think two more people could be killed. She stopped, taking all weight off her injured ankle and leaning against a tree for balance.
Hunter’s penetrating
gaze dropped to her ankle. “It’s swelling.”
“I’m okay. We need to get Christian to safety.” She placed her foot on the ground, refusing to waver in the pain. She tilted her head toward her brother and lowered her voice. “His skin is losing color.”
Hunter shot his appraising eye to Christian, then back. His gentle stare caressed her face, causing her heart to flutter. “He’s lost a lot of blood.”
“We need to hurry.” She moved toward Christian.
Hunter took Christian’s other side and led them up the path. Suddenly, he stopped. His head jerked around to the right, then the left.
Fear constricted in her chest. “What?”
“I can’t tell if we need to move up or down from here.” He nudged Christian. “Man, is this the path you and Ariel came down?”
Christian lifted his head, his eyes glassy. “Yeah, this is it.” His words shoved from his throat, sounding hoarse and broken.
“Let me see.” Katie eased away from her brother and limped up the path a short way.
Bending over, she inspected the mud-caked rocks. Streaking marks littered the rocks. She tugged at the low-lying bush, pulling it closer for inspection. Two leaves ripped and a stem snapped. Straightening, Katie turned back to Hunter. “This is the way they came.”
He cocked his head to the side, holding Christian upright. “Are you sure?”
She gave a snort of laughter. “Of course I’m sure. Born and raised on the Gauley, I know how to track. Who do you think taught Christian?” She nodded toward the bushes. “Someone’s come through here recently, since the rains stopped.”
“Well then, let’s go.”
Christian didn’t look good. Staggering to his feet and then leaning heavily on Katie and Hunter, he kept his eyes closed and his lips pulled into a tight line. Katie worried her bottom lip with her top teeth.
“He’s gonna make it, but he may lose consciousness soon.” Hunter’s words startled her.
She glanced at him, seeing his eyes soften as hers met with his. “But he’ll be okay?”
“We need to get him medical attention as soon as possible, but he should be fine. The bullet went straight through his arm. I think it might’ve nicked an artery.”