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Cisco chuckled at that picture.
“You did good, Hilly,” he praised. “I was worried you and Nel came to the rescue on your own.” One thing did puzzle him, however. “But Hill, why didn’t you bring Crash?”
Hilly dipped her head, and even in the subdued light, Cisco could see her cheeks redden. “I, um, needed someone to wait for Mason and your team, and I already knew from Mason’s attitude, that he wouldn’t be happy I wanted to join in the search. So I kind of made up a lame excuse about using the bathroom, and snuck away.”
Cisco smirked. “Crash is not going to like that.”
“Tough patooties,” she said with attitude. “If I’d waited, I might not have run into Carter and found out where you were.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Cisco replied. “Nel knew. I woke up with her licking my face earlier. Didn’t I girl?” he crooned to the pup.
Nel whined, and came over to lay down right next to him.
“Right,” Hilly agreed. “But she couldn’t tell me how badly you were hurt, or that Cottins was behind everything.”
“True. That man’s a total asshole,” Cisco muttered.
“Agreed.” Hilly’s brow creased. “Shit. These knots are tight.” She huffed, still working. “They’re starting to come loose…”
Snapping twigs outside had both their heads coming up. Nel stood, and growled deeply in her throat.
“That’s not your team,” Hilly whispered.
“It’s not,” Cisco agreed. “Go, Hilly. Run,” he ordered. “I’ll be fine.”
The last thing he wanted was for Cottins to get his hands on her.
“I’m not leaving you,” she said, stubbornly.
“Hilly, please?—”
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the fat bitch who thinks she can keep me from getting what I want.”
Too late.
Cottins’ large body loomed in the doorway.
He leered. “Isn’t that sweet. Trying to help your boyfriend. It’s not going to do you any good. His remaining minutes are numbered.”
The bastard strode forward, reached down, and grabbed a handful of Hilly’s hair, yanking her to her feet.
“Ah!” Hilly cried out.
Cisco saw red and snarled. “Get your filthy hands off her right now, or I’ll fucking kill you, Cottins.”
“Oh yeah?” he sneered. “I don’t think you’re in any position to be making threats, officer,” Cottins rejoindered sarcastically. “And I’ll do what I please. I’m a little upset right now because she’s complicated my plans.”
Hilly struggled in the man’s grasp, but he cuffed her in the face, sending her spinning across the room to stop a few feet away.
Clearly, Nel had seen enough.
She leaped at the man, teeth snapping. Cottins yelped in pain as she tore into his bicep, but when she wouldn’t let go, he punched her with his free hand, and she went sprawling with a pained whine.
“Nel!” Hilly screamed.
“Call your dog off, Hilly, or I’ll end her, I swear it,” Cottins spat.
Hilly knew by now that Cottins meant business.