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I glanced out the windshield and skirted into the oncoming lane.

“Ah, fuck. You’re nuts,” Kruz snapped.

“You have no idea.” I was forced to shift back and forth. Horns blasted, cars jerking to the side to avoid hitting me.

I blasted through a light and made a quick right turn.

“I think my life just flashed in front of my eyes.”

“Yeah. Just wait.” I floored it again, finally reaching the street where her house was.

I jerked the car to a stop a full block away. When I climbed out, I grabbed one of the assault rifles, throwing the strap over my shoulder.

“The lights are off,” Kruz noted. The rain was pouring down and within seconds, we were soaked.

I didn’t need to order anyone. They all knew exactly how to handle this.

We rushed on both sides and I moved toward the front door, kicking it in with ease. There were bodies on the front lawn. I suspected most belonged to Genevieve’s men. The stench of gunfire lingered in the air. A shadow caught my eye and I didn’t hesitate to fire.

All sound stopped as I stormed into the house, swinging the rifle from side to side. The lightning provided a neon backdrop as I tore through her house.

“Jago!” Kruz yelled and I dropped and rolled, firing off several rounds.

The fucker went down and I jerked to my feet. The lights suddenly flickered, flashing on and off before remaining on.

“No!”

A rumble of thunder suffocated the sound, but I heard it.

I rushed toward the noise.

A soldier had Genevieve down, his hand wrapped around her throat. Before I could get to her, she managed to jerk out from under him, issuing a primal roar as she managed to climb on top. She had the knife she’d used on me in her hand and just before she drove the blade into his neck, the asshole grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm and shoving the blade back in her direction.

I reacted instantly, lunging toward her, as gently as possible pitching her off. I grabbed my handgun and fired off four shots in rapid succession.

When I was certain the assailant was dead, I turned my head to the side.

Her mouth was twisted in terror, her face covered in blood. She stared up at me with wide eyes as she gasped for air.

I lowered my weapon, scanning the room before dropping to my knees in front of her.

“Is he dead?” she asked.

“Trust me. He’s dead.” I brushed hair from her face and lifted her chin gently. “Are you hurt?”

“No. Why?” She was obviously dazed.

“Because you’re covered in blood.” I pulled the knife away, wiping the blade on my trousers. How the fuck has this happened?

“No. Not my blood. I, um… I think I got one. I’m not sure.”

She was going into shock. I pulled Genevieve to her feet and she stumbled forward. That’s when I scooped her into my arms, carrying her toward the couch.

“Bella. Where’s Bella? No. No!” She gripped my shirt, hissing at me. “If you hurt Bella…”

“This wasn’t me, sweetheart. I got your message. I came as fast as I could. Who has Bella?” As a measure of solidarity, I handed her the knife. She stared at it for a few seconds, blinking as if trying to drive away the fog. I noticed the light returning to her eyes and her breathing slowed. When she took the weapon from my hand, I wasn’t certain she didn’t have intentions of using it on me.

She held it to the light, easily debating whether she could trust me.