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“Don’t fight me, Gia. I’m prepared to kill you if I need to.”

He pulled her by her hand and dragged her from the house. She could hear the helicopter and the sound of the loudspeaker.

“This is the Dallas Police Department. Put down your weapons and lay facedown on the ground.” In the distance she saw the police cruisers, and then Gunny’s truck. She tried to pull away from him and he struck her across the cheek.

Gia fell to the ground as the wind blew dirt into her eyes as well as Valdere’s. He pulled the gun from his waist and pointed it at her. Despite not having any shoes or clothes other than her bra and panties on she did one of her martial arts moves and kicked the gun from his hands. It fired and the helicopter moved about above them as Valdere reached for her throat.

“Release the woman. You’re under arrest,” the loudspeaker yelled.

“I’ll kill you for this. You’re going to die,” he stated as he held her throat between his hands and squeezed. She tried to fight him. She kicked and hit and then tried to pry his hands from her throat. She was coughing, gasping for breath, when suddenly someone punched him. He released her throat and she fell to the dirt as she tried to catch her breath. She felt the shirt go around her shoulders then she heard Garrett’s and Wes’s voices.

“Oh shit, baby. Fuck.”

She gasped and coughed as she held her throat.

“An ambulance now,” Garrett yelled.

Looking up, she caught sight of Gunny standing over a body as Shane, Duke, and Teddy pulled him back.

Tears streamed down her face as Garrett lifted her into his arms.

“Baby, talk to us,” he yelled. She looked through blurred vision at Wes and Garrett.

“Can’t breathe,” she said.

“Fuck. We need help. He choked her, damn it. She can’t breathe,” Teddy yelled and the sound of more sirens filled the air. The echo of the helicopter’s rotors lessened and then she closed her eyes as darkness overtook her.

Chapter 12

Gia awoke feeling instant pain in her throat when she swallowed. She gasped and opened her eyes to see Wes and Garrett. “You’re okay, baby. You’re in the hospital,” Garrett whispered as he leaned closer.

She cringed from the pain in her throat and the soreness. When she tried to speak she sounded so hoarse.

“Don’t talk. You’re going to be okay. Let me get you some water.” Garrett lifted her up to a sitting position and she felt the headache, dizziness as she reached up to grab her head. Her lips felt swollen as she touched them.

“That fucker hit you and tried to strangle you,” Wes said as Garrett placed the straw between her lips. When she took the sip it burned.

“Fuck.” Wes raised his voice.

“Come here,” she squeaked out to him as Garrett placed the cup back down.

Wes ran his fingers through his hair. He looked so angry and upset.

“Hug,” she whispered and opened her arms to him. He glanced at Garrett and then at her before pulling her into his arms. He felt so good and she squeezed him tight then pulled him down with her.

“I love you, baby. I was so fucking scared.” She released her hold and looked into his eyes. The tears rolled down her cheek.

“It’s over.”

“I know, baby. I know.” He laid his head against her chest as she caressed his hair.

She looked at Garrett, who had his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face, showing off his dimples.

Wes stood up and she turned to Garrett with open arms. He immediately hugged her and she squeezed him tight. Then she felt the pain in her neck.

He laid her back down.

“You’re going to be sore for a while, but the doctor said you’ll heal just fine. Maybe a sore throat, a rough, scratchy voice, but otherwise you’re good.”