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The younger man didn’t go down as easily as his older counterpart.
Time slowed.
Curses littered the air.
Flesh met flesh in a deadly dance of hand-to-hand combat.
Gia stood, feet rooted to the ground while her body jerked in sympathetic rhythm with every grunt. Caleb, a stranger, was risking his life for her. She should run inside, get Billy to call the police.
Except if Caleb lost, she couldn’t risk the people inside the bar. And police meant an official report.
Attention she couldn’t afford.
Leave.Now.
She’d have a head start. Back to the safety of the rez. Then she’d figure out what to do.
She dropped to her knees. Felt around for her key. Her fingers grazed metal.
Key in hand, she stood on shaky knees. Panic blurred her vision, along with an oppressive wave of guilt. Was she really going to abandon her Good Samaritan?
Metal scraped as she struggled to unlock her car door.
The key slipped into the lock.
A bloodied hand closed over hers.
She screeched, her heart nearly exploding.
Caleb raised his palms. Stepped back. Blood flecked his white shirt and swelled from his lower lip.
“I’m no threat to you.” Despite the exertion, his voice was calm. Too calm.
“I have to go.” Her voice shook along with the rest of her.
“You’re in no condition to drive. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
She shook her head, unable to form words past the howling in her brain. Go. Go. Go.
“At least let me open the door for you.”
Tremors racked her. Could she trust him? Hehadcome to her defense.
Movement over Caleb’s shoulder caught her eye.
Mustache Man got to his feet. Raised his gun.
Pointed it at Caleb.
Gia’s eyes flew wide.
Caleb lunged, wrapping his arms around her.
The sky tilted as a shot rang out. Metal pinged.
Caleb grunted.
Gia hit the ground, pebbles digging into her back. Caleb’s broad palm cushioned her head. His hard body covered her.