Page 106 of Last Chance Christmas

“Whoa. Watch it.” Cole pulled the scissors back.

“Sorry.” She grimaced.

“Here.” Cole had severed her ropes and now handed them to her to do the same on his.

“I’m going to see if I can unlock the doors from the driver’s side. I’ll hop out from the front, and you escape through the back. Keep running and don’t look back. If my assessment of the area is correct, we’re on the south side of the Mountain Ridgeview Overlook. There are a few houses tucked in the woods north of here, about a mile away. Go to the closest house and call 911. Tell them Victoria is working with Mackey and that they have my car. As long as Victoria didn’t disable the GPS tracker on this vehicle, they can pull it up for a precise location. They’ll send out the crew.”

The plan could work, except it wouldn’t. Kianna might get away, but what about Cole? She wouldn’t think that way. He could hold his own. He would make it out alive. Backup would be right around the corner. She would hope for the best outcome. No matter the odds stacked against them.

“Cole.”

“Kianna.”

They said each other’s names simultaneously, and if it weren’t for the dire circumstances, it would have been funny.

Before Kianna could speak again, Cole said, “Whatever happens, I need you to know I’m sorry.” Cole put his hand on top of hers, his thumb rubbing back and forth.

Kianna parted her lips to speak but decided to let him finish first. She’d been in the wrong too. Not respecting that he had a job to do and that he was just looking out for her. Still, the apology soothed over the cracked edges of her heart, restoring the gaps left by hurt.

“It wasn’t fair of me to push you away. You were right about so many things. I’ve kept people at arm’s length to avoid pain. You helped me see that. And you’ve been a great partner on this case.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I just wanted you to know.”

Kianna smiled, even while her lip trembled. “Quit talking like we’re going to die, okay? We’re going to get out of this together. Partner.” She squeezed his hand.

He climbed into the front seat. With a brief nod of his head, he hit the unlock switch and opened the door.

Right as the car alarm screamed.

She’d told him they were partners. And now, thanks to his apology, she couldn’t imagine leaving his side to fight this battle alone. Never mind their plan. They were going to do this together.

Eleven

Cole jumped out of the car, his head and heart thrumming in time to the beep of the antitheft alarm. There was no way to make a surprise ambush now.

Kianna raced past him. The sooner she got help, the quicker they could put an end to things.

Mackey and Victoria whirled and pointed their weapons.

“No!” Kianna screamed. She pivoted and made a beeline for Victoria.

What was she doing? He was supposed to handle Victoria and Mackey so Kianna could make it out alive.

Cole sprinted toward her.

A bang resounded, then a second.

He dropped to all fours and rolled to the side.

Another round of bullets sprayed the area around him, kicking up ice and snow. A cold sensation seared his neck, then trailed down his back.

“Let go of me,” Kianna cried.

The bullets had failed to take Cole out, but her plea stabbed his chest, hitting the mark on his heart.

Cole jumped up and came face-to-face with the criminal he’d put away once. This time, though, Mackey was the one with leverage, and the smug look on his face told Cole he knew it.

Cole took a step toward the man who had Kianna in his grasp. He used her as a shield, and his weapon was flush against her neck.

“Don’t even think about it.” Victoria dropped the gasoline tank and trained her weapon—or rather, his Glock, still in her possession—on Cole, center mass. Where had she learned tactical skills? This woman worked for the city in an office. Not a special ops force.