Page 29 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)

Saddle Up

G ray was considering options when Boomer shattered the silence with a bark. The dog’s head whipped to the side, and he barked again while turning around on the seat. Gray believed him and yelled at Ford. “Stop. Turn around. Now.”

Ford followed instructions even while he asked. “You sure?”

“Boomer is, and that’s more than good enough for me.”

Ford made a tight U-turn and Knox followed suit behind them. Gray watched as Boomer tensed on the seat, eyes trained on the forest.

When Gray spotted a road, he pointed. It was barely more than a trail, but it was wide enough for a vehicle. Even more important, Boomer was laser focused on it.

“Park here. We don’t want to alert him we’ve found him. Boomer, quiet.”

Knowing the dog would follow commands, he hopped out and patted the dog. “Boomer. Search Amber. Find Amber.”

The dog shot down the road and Gray raced after him, gun in hand. He knew the others would follow, but he wasn’t waiting and planning a strategy. He was going to get Amber back.

Gray kept to the side of the road while the dog ran down the middle. He thought of telling Boomer to heel but didn’t. He wasn’t sure the dog would follow the command, anyway. Amber was in danger, and he knew it was his job to protect her.

The presence of a dog wouldn’t necessarily alert Allard to the fact that he’d been found. Boomer was trained by the best, and he knew how to assess a situation as well as most humans. Hell, probably better.

Gray had worked with several K-9 partnerships over the years and the bond between the animal and its handler was strong. Boomer was as intelligent and steady as any of those dogs.

The road curved and angled down, giving Gray the high ground. At the bottom, it curved out of sight again.

Boomer had moved to the edge of the road as well and slowed his pace. Gray assumed that meant he’d spotted their prey.

Knox and Ford arrived beside him. “Plan?”

Gray nodded. “We’re close. Boomer has him in his sights. I can’t see the vehicle yet, but it’s just ahead. We’ll stick to the trees until we’re closer, then surround him.”

Without another word needed, the three of them moved off. He assumed Jolie and Thea waited on the road to direct the others who would arrive, but he didn’t waste time asking. With his friends at his back and Boomer leading the charge, they would be enough.

The three men ran down the hill, staying close to the trees but not worrying about concealment. Allard likely believed no one was on his tail. He probably planned to wait until dark before heading out.

Which meant he’d either secured Amber with ties and a gag or he’d knocked her out. If he’d wanted her dead, he’d have shot her at the inn. This meant the man had a plan, and it wouldn’t be good for Amber, no matter what it involved.

With an almost physical force, Gray shoved aside the rage. He’d deal with that once Amber was safe.

Boomer checked over his shoulder and spotted Gray and the men. He waited until they nearly reached the bottom of the incline, and then he loped ahead toward the curve.

Gray followed Boomer. Annie and Dodge moved into the trees to surround the fucker.

Gray reached the corner and peeked around a tree. An older black sedan sat on the edge of the road. Parked. Not idling. Allard didn’t know they’d found him.

The trunk of the sedan was raised, and no one sat in the car. He assumed Amber was in the trunk, but she could have been tossed in the back seat.

None of them would risk a shot without knowing for sure.

He moved to Boomer’s side and patted his head.

Boomer took that as a command and moved toward the car. Gray lowered into a crouch and kept his weapon out, knowing his backup would be in place.

He rounded the edge of the trunk and had to work to control himself.

Allard was bent over Amber, who lay unconscious in the trunk. The man held a knife with a long, wicked blade.

The man reacted instantly to Gray’s appearance by putting the knife to Amber’s throat, right at her jugular.

Instead of looking scared at being caught, Allard grinned. “Perfect. You get to watch her die.”

Gray gritted his teeth. “Back the fuck up, asshole. It’s over.”

Allard, face covered with fading bruises, grinned. “For her? It sure as hell is. You’re next.”

He was awfully cocky for a man with a gun in his face. Did he have backup, too? Had someone gone into the bush to take a leak or check the surroundings?

Annie and Dodge would have heard Allard, and they would come to the same conclusion as Gray. He’d let them worry about anyone else. Allard was his.

He felt Boomer’s tension from his side. The dog was alert and ready for his opportunity. Gray didn’t think he’d need to voice the command, but he was as ready as the dog.

Had Allard even noticed Boomer?

“Do you really think this was smart, Allard? You think Lauzon is going to forgive another fuckup? You’re bringing more attention to his organization and he’s going to be pissed. Thanks to your stupidity, you’re done in every way you can imagine.”

Fear flashed in his eyes as Gray’s words registered. The knife lifted off Amber’s neck to point at Gray. “Then I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Allard realized his mistake at the exact moment Gray commanded. “Bite.”

He needn’t have bothered, as Boomer was already moving. With a mighty spring, the dog leapt at Allard and shoved him backward, aiming for the hand that held the weapon.

The knife flew and Gray followed Boomer’s lead, keeping his aim true. Boomer stood on the man’s chest and kept his teeth gripped on Allard’s arm. His teeth had cut through the jacket, and Gray hoped they’d found bone.

The large man shrieked as if he were in kindergarten. “Get him off me. I’ll kill you all. Get him off.”

Gray put his foot on the knife and ignored him. He heard rustling in the woods and called out. “You got the other asshole?”

Annie’s answer was a growl. “Got the prick. You got Amber?”

“As soon as Dodge has his gun on this guy.”

In seconds, his team was there. Gray turned to the dog; glad he’d learned the commands from Amber. “Release and guard.” Boomer immediately released Allard but continued to watch him, growling low in his throat.

Allard tried to clutch his arm, but at the movement, Boomer leaned in with another growl. Leaving his friends to tie up the pair of assholes, Gray turned to the vehicle.

Amber’s eyes were open and misty, but she tried to smile at him. He would have sagged with relief if she hadn’t been bound and gagged.

He touched the edge of the duct tape on her face and called out. “She’s conscious. I’m sorry sweetheart, this is going to hurt.”

She nodded minutely and winced at the motion. Had they hit her on the head?

He eased the duct tape off as quickly as possible. There was no way to do it without it stinging.

Amber winced again, but didn’t make a sound. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Let me get these ties.”

His voice shook, but he didn’t care. His pocketknife made quick work of the zip ties, and then he lifted her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest.

He turned and sat on the bumper, keeping her shaking body close. Boomer reached up and nuzzled her hand.

She stroked his muzzle. “Boomer. Thanks, buddy.”

Gray angled so that she could see the dog and spoke past the lump in his throat. “He led us right to you. He’s a hero.”

Amber gulped and ruffled Boomer. “You’re the best boy, Boomer. Thank you.”

Boomer licked her, then angled so he could keep watch over Allard and his friend while staying within Amber’s reach. Gray figured both the woman and the dog needed the contact. Him, too.

Keeping one hand on her dog, Amber angled her face to Gray. Her eyes were hazy, and he wondered if the bastard had drugged her.

She smiled. “And you, Gray Santoro, are the best man. Thank you.”

He kissed her lightly, unsure how her lips might be feeling. “I think most of the thanks goes to Boomer. I’m so sorry I left you vulnerable to that asshole.”

She smiled softly. “Not your fault. You found me. You and Boomer found me.”

He hugged her tightly, then looked up to find Knox at his side. A glance showed Dodge had the two thugs under his watch.

Knox ran his hand over Amber’s hair. “You okay, sis?”

Tears swam in her eyes again, but she nodded. “Thanks to all of you, I’m fine. Thank you.”

Knox squeezed her into a hug, but Gray couldn’t fully let her go just yet. His buddy seemed to understand and didn’t try to pull her away. Instead, he rested his head on her shoulder and blew out a breath.

The sound of engines approaching had Knox pulling out his gun as he moved around the car. In only a moment, he called. “Backup is here.”

Gray should move. Should get up and do something useful. There was a lot to figure out, but right now, all he wanted to do was hold Amber and never let her go.

So he did.

A mber clung to Gray, unable to do much of anything else. Her body wasn’t entirely under her control, and her brain felt fuzzy.

Having Gray hold her in those strong arms while Boomer stayed close enough for her to touch was all she needed. All she wanted.

She’d thought the situation at The Sidderlight had been bad. Having Allard grab her and use something to knock her out had almost been worse.

She didn’t think she’d been out long, but she wasn’t sure.

Knox reappeared with a smile. “The others are here, and some people from Phail and Midnight Lake, too. They’re all friends.”

She tried to nod, but that caused the wooziness to worsen, so she smiled instead. Boomer whined softly, and she stroked his head. “It’s okay, Boomer. I’ll be normal soon.”

Gray shuddered, and his arms tightened around her. “Did they knock you out with a blow or drug you?”

She heard another voice nearby and instinctively cuddled into Gray.

Knox patted her hair again. “It’s okay, sis. It’s Marcus Ramirez, the police chief from Phail.”