Page 79 of The Last Kingdom

Go ahead, you SOB. Do it.

The door moved.

He anchored his body with his left foot and slammed the sole of his right shoe into the door, propelling it outward.

* * *

RIFE WAS PUSHED BACK, OFF BALANCE, THE GUN UNSTEADY IN HIS GRIP.

The door exploding outward had startled him.

He’d not expected Malone to be that aggressive, but he should not have been surprised. He staggered for a few steps.

Regained his balance.

And worked to level the gun.

* * *

COTTON LUNGED FROM THE DOORWAY AND TACKLED RIFE, PROPELLINGhis body into the other man before he could fire.

Together, they hit the carpet.

He needed to disarm Rife but the gun’s shoulder strap prevented that from happening. So he opted to pound his right fist into Rife’s face. He rolled his body to be on top and noticed that Rife had come prepared, wearing a Kevlar vest.

Good for bullets.

Not so good for a fistfight.

* * *

KOGER HURRIED TOWARD THE GUNFIRE, WHICH HAD COME FROMTHEother side of the floor.

He heard sounds of a struggle.

One he was drawing closer toward.

* * *

RIFE PIVOTED UPWARD AND TOSSED MALONE OFF. HE USED THEmoment he’d bought to roll onto his side and regripped the weapon, intent on obliterating his attacker. But Malone seemed to realize his dire predicament and scampered immediately toward the bathroom door, yanking it open and disappearing inside. Before it fully closed, he sent a volley of rounds into the wooden panel.

Footsteps were approaching.

From behind.

He swung around and aimed the rifle. If Malone had been armed, he would have used the weapon.

No.

The real threat was coming.

* * *

KOGER’S EARS PERKED AT THE SUDDEN SILENCE.

There was a struggle, then gunfire, then nothing. And all just around the corner ahead. He approached the wall edge and peered around.

Nothing.