Gun up, Jacob charged into a clearing and came face to face with his target and Amber; she wore only her bra, underwear and long, black gloves. The muscles at the back of his jaw tightened, as he watched her head being forced backward, while she pulled on the elbow under her chin, her feet periodically coming off the ground. “Let her go, Xavier.” Lowering his center of gravity, he advanced. “It’s over. You have nowhere to go. Your men are dead. It’s over.”
Xavier cursed. “I say when this is over. Not you.”
Jacob cut the distance and opened the angle between him and Amber, reducing the chances of a less than perfect shot hitting her.
“I swear I’ll,” Xavier jammed the gun’s muzzle into Amber’s head; her neck cranked sideways, “open her skull if you don’t back off.”
“I’m the one you want. Leave her out of this.” He took a couple steps left, giving him more room for error. “Point that thing at me.”
Xavier let a short laugh. “You think I’m stupid. My finger twitches, and she’s dead. I turn this gun on you, and you get a free shot at me.” He shook his head. “No way.” He backtracked.
Jacob followed. “Listen to me, Amber. Everything’s going to be all right. You hear me?”
Her jaw clamped shut, Amber tugged on the arm around her throat, her fingernails digging into the jacket’s black sleeve.
“Focus on the sound of my voice, sweetheart. You’re going to get through this. When this is all over…you, me and Destiny are going to have a drink together.”
Amber screwed up her face. Destiny? What— her body coming off the ground, she kicked her legs before her sandals touched down, are you talking about? She leaned forward, and the arm around her neck yanked her upright. Why would I want to have a drink with her?
Xavier looked over his shoulder, and Jacob took two quick steps closer. “I hear she serves up a mean grape…punch.”
“Shut up.” Xavier cursed. “Just shut the hell up, or I’ll end this right now.”
Amber eyed Jacob. Grape punch?
Jacob watched her pull on the arm and struggle with her abductor, her face twisted. Come on, Amber. You know what I’m— he spotted her eyebrows hike upward, while she balled one hand. That a girl. Jacob gripped the Coonan a little tighter. He drew in a short breath, let out half, closed his left eye and put the 1911’s front sight on Xavier’s face.
Lowering her gaze, Amber zeroed in on her target and swung her fist. The tension around her neck loosened. She slipped beneath the arm and dropped to the ground, away from her kidnapper.
Xavier’s gun hand went to his crotch.
Jacob touched the trigger of the 357 Magnum; a ball of flames spewed from the muzzle after a 158-grain jacketed hollow point bullet left the barrel and penetrated his adversary’s eye socket.
Xavier’s head lolled backward. Arms hanging limp, his body followed. The gun left his hand, landing on the ground a split-second before the human trafficker’s corpse thudded to the earth.
Jacob approached, kicked the gun further away and sent another blow to the body; it never budged.
Coughing, and rising to her feet, Amber stumbled sideways before rushing forward and throwing her arms around her savior.
He gave her a one-armed hug. “Are you okay?” He felt her squeeze harder, while the side of her face rubbed against his shirt, as she nodded.
She jerked her head away from him. “Felicity…” Amber hacked, “is she…” more coughing, “all right?”
“Your sister’s safe.”
Massaging her neck, she cleared her throat, “Thank God,” and put her face to his chest. Her feet danced.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m just a little chilled.”
“What am I thinking?” He holstered the Coonan and opened his jacket. “Here…take my coat.”
“No.” She pressed her cold nose to his warm body. “You’re giving off a lot of heat right now.” Her grasp closed around his midsection. “I want to soak some of it up first.” A few seconds passed. “I’m fine though.” She swallowed. “Just a little shaken…that’s all.”
He shut his eyes and let out a deep sigh. Thank you, God…for protecting her…and making me accurate. Jacob enveloped her with the jacket. A moment later, he frowned, peeled back the right side of the suit coat and glanced down the length of her body. “Uh…Amber?” He covered her backside again.
“Yeah?”
He hesitated. “Are you wearing a thong?”
Moments passed, while crickets chirped above the night’s stillness. A light breeze moved branches and rustled leaves. Off in the distance, a car horn beeped once.
“Okay then.” He bobbed his head. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”
“Hey,” she mumbled into the ruffles of his shirt, “it’s not often a small-town girl from North Dakota gets to go to a fancy ball and rub elbows with the rich.” She shrugged. “So I thought I’d go all out. No regrets, right?”
“You do realize we were on an assignment…playacting as a couple.”
Arms around his waist, she cranked her head back and looked up at him. “I’ve been kidnapped…shot at…had my clothes ripped from my body…and a gun put to my head. How about you throw me a bone and let me enjoy myself for one minute?”
Jacob snickered, pulled her head to himself and kissed the top of her hair. “You are one heck of a woman, you know that? I’m really glad I begged you to come along with me on this trip.”
She craned her neck to see him. “Wait. You begged me…to come along? If I recall correctly—”
“Sh.” He chuckled and gently brought her head back to his shirt. “Just enjoy your minute, Amber.” He lifted his head to glimpse the night sky, his mind reflecting on their time together:
Destiny wagged a finger at Jacob. “You, however, I’d remember all day…and all night…long.”
Taking a swig from her glass, Amber spit water across the table. Wiping her face, she coughed a couple times and grabbed a napkin. “I’m sorry. Something must’ve…made me choke.”
Jacob smiled and glimpsed the top of Amber’s hair. She’s funny.
“Trust me, Jacob. If you mean anything to this woman, she wants to hear your voice. She’ll quickly forgive you for any lost sleep.” Amber forfeited the cell and patted his chest on her way to the bathroom. “I’ll give you the room. I need a quick shower anyways.”
Jacob pivoted. “But what if—”
Amber jabbed a forefinger over her shoulder. “Call…her.”
He smiled and chuckled. ‘All right then,’ he tapped Stockwell’s name on the cell, ‘I think I’ll call her.’
Jacob arched his eyebrows. She’s smart.
Jacob took the two steps, first admiring her jet-black, straight hair that just touched the back of her shoulders; then her outfit—a deep burgundy, short-sleeved V-neck evening gown that hugged her body from shoulders to hips. “Speaking of confidence, Miss McNeil,” they climbed stone steps in front of the two wooden doors, “none of these women have anything on you. You look…stunning.”
She put a gloved hand to her chest. “Thank you, Mr. St. Christopher. You’re not so bad yourself.”
Jacob nodded his head. And she’s attractive. His chest swelled, and he slowly exhaled over the next few seconds. I’m going to miss you, Miss McNeil. You’re one of the good ones.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
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