Page 129 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

When they reached the back door, Delaney was about to push it open and run through, but Corbin caught her collar, pulling her back. “Not yet.” For all they knew, the shooters could’ve been a distraction to send them fleeing out the back into an ambush.

“Do you think Hugh’s out there?” The naked fear in her deep brown eyes ignited a fury in Corbin that burned acid through his veins. Everything in him wanted to come face-to-face with Hugh Allen so he could pummel the monster, then bury him. He sucked in a breath, trying to control the anger. He didn’t want to lose his head and have a repeat of what happened the night Doug was killed. He had to remain cool, alert. He eased open the door and peered out, noting two things simultaneously. The rain had stopped and the SUV was parked just outside.

“Anton, are you there?” He held his breath, waiting for a response, his mind going through alternate options. Senator Fleming and his wife had been taken to his study, at least that had been the plan. If all else failed, he could take Delaney there until more help arrived.

“I’m here,” Anton said.

Relief washed over him. They just had to make it to the SUV, a few steps away. “I’ve got Delaney. Is the coast clear?”

“Yeah, man, from what I can tell.”

“Are you sure? You’ve got to be right about this. Look around the area. Is there anyone out there?”

“I don’t see anybody. It’s clear.”

Corbin wished again for his former SEAL team members. If they assured him the coast was clear, he could bank on it. “Okay.” He’d go with Anton’s assessment and pray it was correct. He locked gazes with Delaney whose face was rigid. “You all right?”

She nodded, her lips vanishing into a thin line. His heart bled a little when he saw her clenched fists. She was petrified, but she was a fighter.

“The SUV’s right outside. Anton’s waiting for us. I’ll cover you. Just stay next to me. Be careful though. I’m sure the pavement’s slick.”

They made it only a couple of steps before a bullet whizzed by Corbin’s right ear. “Get down,” he yelled, pushing Delaney to the ground. The shot had been fired from across the yard. He crouched down beside Delaney, then saw the shooter partially hidden behind a tree. He aimed and fired a single shot. “Gotcha,” he muttered as the man went down. He looked around. There were more of them out there. He spotted one at two o’clock. Another at four o’clock. He fired. Shots came from behind them. He glanced back over his shoulder. Sutton’s security guards were returning fire. They had to move now while the snipers were distracted. “Let’s go!” They sprinted to the SUV. Corbin yanked open the door and pushed Delaney forward, diving in behind her. “Go!” he yelled as Anton stepped on the gas. The tires squealed, bullets pinging the windows, as they drove off. Corbinhad never been so grateful for bullet-proof glass. He made a mental note to thank Sutton for the SUV.

He turned to Delaney. “You okay?”

She nodded, a stricken expression on her face, as she looked down at her wet clothes. He suspected from the glazed look in her eyes and her shaking hands that she was in shock, but thankfully, she hadn’t been shot. He leaned forward, his head going between the seats as he glared at Anton. “I thought you said the coast was clear.”

Anton shook his head. “Sorry, man. I thought it was. I had no idea those guys were out there.”

Corbin clenched his jaw. “The next time you tell me it’s clear, you’d better know it.” Had Anton not been driving, he would’ve finished the brawl they started earlier. And this time, there wouldn’t be any security detail to stop him from pounding Anton’s head. He gave Anton a long, hard look to let the man know he had his number before sitting back down in the seat.

“Where to, Miss Mitchell? Back to your place?” Anton asked, keeping his eyes on Delaney, not daring to look at Corbin.

Delaney turned to Corbin. “Is it safe?” The words came out screechy, tears gathering in her eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she muttered, shaking her head and wringing her hands.

Corbin touched her ice-cold hands. “It’ll be okay. Look at me,” he commanded.

She let out a soft whimper.

“Look at me!”

She turned toward him.

“I’ll keep you safe. You have my word.”

She searched his face, and even in the near darkness, he could tell she was trying to decide if she could trust him. Finally, she nodded, her shoulders relaxing a fraction.

Anton glanced back at them. “Miss Mitchell, I took the liberty of calling my company. They have a team of bodyguards waiting for us at your condo.”

“Thank you, Anton,” Delaney said, her voice strained.

“I hope that was okay,” Anton continued. “I figured it couldn’t hurt to be safe.”

Corbin’s senses jumped to full alert. When had Anton had time to call his company? There had been scarcely enough time for the man to get out of the mansion to the SUV. Corbin’s mind raced through the events of the evening. He’d noticed the server because Anton was watching her. He assumed it was because the woman looked suspicious, but what if it was because Anton was waiting for her to act? Anton told him the coast was clear when there were shooters all over the place. The man had to have noticed something. Had Sutton’s security team not come through the back and started shooting, Corbin and Delaney would’ve been goners.

Delaney’s stylist had described the delivery man as muscular with a line tattoo on his wrist. Corbin leaned forward, trying to see, but Anton’s wrists were facing the steering wheel. He turned to Delaney and whispered. “How far are we from your condo?” She was about to speak when he put a finger to her lips. “Quietly,” he hissed.

She looked puzzled. “About five minutes,” she said softly.

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