Page 176 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Delaney’s face caved as she rushed into Corbin’s arms. “Don’t go out there. He’ll kill you.”

“I’ll be all right.” He hoped that was the case. But more than anything he had to keep Pops and Zane safe.

“Time’s running out!” Hugh yelled. “Ten … nine … eight …”

Corbin cupped her face. “I have to.” He had to get out there fast.

“I love you,” she uttered.

“I love you too.” He pressed his lips to hers.

Hugh’s voice rattled through the radio. “Seven … three … one.” A shot cracked through the air.

Corbin and Delaney both jumped.

A raucous laugh scratched through the radio. Then he swore. “Guess we don’t know how to count in Alabama.”

Nausea swept over Corbin. He looked at Delaney’s stricken expression. Without another word, he stepped through the front door. His heart ripped in two when he saw Pops on the ground. His hand was over his shoulder, blood pooling out.

Fury twisted through Corbin, and instinct made him want to pull out his Glock and start shooting. Then he looked at Zane.

He gave Corbin an imperceptible nod that said,You’ve got this.

It was amazing how much confidence that single look gave Corbin. He held up his hands walking out slowly.

“That’s far enough,” Hugh said when he got to the bottom of the steps. His cold eyes raked over Corbin. “So you’re the one who’s been hiding Delores?” His voice was friendly, conversational, a parody of Delaney’s more refined Southern accent. “Delores always did like the pretty types. My brother was a pretty boy.” A macabre smile twisted over his face. “Better send her out. Or this will end badly.”

Corbin glanced at Pops. His face was pale as sand, but he seemed to be hanging in there.

“The Bible says an eye for an eye,” Hugh said, a casual lilt in his voice. “Delores has to pay for what she done to my brother.”

“What about turning the other cheek?” Corbin demanded, locking eyes with the monster. “Your brother broke into Delaney’s house, tried to rape her. He deserved to get shot … deserved to die.”

Hatred flashed in Hugh’s eyes, the apathetic mask falling away. “She beguiled my brother!” he screamed.

“Your brother was a wife beater. And you stood back and let it happen.”

“Shut up!” Hugh screamed, firing a shot at the ground, a mere foot from where Corbin was standing.

Corbin jumped, his heart going into his throat.

“I said bring her out.” Hugh pointed his gun at Pops’ chest. “Or the old man gets it!”

Delaney looked at Cannon who was standing by the window, his body tensed as he waited for the code word. She had to act now while he was preoccupied. Her childhood flashed through her mind. The persistent rumble of her hungry stomach, the filthiness of the trailer, her mother’s empty promises that she’d change. Hugh had used the drugs as a means of control, giving her mother a little more each time, until she was totally at his mercy.

It had been a frigid day in February when her mother was buried. In her mind’s eye, Delaney felt the swirl of the sleet around her, matching the coldness of her heart. Delaney stood over her mother’s coffin and watched it being lowered into the ground. Everything within her wanted vengeance on the man that brought her mother to this point. But she’d been helpless then.

Today, however, there was something she could do. No longer would she stand by and watch Hugh kill the people she loved. A surge of energy spiked through her as she sprang into action. “I’m right here, you scumbag,” she yelled, rushing out the door.

“Scumbag!” Corbin yelled at the same time Delaney came through the door. Time seemed to slow as he pulled his gun and shot Hugh straight through the heart. His eyes widened in surprise as he went to his knees then fell facedown into the snow. Cannon must’ve gotten the tango holding a gun on Zane. He fell back. A bullet whizzed past Corbin’s right ear as he aimed and took out the tango next to Pops. Zane went down and grabbed the guy’s gun that Cannon had shot. At the same time, Sutton’s men fired from behind.

It was all over in a matter of seconds. Corbin’s first thought was for Delaney. He turned, overjoyed to see her standing, unscathed. A sob wrenched her throat. He looked at Pops, relieved he was okay. Zane was helping Pops to his feet. He, too, was okay.

It was a miracle that they were all alive!

Two of Hugh’s men were killed and the other three were being handcuffed by Sutton’s men. Delaney stumbled down the steps where she fell into his arms. Cannon came out behind her. “Sorry, I didn’t realize she’d gone out until it was too late.”

“No worries, my friend. She may be little, but she’s stubborn.” Corbin pulled her close, rubbing her back. “I’m glad you’re okay … and that it’s over.”

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