Page 41 of Betrayed

She nodded.

“Tango ten yards out,” Jack said. “I’m on my way but won’t make it in time to intercept.”

We were on our own.

Ten yards. Thirty feet. That was all that stood between Blake and the threat. I kept leading Blake as Jack kept me updated, dropping the threat’s distance every couple of words. He was moving fast, but not running.

When the guy was three yards out, Jack told me there was no one between him and me. Nine feet.

Given his height, he only had to take seven or eight steps.

Bound by the law, and my conscience, I wouldn’t draw my gun and risk hurting innocent bystanders. I doubted the Tango cared about either. I trusted my ability to handle the guy—as long as weapons weren’t drawn.

“No matter what happens, stay behind me.” I used my left arm to force her behind my back as I turned to face the threat. My right hand was up and ready to intercept.

Shock registered on his face when I spun around. His quarter-second pause was all I needed.

A quick glance told me his hands were empty.Thank God. I exceeded at unarmed combat and wouldn’t hesitate to demonstrate my skills on the fucker who was stupid enough to threaten my girl.

To gain the upper hand, I closed the distance, my right fist connecting with his face in a nose-breaking crunch. Unfazed by the pain or blood spattering across his lower face, he drew back to return the favor. I blocked it and trapped his arm, using it to pull him closer as I brought my knee up to his ribs. He tried to connect a punch with his free hand, but my next move twisted him into a choke hold.

I glanced over to make sure Blake was safe. A crowd was forming, but she hadn’t moved.

Not wanting to see the disgust in Blake’s eyes, I avoided making eye contact as I tightened my arm around the guy’s neck.

He clawed at me and tried stomping on my feet as he struggled.

He’s lucky I’m choking him out and not snapping his neck.

I tightened the sleeper chokehold, forcing him to pass out sooner.

“Sierra Four! Let go!” Jack’s voice cut through the red haze that had over-taken my mind. I relaxed my grip and set the guy on the ground, noticing the noise of the crowd around us for the first time. They were loud but giving us a wide berth.

“I’ve got him. See to Aurora.” Jack was standing next to Blake, protecting her as he led her towards me. The shock and fear on her face was enough to snap me fully back to the present. I replaced Jack at Blake’s side while he knelt over the limp body.

“I got this,” Jack said, letting me know he didn’t need my help zip-tying an unconscious man.

I gave Blake my full attention.

Her unblinking eyes stared at the guy on the ground.

“Are you okay?” I asked, stepping in front of her to block her view.

She didn’t move. Didn’t even blink.

The only thing I could think of was to physically pull her out of the trance.It’ll scare her.Knowing it needed to be done didn’t help me feel any better about it.

When I shook her shoulders, she yelped and jumped back.

At least she’s looking at me.

The fear in her eyes was like a dagger through my heart.

Shutting down my emotions, I focused on my goal—getting Blake to safety.

Just because we hadn’t seen anyone else didn’t mean the threat didn’t have backup.

Jack relayed information as he searched the guy for weapons. So far, he’d found a gun and a full syringe.

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