Page 67 of Dublin Debacle

“Jack! Need help?” Fearghas Gordon shouted in the distance.

Jack pointed to the woman. “Grab her!”

As he turned, Emily emerged from the limousine, hair in disarray, her hands held high, her gaze capturing his.

A man got out, close behind her, holding a handgun pressed to Emily’s back.

The air lodged in Jack’s lungs, and he froze.

If he tried to take the man out, he could pull the trigger and kill the woman Jack was falling in love with. He’d never have that date with her. Once again, he’d lose the one he loved. Could he live with that?

Yes. He had before.

Did he want to live with that loss?

He wasn’t ready to find out. He braced himself, ready to move, given any opportunity to change the outcome.

Suddenly, Emily dropped to the ground.

Jack reacted instantly, kicking out as hard and fast as he could.

The gun went off as Jack’s foot made contact with the gunman’s hand. The gun flew free and skidded across the pavement.

Jack launched himself at the man, knocking him to the ground.

He rolled over, flinging Jack from his back and lurched to his feet.

Jack grabbed the man’s ankle and yanked hard, dragging him to his knees, giving Jack enough time to jump on his back and grab him in a chokehold.

The man rolled to his side in an attempt to dislodge Jack, but Jack held on, tightening his hold until the man stopped fighting and went limp.

For a few seconds longer, Jack held tight, angry that he’d left Emily for even a moment and angrier still that this man would have killed her.

“Jack,” Emily came to stand beside him, holding the gun in her hand. “You can let go. I’ve got his gun.”

Jack looked up into the most beautiful blue-gray eyes. “He could’ve killed you.”

“But he didn’t,” Emily said. “Let go before you kill him. I want that date you promised, and I don’t want to wait until you get out of jail.” She winked.

Jack loosened his hold, shoved the man off him and leaned over to check for a pulse.

“Is he—” Emily started.

“Unfortunately, no. Do you still have that stun gun?”

“I do.” She reached into her pocket for the lipstick tube stun gun and handed it to Jack.

Jack flipped the mercenary onto his belly and sat beside him with the lipstick tube cocked and loaded. If the guy moved a hair, he’d get it.

Emily chuckled. “You know, you could have the gun.”

“Yeah, I’d be too tempted to shoot him, and the Garda might mistake me for one of them.”

Emily’s eyes widened. “You don’t think they’ll think I’m one of them, do you?”

He grinned up at her. “A pretty blonde like you? No way.”

Several men in uniform ran toward them, guns drawn. “Drop your weapon,” one called out.”

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