Page 64 of Risky Passion

Onyx’s growl deepened as her eyes flicked between Jaxson and Eddie. She seemed to be torn between obeying him and protecting him.

“Onyx.” Jaxson’s tone left no room for argument. “Down.”

With a low, reluctant whine, Onyx lowered herself to the ground and her ears pinned back as she continued to glare at Eddie, baring her teeth.

“Good girl,” Jaxson murmured, though his voice was tight and his focus remained on Eddie and the gun.

My chest heaved, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it might explode. Onyx’s reluctant obedience made bile rise in my throat. I wanted to scream at Eddie to lower the gun, to leave us alone, to just stop. But fear kept me rooted in place.

Eddie sneered. “Now, back away from the car. No sudden moves!”

Jaxson stepped back with his hands still raised and his eyes locked on Eddie. “Don’t do this, buddy,” he said. “Whoever talked you into this, it’s not too late to stop.”

Eddie let out a strange, hollow laugh. “Oh, it’s way too late.”

“No, it’s not.” Jaxson’s voice hardened, his calm exterior slipping just enough to reveal the fire burning beneath it. His eyes flicked to mine, desperately pleading for me to back away . . . or run.

But I couldn’t leave him. Wouldn’t leave him. We were in this together. My legs were riveted to the ground, and my heart hammered so hard it drowned out everything else.

“You don’t want to do this, Eddie,” Jaxson said, taking another step back. His hands stayed up, his body stayed tense. “I see it in your eyes. You don’t want this on your conscience. Whatever you’re involved in, I can help you.”

From the ground, Onyx let out a low growl, her body trembling with restrained energy. Her instincts screamed to protect Jaxson, but she held herself back, waiting.

Jaxson gave her a subtle shake of the head; a silent command to stay. She whined, paws digging into the dirt, but she obeyed.

I swallowed hard past the dryness in my throat. “Please . . . don’t hurt us.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Eddie snapped. The gun wavered but stayed aimed at Jaxson.

“Who put you up to this?” Jaxson pressed. “Was it B?”

Eddie flinched like Jaxson had Tasered him, and the gun trembled in his hand before he clenched it tighter. His expression twisted with fear and rage, and what looked like desperation. “Shut up and get back!” he spat, his voice cracking, revealing his panic.

But Jaxson didn’t back down. “I know it’s her. She’s got something on you, hasn’t she?” He took a step forward. “Is it your wife? Kids?”

“Shut. The fuck. Up!” Eddie roared, jabbing the gun forward.

Jaxson shifted his stance, muscles coiled like a boxer.

Oh God. He’s going to attack.

“Whatever it is, we can fix it. We can—” Jaxson lunged. “Tory run!” he shouted as he charged at Eddie, grabbing his wrist. The two men collided with a sickening thud, slamming into the open car door.

“No!” I shouted, jumping back from their violent tussle.

Onyx erupted into a frenzy of barking, sharp and feral.

The gun fired. Once. Twice.

A bolt of fire tore across my upper left arm and blinding pain exploded through me, radiating into my armpit like molten lava. "Shit!" My world spun and I staggered sideways, gasping at the agony.

Blood streamed down my arm, soaking into my uniform.Oh God. I’m hit.I froze, unwilling to believe I’d been shot.

The men wrestled just feet away, their grunts were raw and primal. Their battle was brutal, terrifying.

"Run, Tory. Run!" Jaxson's cry cracked through the ringing in my ears.

He doesn’t know I've been hit.

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