Page 5 of Braxton

???

Where the hell are you?Quinn wondered, tightening her fist around the rock. With a frown, she dropped down and searched for Braxton’s large, booted feet. Dammit, he’d stopped following her. Suddenly, she no longer felt like the predator.

She was on the other side of the garage, near the first laser tripwire, but Braxton was a ghost. He’d just pulled a disappearing act. She huffed out a sigh and hunkered down out of sight. Maybe he’d guessed it was a trap and snuck out.

Or, maybe he was now hunting her.

A chill moved down her spine. A moment after the ominous thought hit her, a muffled pop filled the air. A bullet tore past her face, skimming her cheek, and she rolled sideways with a muffled curse.

That sonofabitch just shot at her!

Fuming, she popped up and ran, making sure to stay low and out of range. If he wanted a gun fight, she’d give him one. Pulling her Glock 19 from its holster, she moved behind an SUV, lifted her weapon and fired in his general vicinity.

Her gut told her to move, and good thing. A second later, a bullet slammed into the SUV’s windshield, shattering it into a spiderweb of cracks. That was too close. Where was he? How had he gotten such a good shot?

An icy trickle of dread slithered through her body. All this time she’d been low, staying on the ground. But that shot had come from a higher place.

Her gaze wandered up and she saw him, standing on the roof of a car, body behind a pole, using it as cover. They momentarily locked gazes before he jumped off the vehicle and raced toward her.

Spinning around, Quinn bolted. Even from that distance, she could still picture those silver-gray eyes of his. Sometimes they’d reminded her of shards of ice, other times, they’d resembled liquid mercury. More specifically, they hit that melting point whenever he’d been balls-deep inside of her.

God, she hated that he was the best sex she’d ever had. But it was a fact, and denying it wouldn’t change the insane number of orgasms he’d given her or the needy sounds only he could make come out of her throat.

Damn him and his magical cock. She should’ve cut it off when she’d had the chance.

Even though things had ended terribly between them, some nights she still missed him. Missed those beautifully serious eyes and the way they crinkled when he smiled. And even though she could take care of herself, sometimes it still felt nice to be wrapped in a big, warm, protective pair of muscled arms.

Biting back a frustrated growl, she threw herself behind another SUV and realized it was hers. Once again, it was suspiciously quiet. If he was moving around to try and trap her again, to catch her off guard from behind, then that meant one very big thing. He’d step right into the path of the tripwire. The whole back corner of the garage would blow up, triggering more explosions, and Braxton Graves would be dead. Exactly what she wanted.

A knot formed in her stomach.It’s what you want, Q,she tried to convince herself.

Wasn’t it?

Even though she should be getting the fuck out of there as fast as humanly possible, she hesitated. A memory of Brax saving her when she’d almost died triggered a moment of conscience. Guilt swept through her. She owed him. Even if he didn’t remember—and he probably did because the man had a memory like an elephant—she did.

“Fuck me.” Even though it usually ended up getting her in trouble, she’d always had a warped sense of loyalty and believed in paying back a debt. She couldn’t let him walk into the trap. She had to save him.

Then he’d be fair game.

Yanking her keys out of her leather jacket pocket, she slid into the unlocked Ford Explorer and started the engine. Brax would hear it and come after her, exactly like she wanted him to so she could draw him away from the tripwire.

Hitting the gas, she swerved out of the parking spot, determined to cut him off. Sure, she’d probably have to hit him to do it, but he was tough. He’d bounce right off the car and then try to follow her when she left through the nearest exit.

Then her debt would be paid and all bets were off.

???

The roar of a car’s engine filled the air and Brax paused mid-step. He was approaching the rear corner of the garage, planning to sneak around his target, but hesitated. He hadn’t seen anyone else enter the garage so it must be her.

Was she done playing and now planning to escape?

Over his dead body.

Racing out from between two parked cars, he skidded to a halt out in the open. A Ford Explorer peeled around the corner and came barreling straight at him. His reflexes were fast, but the SUV was faster.

There wasn’t enough time to jump out of the way. Right before the vehicle hit him, he hopped up, slamming against the hood, and looked through the windshield at the driver.

Time seemed to freeze as familiar sage green eyes met his.Quinn.

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