Page 51 of Special Agent Anastacia

Wary, his heart gave battle, wanting them to have the future they’d just laid out. Feeling all kinds of fear at the thought thatthey’d likely be meeting up with the worst monster of all time, he forced himself to continue with the plan. Sure, he wanted to pick her up and force her back to safety, but it couldn’t be acted on. It killed him to know the truth. Ana would fight him all the way.

When he closed his eyes, the image of poor Sam and his family appeared, and he knew they didn’t have any other option but to carry on, pray they weren’t too late, and that Vlad hadn’t taken his revenge. He fought off his worries and moved toward the shore.

Once he’d found the perfect stump to anchor the boat to, he hauled it in as close as he safely could. Before he’d finished, Ana had slipped in beside him.

“The fire is everywhere. I didn’t notice it until we rounded the bend. With so much smoke, it’s hard to breathe.”

“Yeah. Dave said the helicopter pilot just arrived and warned him that they’d spotted it flaring up in this direction. He’d watched most of the families evacuate except for the Roddams. It’s what scared him into calling me.”

“You’re thinking what I’m thinking, right? That Vlad made his way back here for the money. He knows Mike had to have left it somewhere on the property. I bet he figures that the Roddams are hiding it.”

“Christ, who knows what the lunatic thinks. We need to get to the house as quick as we can. The fire is moving fast.”

He pointed behind the house to the south and sure as hell, Ana made out the flames headed in their direction.

“Okay, we need to stick together. I’m praying the family is still alive. And, if I can get a clear shot on Vlad, you can bet your sweet ass, I’ll take it. We haven’t a lot of time.”

“Right behind you.”

Soon, they approached the window in the kitchen area and looked inside. They saw Sam beaten and lying in a heap on the floor with Hattie kneeling next to him. Sure as shit, Vladappeared in front of them with Justin hanging from his grip. “I’ll only say it once again. Either give me the money, or first the boy dies… then Sam.” He glared at Hattie. “Up to you, bitch.”

Hattie, on her knees, tears streaming, dripping from her trembling chin, beseeched the beast. “How many ways can I tell you?” She screamed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about and neither does Sam. I swear. Just give us a chance to get to the bank and take money from our account. We can get you fifty thousand in cash right away, I promise.” She began coughing, her face a mess of bruises and tears. “God, help us… you have to believe me. You can have my rings and whatever jewelry you want. Take anything. Please… just don’t hurt my son.”

Justin, hanging from the gripping, hurting hand, cried out, wriggling as much as he could. “Stop torturing my mom.” The kid had guts for sure, but his temerity just pissed Vlad off worse.

Ana hated that she didn’t have a clear shot, not with the boy being jerked to and fro in front of the bastard. Nash pulled at her arm and pointed to the back of the place. The flames had jumped from the trees and were now burning on the roof… with only moments for it to move to this part of the house.

“We need to get in there now. What if you shoot into the room, making him take cover and pray he’ll let go of Justin.”

***

“It’s worth a try. We don’t have much time.” Ana saw some flames ignite on the corner of the porch, moving ever closer.

Taking aim, she shot at the ceiling light, leaving the room in semi darkness. Happy to see that Nash’s plan worked, that Vlad had shoved the boy in order to take cover, she kept firing. Then she gave orders, yelling into the room. “Hattie, get out the door beside you. Help Sam. You too Justin. Do it now. I’ll cover you.”

She listened to the screams of the family as Hattie and Justin hauled Sam toward the doorway. She kept up a stream of bullets, forcing Vlad to stay hidden or get shot. Watching as the hysterical woman and her son yanked their loved one through the doorway without any care for him getting knocked around, she cheered them on. “Hurry. The house has caught fire. Run to the lake. Nash is here and will help you.”

Vlad continued firing his gun, but he never got the chance to get a good aim on her. Ana’s continuous barrage of bullets kept him down. Once the Roddams, were clear, she started to edge away, knowing there were only seconds to get to the water and safety.

Then suddenly she saw something that glued her to the spot. Nash had rushed through, into the burning room, heading toward the menace who had dropped his gun and was now begging, crying, pleading for help.

She watched her man run forward and haul the stupid bastard out from where he crept into the corner, too scared to help himself. Flames had burst out everywhere and a roar of sound made her aware that some of the roof had collapsed and the front of the house glowed from the flames eating it up. Lifting her gun, she took aim to shoot that monster, leaving Nash free to save his own life.

Unfortunately, Hattie took that moment to appear, screaming for her to run. “Ana, you have to come now. The others are at the boat. Hurry. Please hurry.”

Only Ana could no more leave Nash than she could kill the man he’d chosen to save. Lowering her gun, she yelled her fury. “Fu-u-ck!!”

While the mounting smoke obliterated the scene, she had no way of knowing what was happening inside. Praying, crying, her heart in agony, she held her breath and fought against Hattiewho was pulling on her to come. “Ana! Hurry. The fire is everywhere. We need to leave. Now.”

“Nash. I can’t. He’s inside.”

“What? No! Son of a bitch.”

Fighting Hattie’s grip, needing to stay, she broke loose and forced herself to the door where the Roddams had escaped and got there just in time to see her brave lover with a bundle over his shoulder, stumbling toward them.

With Hattie leading the way, screaming her relief, Ana pushed Nash in front as they headed back to the boat. With every step she shrieked in anger, releasing her fright. “You fucking idiot! You almost died, saving that waste of skin. Are you crazy? I outta shoot you for putting me through that hell.”

As soon as they reached the water, Nash dropped the now unconscious man into the shallow water and then grabbed her close, holding her tight. “I’m okay, baby. Breathe. I’m fine. I-I couldn’t watch a man burn if I could save him… now could I? Same way you couldn’t shoot him when you had the chance. It’s… it’s the job.”

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