Page 36 of Honey Trapped

“Hey, Ace.”

“Is Lennon still with you?”

“Yeah, I’m just about to get off work. Why? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know yet. Maybe nothing. Just do me a favor. Get Stud on the phone and have him come to you. I don't want to scare you, but Lennon’s father escaped from prison, and I can't get Norah on the phone. I’m headed to her now. I’ll be in touch.”

I end the call and hit the gas.

I’m halfway home when I come up on a rolled SUV. I slow down as I go for my cell again to dial 911 emergency services to report the accident.

The second I come to a complete stop my heart nearly pounds out of my chest. Adrenaline spikes through my veins at the sight of a man crouched over a body on the side of the road. Not just any body. It’s Norah. The woman who has captured my heart in a short amount of time. The woman I asked to trust me. To take a risk. The woman I know deep in my bones is meant to be mine despite being too damn young for me. The woman I broke my rules for.

She isn't moving.

I’m going to kill the bastard.

I jump out and Marco turns on me, aiming his gun right for me. I have a split second to duck and roll out of the line of fire. He fires on me again clipping the driver side door of my cage as I go for my own weapon. I slide behind my vehicle hoping he moves clear from Norah so I can get a lock on himwithout the worry of hitting her by accident. I pause and give myself a once over. I’m good.

I’ve never been much for prayer but right now on my knees I’m begging God to let her survive. I didn't wait forty-five years for her light to have it snatched away so damn quickly. Lennon needs her momma and I need her too.

Sweat beads across my forward dripping down the bridge of my nose. I lick the salty sweat from my upper lip and peer around the bumper.

Bastard has Norah under her armpits dragging her limp body toward my vehicle. Stupid fuck must think he got me, and desperation is kicking in.

I wait until he’s gotten closer before I make a move as much as it kills me to not blow his damn brains out.

“What are you doing?” I hear Norah’s slurred voice.

If she’s talking, she’s breathing. I take it as my sign from above that maybe God listens to sinners like me every once in a while. I hear a door open andwatch silently as he places Norah in my backseat. Once she’s in I act.

No more fucking around.

Sirens sound in the distance, and I know if I don't take him down, he’ll get away. The police aren't close enough to stop him. It’s up to me and I’ll do what it takes to make him pay.

I have a choice to make. I can end him now and risk prison time or I can subdue him and let justice take its course even though it failed Norah.

I make my decision. I step out from behind my vehicle ready to risk it all to save her life.

I charge at Marco knocking him into the back driver’s side door. I catch him off guard. Landing two punches into his temple before he fights back. He manages a few licks of his own before I take him to the ground. The bastard headbutts me and I lose control. I’m on my back. The ugly motherfucker lays into me, as he straddles my chest. He goes to reach behind him, and I go for my gun. I’m struggling to get it out from underneath me when a shot fires. Istare at him prepared to meet my maker as shock registers on his face. His mouth opens and he touches his chest looking down at me. I push him off me and see Norah partially hanging out of the back of my Explorer with a gun. Marco’s gun.

I jump into action.

Blood pools from beneath him. His blank eyes staring heavenward. Motionless. Lifeless.

I kick his side. Nothing.

He’s dead.

The sirens grow closer, but my focus is on Norah. She shot him.

I tuck my gun back in my waistband and check on my woman.

“Babe, you good?”

Her eyes blink and she coughs up blood as she drops the gun. I freeze at the sight of red liquid coating her lips.

“Stay with me, Norah. Fight for Lennon. Look at me.” Her eyes roll back. “No,” I growl and giveher a shake. “Open your eyes, babe.” I take her clammy hand in mine as the cops exit their vehicles and approach with their guns trained on me. “Don't you dare die on me.”

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