Page 17 of Wicked Obsession

In the next instant, he realized Langley was headed for the front door, a makeshift club in her hand. Shit, she wasn’t escaping—she was on a fucking rescue mission.

Silently, he chased after her, stopping her headlong dash by wrapping his arms around her from behind. She reacted instantly, nothing princess-like in her fierce response, and he tightened his hold before she could drive her elbow into his tactical vest. It would hurt her more than it hurt him. Whispering hotly, he said, “Damn it, it’s me. Ryder. Stop fighting.”

She sagged against him, but in the next instant, he felt her muscles firm and she pivoted in his arms. “You scared the hell out of me.” Her voice was as soft as his.

They were face to face, and he took a second to drink in the sight of her. He couldn’t make out much, not when it was essentially dark, but he could see the spark in her eyes. Damn, shecould be a handful. Ryder grinned—he couldn’t help it.

Langley tried to twist free, but he’d expected that and tightened his hold. At least she had the good sense to not yell—not that he’d ever heard her raise her voice before, but there was always a first time. “Let me go,” she hissed barely loud enough for him to hear. “Sarah’s in that house, and there was a gunshot. I have to save her.”

“Relax. There are some Navy SEALs in there right now trying to get her out, and I guarantee they don’t want your help. Come on, we need to get you out of here.”

She shook her head. “I want to make sure Sarah is okay.”

Fuck, she was stubborn. She’d argue with him the entire night if he let her. Ryder bent, put his shoulder into her stomach, and hoisted her into a fireman’s carry. Griff came up as he turned to haul her down the drive. “Tell Taggart I have her,” he ordered quietly, and without waiting for a response, he started jogging toward the road.

Langley was feeling slightlysick from bouncing on his shoulder, and she nearly lost her balance when Ryder set her back on her feet. She had to grab his forearms to keep from falling.

“What is it? Where are you hurt?” he demanded.

Hurt? She’d gotten a head rush from the rapid change in position, but—Oh. She realized why he’d asked. “I’m fine. It’s these shoes.” Hanging onto him, she raised a foot, letting him see the five-inch heel. Or try to see anyway. It was fairly dark.

“It’s a miracle you can walk in those things. How the hell were you running?”

Waving away the question, Langley posed one of her own. “Are there really SEALs rescuing Sarah?”

“Yes, I promise. Griff’s there, too. He can take care of a gunshot wound if he needs to.”

She felt the blood run out of her face and turned to look toward the house. Griff was a medic for a Special Forces team. He no doubt had experience with bullet wounds.

“If you try to head back to that house,” Ryder said, voice low and dangerous, “I will throw you over my shoulder again and keep you there until I know everything is finished.”

“I’m not planning to return to the house.” With the rough terrain and her heels, she’d never make it anyway.

“Bullshit.”

Ryder didn’t say anything else, and while he was looking at her, his attention was elsewhere.Something caught her eye, and leaning forward, Langley spotted the earpiece he wore. Someone was probably speaking with him.

While he was occupied, she took in her surroundings the best she could. He’d crossed the road from the driveway and deposited her on the turf side of an Explorer. Another SUV was parked in front of them.

She felt wired, and if she was wearing more comfortable footwear, she’d be pacing to work off some of her nervous energy.

As soon as his focus returned to her, she asked, “To whom were you speaking?” She lightly tapped her ear with two fingers to cue him in on why she’d asked. “Did he say how Sarah was?”

“That was Bryce and no, he didn’t mention Sarah. The only one who might know something is Griff, since he stayed behind to let them know I have you.”

She nodded. “Okay, but shouldn’t Jonah have contacted you to tell us the SEALs have Sarah safe by now?”

“You realize you’re the only person who can get away with calling Griff by his first name?”

Langley frowned. “Answer my question.”

“You’ve been spoiled by knowing Army Special Forces.” Ryder’s voice said he was teasing her. “These are Navy guys. Give them more time to get the job done.”

Although he was trying to lighten her mood, Langley couldn’t smile. “Not funny. Not when Sarah might have been shot.”

“Relax. Adrenaline is skewing your perception of time.”

Perhaps it was, but the house was nearly a mile from the road—she’d watched the odometer as she’d driven the route earlier that day—and Ryder had run that distance with her over his shoulder. “If I were to guess that about eight minutes had passed since you began jogging down the drive, how far off would I be?”

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