Page 9 of Traitorous Lies
Luckily, they were in his vehicle, so he was armed. Taking a weapon into the party had been impossible because guards with metal detector wands were at the front door, but he’d left them in his vehicle just in case. Not that he’d been expecting trouble, but it seemed that someone didn't like that he’d managed to get to Monique.
Further proof if they’d needed any that her father was the final rapist they were looking for.
His pretty passenger didn’t answer, so he twisted in his seat to see her hanging limply against her seatbelt.
As much as he wanted to pull her free, check every inch of her body for injuries, and tend to them, the only time he could spare right now was to reach out and press his fingertips to her neck.
It wasn't until he felt the pulse bumping against them that Jax realized how scared he’d been that she’d been killed in the crash. Whatever this strange connection was that seemed to have sprung to life the second their eyes met, it wasn't something they would get the chance to explore.
Unfortunately.
“Sorry, princess, for bringing this mess right to you,” he said softly as he unsnapped his seatbelt and dropped to his feet right in front of Monique, since the car had landed on its side, with her closest to the ground, when it rolled down the side of a short hill.
Already above him, Jax heard people approaching. It would be fun to pretend that they were just other motorists there to help, but that would be a stupid assumption to make.
Only one car had been on the road with them and that was the car that had run them right off the road. Deliberately, no way to imagine otherwise. It had hit them twice with enough force to make him lose control.
Now those men were coming to get them.
No doubt killing him was the plan. Samson Kerr didn't really have achoice now that it was obvious they knew his name. Surely the man couldn’t be so cold-hearted as to have his daughter murdered, so Jax had to hope that these people were going to take Monique to a hospital. They could pretend to be heroes who had found the Kerr princess alive in her wrecked car and saved her. Monique would likely tell everyone when she woke up that the accident had been intentional, but she’d have a concussion and would be easily discredited.
That was the second-best scenario as far as he was concerned. The best would be both of them walking out of this alive.
Knowing he was weak and off his game, instead of opening fire on the approaching men, Jax instead reached up and opened his window. The engine was still running, and miraculously, whatever damage had been done, the window system was still working. Then he unsnapped Monique’s seatbelt and gathered her into his arms.
She didn't stir, and his fear for her rocketed up several notches.
Alive.
At least she’s alive.
For now, that would have to be enough.
Draping Monique’s unresponsive body over the side of the car, Jax then boosted himself up and over, jumping down to the ground beneath. Snatching Monique back up, he hurried to the closest trees.
A searchlight bounced through the trees, and he could hear voices as the men got closer. Staying in the car would have been signing his death warrant, as that would be where they were expecting to find him, this at least bought him a little time. It was no guarantee that he’d live to see the sunrise. There were at least two other men since he could hear talking, but possibly more. He was injured and a little shaky on his feet, and while he’d kill as many of them as he could, that was all he could do.
The second he fired that first shot, he’d give away his location and they’d return fire, because it was absolutely too much to hope that they weren't armed.
Their boss had realized the second he made contact with Monique, and it was clear somebody had been watching her at the party and reported back to her father that she’d left with him, that the game was over. They had his name, and with the entire might of Prey Securitybehind them, they would make sure that Samson Kerr paid for his crimes.
Jax was just thankful that the entire rest of his family was sequestered away on Delta Team’s remote property. Nobody outside Delta Team other than Eagle Oswald himself knew where the property was located. They’d all been blindfolded as soon as they stepped onto the plane, and those blindfolds were not removed until they were on the property. The relief of knowing no one could get to his family, that even if Samson Kerr had him killed, his brothers would still get justice for their parents, had him breathing easier as he propped Monique up against a tree trunk and got into position.
The light got closer, and the men’s voices louder. Listening carefully, he was able to distinguish six distinct voices.
Not great odds.
If he hadn't been injured, Jax was sure he could take them all out without receiving a scratch, but as it was, it was taking half of his energy just to remain awake and on his feet. He’d be lucky if he were able to shoot straight and kill the first man with one shot without that shot going wide.
Forcing every atom of his body to focus on the task at hand, reminding himself of the consequences of failing, Jax let out a breath, shoved the pain away, and lifted his weapon, aiming it at the man who was tentatively approaching the wrecked vehicle.
At least the men were smart enough to know he was a threat. Every other team that had been sent after his family had been decimated, and Jax hoped he wasn't about to ruin that streak.
Monique needs you.
Those words whispering through his mind helped to steady him further, and the grogginess and pain of the head injury faded a little more. His hands stopped shaking, and he lined up ready to take the shot.
If he was quick enough, he could take out at least two, maybe even three of the men before they had a chance to react and do anything about it. Right now, he had the fact that they believed he and Monique were still in the vehicle, dead or at least incapacitated, working to his advantage.
