Page 68 of Claimed
What I need is …
The first click sounds. Stopping, I adjust my grip and start back the other way. The second click is at the very end of the rotation and I almost miss it.
My stomach squirms.
I lean back, shake out the tension in my arms and move back into position. My fingers close over the dial.
A harsh grip wrenches my head back and I sprawl against thick legs. I look up. The man towers over me, a heavy beard darkening his chin. He flexes his hand and his nails lengthen.
I drop my weight and roll. He releases me, but not without taking quite a few strands of my hair. Scalp smarting, I pull one dagger and throw. The blade buries itself into his stomach and his eyes bug.
He drops to his knees.
My thumb finds the com. “We got company,” I hiss, picking up my discarded stethoscope.
“Out, Onyx.” The command is harsh.
But I’m already shaking my head. “I got one damn number left, Ruin. He’s down. There may be more.” I drop to one knee, press the diaphragm back into place and turn. My breath saws from my lungs.
There is a soft click and I pull back, turning the handle.
The door creaks open and every squeal sends my heart thundering. I reach inside, riffling for the cases. Stacks of cash and several velvet bags of assorted gems are all that is inside.
“No,” I plead. “No.” My hands search frantically as my eyes try to keep up.
But the cases aren’t here.
There is a soft creak behind me and I whirl.
A heavy boot careens into my face, sending me spinning onto the floor. Stars fight with darkness over the supremacy of my vision. Pain arcs from my jaw to my temple and back.
I try to rise, shaking my head to clear it. Nausea flares with sickening clarity and my head grates alarmingly. Oh god. I taste bile and will myself not to vomit.
Strong fingers grab my hair and I cry out as I’m hauled to my feet. The sound chokes off fast as a meaty hand wraps around my throat.
I gasp.
The man stares down at me, his face devoid of emotion. Of life. He squeezes and the darkness creeps closer. I beat at his arms.
“Who are you?” he demands.
But I can’t speak.
Can’t breathe.
My lungs scream, desperate for air. He shakes me and my head jerks back and forth.
“Who the fuck are you?” He slams his other hand across my face. Searing pain explodes on my cheek.
He grunts and drops me. I crumble to the floor, sucking in deep painful breaths.
A moonlight and midnight blur spins, catching the man in the side of the head with a steel toe boot. He crashes into the wall.
Ruin rushes toward me as Tanner crowds the doorframe. He gingerly touches my face. I flinch. His dark eyes glow like small suns. “I told you to get out,” he growls.
“Let’s get out of here first and then chew her ass,” Tanner calls angrily.
Ruin lifts me easily, his bulk solid against my side.
