Too Far Gone Page 18

  “I didn’t do anything,” she wailed, mounting fear for Mike bringing real tears now.

  The limousine engine growled as the driver floored it, but he’d waited too long, the first incline was too steep. She could see the red and blue lights flashing through the windows now. There was no escape for Polzin on the two-lane road.

  In a fury, Polzin lowered the privacy screen and shouted at his driver. The police were close, but the driver clearly had orders to keep going.

  Lauren fumbled about the back seat for the gun, but it slid out of her reach. She searched frantically for another distraction. Finding the strap of her purse, she rolled it around her hand and swung it at Polzin’s head. The blow only annoyed him and he lunged for her once more.

  She scurried out of his reach. The back seat suddenly exploded inward. To Lauren’s shock Mike finished kicking the seat out of his way and launched himself into the passenger compartment. “Get back!” he shouted, lunging for Polzin.

  “There’s a gun!” she warned, scrambling as far away from the fight as the car allowed. She prayed Mike would get his hands on the weapon first.

  A loud report ripped through the air, followed quickly by a second gunshot. Polzin bellowed what were surely dire threats and curses in Russian. From the floorboards, she watched the blood ooze between Polzin’s fingers as he grabbed for his thigh just above the knee. Based on the sudden swearing from the front seat, the second bullet must’ve hit the driver. The car jerked toward the dangerous edge of the road and Mike pitched himself across Polzin and the divider and into the front seat.

  Lauren held her breath, listening to the enraged voices as Mike fought the driver. She prayed they weren’t about to go careening off the road and into the canyon. The car didn’t tip or tumble, but it kept rolling forward. She rushed for the door on hands and knees, ready to get out the instant the car stopped. A brutal grip seized her ankle.

  “Not so fast,” Polzin said. “You are mine.”

  She kicked at his face as he tugged her closer, her hands clutching for anything she could use as a weapon. Her fingertips caught in her purse strap and she brought it along as Polzin fought to subdue her.

  She refused to go down easy, refused to let him off without a few scars to take with him. For Vanya, she thought, fighting to get the purse strap over his head. For every woman they were too late to save, she would fill Polzin with regrets. He dodged her attempts to gain an advantage. She would not give up. She fought harder, grabbing at the ends of the bastard’s tie.

  For Mike, she thought, who might be killed before she could tell him how much she loved every pushy, ripped, treasured facet of him.

  “Pull over,” Mike ordered, pressing the barrel of Polzin’s gun against the driver’s temple.

  The driver swerved into the oncoming lane. Mike swore. It would be bad enough to fail, worse if that failure included death for him or Lauren, but the last thing this case needed was collateral damage. He reached out and yanked the wheel, keeping them closer to the correct lane. “Pull over or I’ll shoot.”

  “Again?” The driver gave Mike a nasty grimace. “Go ahead and shoot. I answer only to Polzin.”

  Apparently the driver didn’t care that he’d be answering to the devil soon if he didn’t pull over. Mike heard Lauren struggling with Polzin in the back of the long car. He wanted to take a shot at the bastard but the risk to Lauren was too great. They were all dead if the driver had his way and took them over the cliff’s edge.

  Through the windshield there was only sky and sunshine. The incongruity of a violent death on such a clear December day burned through him. He was trained to overcome anyone in any situation. He damned sure wasn’t going to die at the bottom of a cliff courtesy of an insanely loyal driver. No way. Factor in Lauren’s safety and his temper hit an all-new high. He’d just found the woman—the right woman—and he wasn’t about to let these misogynistic human trafficking scumbags decide their fate.

  The driver’s jacket was soaked with blood from the bullet Mike had buried in his shoulder, but he drove as though it was nothing more than a mosquito bite.

  “Brake!” Mike shouted. They were going into the curve too fast. The jerk accelerated. Left with no choice, Mike slammed the butt of the weapon into the driver’s temple once, twice, then a third time. Unconscious, the man slumped over the wheel. The stubborn bastard was heavy as hell, but Mike shoved the man’s foot off the gas and rammed his own against the brake, bringing the car to a stop on the right side of the road. Sirens blared and lights flashed, turning the limousine into a bad disco set as law enforcement surrounded them. Mike rammed the gearshift into park, set the gun aside, and raised his hands.

  The vehicle rocked on the axles as Lauren continued her fight in the back. Mike turned, ready to kill Polzin with his bare hands for merely looking at her, but he did a double take as he surveyed the scene. Lauren wasn’t in jeopardy. In fact, if someone didn’t intervene quickly, Polzin would be headed for the morgue rather than a prison cell. She had Polzin pinned down with her sexy body and had wrapped the end of his tie around one hand, using the knot to cut off his oxygen. His face was already mottled, his eyes wide with panic.

  “Lauren, honey,” Mike said quietly. “The police are here.”

  “I. Am. Not. Done.” She punctuated each word with a squeeze of the tie around Polzin’s throat.

  The mobster’s fingers scratched at the vise around his neck, doing more damage to his skin than the fine silk.

  “We’ve got everything we need on him,” Mike reminded her. “He won’t escape.”

  “He killed Vanya.” She squeezed again. “Killed Desmond. He would’ve killed you.”

  “I’m right here,” Mike said. “Look at me, honey.” She did, her gorgeous silver eyes full of grief and fury. “I’m fine and so are you.”

  She blinked rapidly and he watched her face transform as she realized what she was doing. “Oh!” She scooted off Polzin, over the seat, and straight into Mike’s arms. “I was going to—” She clapped a hand over her mouth.

  Mike gathered her close, her body trembling like a leaf in a storm. “You’re going to breathe.” And he was going to take his own advice and do the same.

  “I could’ve killed him. Would have.” Her breath shuddered in and out. “Happily.”

  “Who could blame you? Just breathe.”

  She buried her face in his shoulder and he felt her sucking in big gulps of air.

  “You’re okay.” She leaned back, her hands fluttering over his face and shoulders. “You saved us!”

  “I’m fine,” he repeated. “You were doing a pretty good job of saving yourself.”

  She pushed her hair out of her face. “I wanted to kill him,” she whispered, her voice quiet. “For you.”

  Since he’d left the Navy he couldn’t think of anyone who’d cared that much about him. “It’s over now. The police can take it from here.” He stroked a thumb across her cheekbone, and then examined her hands. Other than a swollen cheek and a couple of minor scratches, she seemed fine. “He didn’t hurt you?”

  “No.”

  “Thank God.” He rubbed a hand up and down her spine, soothing them both. He’d never been more scared than when they’d tossed him into the trunk. “Just keep breathing while we talk to the police.”

  The responding officers dragged Polzin and his driver out of the long car, not bothering to be gentle about their injuries. When the officers asked Mike to come out of the car, he exited on the side opposite the mobsters, giving a cursory explanation of the situation. Officer Cooper joined them, a big smile on his face.

  “Miss Woods, Mr. Stone, we can’t thank you enough for the tip on this operation. It took some convincing, but I got the Chief of Police to believe me instead of Treadwell. I came as soon as I could get here.”

  “You came,” Lauren said, “that’s what matters.”

  “You found the second car?” Mike asked.

  Cooper nodded. “We did and the men are already in custody. W
hy don’t you let the paramedics check you out?”

  “I’m good,” he insisted.

  “He could be bleeding internally,” Lauren blurted suddenly.

  Mike looked down into her worried face. “What gave you that idea?”

  “P-Polzin. He said his men knew how to do that.”

  “He’s an idiot,” Mike assured her. “I know how to take a punch.” What he couldn’t take was one more minute holding back the words he needed to give her. “Can we have a second, Cooper?”

  “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere,” the officer said, that smile still on his face as he strolled away.

  When they had a little privacy, Mike smiled down at her. “We did it.”

  “You’re the real hero,” Lauren said, gifting him with a soft kiss on the side of his mouth that wasn’t injured.

  “You’re the hero.” He cleared his throat. “You saved those women last night and Cooper might even be able to trace and rescue more now that you found Trinity’s payment and order records. He’ll probably make detective because of your help on this case.”

  She shivered, leaning close and lacing her fingers with his. “I wouldn’t have lasted a single day without you. Cooper isn’t the type to take all the credit and I’ll make sure the media gives you your due. Your dad will be proud.”

  While his dad’s respect would be nice, Mike was more concerned with how Lauren felt about him. She was already a media darling, this would only propel her to the limelight for all the right reasons. Could she possibly want to spend her personal time with a disgraced SEAL? “Is that a prelude to a goodbye monologue?”

  Her gaze drifted away from him, out over the sweeping view. “You protected me and captured an international criminal. Your job’s done. Won’t the agency assign you to another case?”

  He patted his pockets. “Hard to tell. My phone’s gone.”

  “Ha. Ha.”

  “For the record, as a damsel in distress, you excel at kicking ass.”

  She grinned. “That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  He laughed. “Allow me to rectify that immediately.” He cupped her face and lowered his mouth to hers, to hell with his busted lip. The kiss spun out, mesmerizing them both until they were breathless. “You’re beautiful, Lauren. And a capable, amazing woman.”

  “Hmm.” She smiled. “Off to a good start.”

  “But I’m not absolutely sure you’re safe yet.” Her eyes narrowed instantly. “There could be fallout,” he explained. “A misguided enforcer or two might be lurking about. I should stick around.”

  “You think so?” She frowned. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I will stick around,” he admitted, making the decision as he said the words. He’d find a way to keep her in his life. She was nothing short of a Christmas miracle and he wasn’t about to let her go. “I’m in love with you, Lauren Marie Woods, and I’m not going anywhere unless you send me away.”

  “I...” she swallowed. “What?”

  “You heard me.” He lowered his head and kissed her again. “Whatever role you play, I want to be a part of your real life. I can set up my own PI shop right here in SoCal.”

  Her eyes went soft, glistening with unshed tears. “Mike...”

  Damn. He’d jumped too soon. “Don’t say anything now.” He interrupted what he feared was a protest with another searing kiss. “Too soon, I know. Forget I said it. I’ll convince you.”

  “Mike.” She gazed up at him, and he recognized the sincerity shining in her eyes, glowing on her face. “You’ll convince me to love you?” She gave a weak laugh. “Is that an order?”

  “It could be,” he admitted with a nod. “Hopefully I’ll manage it before you ask Cooper to file a restraining order against me, but even that won’t stop me.”

  “No, I’m sure it wouldn’t.”

  That sounded remarkably like a compliment on his persistent, high-handed nature. And she didn’t look the least bit perturbed with him. Sometimes the best option was a full frontal assault. “Assuming the best outcome here, I think we should keep the wedding small.”

  “Now you’re planning a wedding?”

  “Our wedding.” He pulled her close. “A disgraced SEAL won’t rate a lot of guests.”

  “Neither does a murderous, bottom of the A-list bride.”

  “Great. Then we’ll elope. That’s easier anyway.”

  “Hmm.” Her hot, silvery eyes locked with his and her fingertips lit a fire under his skin when she traced his jaw. “How about the beach at dawn?”

  “Seriously?” That would be damn near perfect, though he’d happily exchange vows with her anywhere. The sooner the better. “You’d really marry me?”

  “Call me convinced.” Her lips curved into a sweet smile as she leaned into him. “After all, I think we’ve been through worse, we deserve a shot at better. I love you, Mike.” She kissed him softly. “I’d be honored to accept the role as Mrs. Stone.”

  “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime part,” he said, grinning down at her. “And you’re the only one who can do it. So you’re good with the traditional vows to love, honor, and obey?” He added plenty of innuendo to that last word.

  “As long as you say them, too,” she said, a wealth of mischief shining in her eyes. “I know your word is your bond.”

  “You have my word and... my heart.”

  With her tucked safely under his arm, they walked away from the scene, both of them eager to start building a lifetime of joy and happiness.

  Want to read the next Dangerous Protector’s story? Get your copy of NOTHING TO LOSE by clicking here!

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

  DEBRA WEBB wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has penned more than 100 novels including her internationally bestselling Colby Agency series. Her romantic thriller series, the Faces of Evil, propelled Debra to the top of the bestselling charts. Visit Debra at www.thefacesofevil.com or at www.debrawebb.com. Want to read more of Debra’s books? Check out all her titles by clicking here. Where suspense and romance collide!

  REGAN BLACK, a USA Today bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. Raised in the Midwest and California, she and her family, along with their adopted greyhound, two arrogant cats, and a quirky finch reside in the South Carolina Lowcountry where the rich blend of legend, romance, and history fuels her imagination. Visit Regan at www.ReganBlack.com. Want to read more of Regan’s books? Check out all her titles by clicking here. Live the adventure!