Chapter 46

46

This wasn’t like a damned television show, where they just let the bad guy give his monologue and everything worked out okay in the end. Gene knew that. And his father had always told him to use his head, no matter what. His head felt like it was going to explode off his shoulders, but there would be time for that later.

After.

After he had the woman he loved safe. And when he did, he was taking her to his ranch and keeping her there forever. Keeping her as safe as he possibly could. Forever.

Gene tensed when the man took a step closer to Chantal.

This wasn’t about them . It was about whatever beef he had had for Charlie for years.

Gene and Chantal were just caught in the middle of it. It wasn’t anything they had done.

Just like…

Fifteen years ago.

When Greer had gotten caught between their father and that Chase bastard and his friend. Those assholes had gone after his little sisters not because of anything anyone had done, but because they were lashing out in anger.

Just like the man in front of him.

It wasn’t Gene’s fault what had happened to Greer back then. Nor was it Chantal’s what had happened now, between this bastard and Charlie.

Hell of a time for him to finally realize the truth—to forgive himself.

But Gene was a man who had everything to live for now.

He pulled Chantal even further behind him.

As Detective Wright moved closer.

“I’m not going to let you hurt her, you bastard. You can shoot me, but it’ll bring every cop in the diner running. I saw at least four of Charlie’s teammates in there right now. Lake, MacNamara, Rodriguez, Naylor—they are all in there right now. And they won’t let you get away.”

“You think they would let me get away anyway? Soon as Fields puts it together that those dumbasses who took her are Candy’s brothers, and I am Candy’s brother—I’m going away. I’m not stupid.” He paused for a long moment, actually gave almost a half-sob. “I am a man with nothing to lose, Hiller. Nothing to lose. I am a desperate man.”

Well, Gene did have someone to lose. And he would never let that happen.

Wright got closer. Just as Chantal kicked out and kneed the man right in the crotch.

Gene couldn’t stop him, not with the damned gun pointed right at Chantal. But he could protect her. Gene wrapped himself around her and took her to the ground, yelling for help as loudly as he could. He turned. To face the threat.

Detective Wright was doubled over.

It was all the opening Gene needed. He struck out.

Just as the gun discharged.

And fire sliced right through his arm.

Gene just kept fighting.