Page 113 of Edge of Steele
Vick spun and snorted. “Begging isn’t an attractive quality for a big bad SEAL.”
Finn swallowed down his anger at the taunt. He wanted to rush the guy. Punish him. Take him out. But he shoved his hands into his pockets instead. All rushing him would do was give him time to release the grenade.
No one wanted that to happen.
But if Finn got close enough, he could simultaneously clamp his hand over the grenade and throw two swift disabling punches. He knew the moves—had used them often enough. One to the back of Vick’s head and one to his liver. Finn would strike with lightning-fast precision. Vick wouldn’t know what hit him, and he would take a nosedive into the stone.
Problem was, Finn had to get close, and so far, Vick had been too smart to allow it.
Then outsmart him. It’s now or never!
Finn had to try some subterfuge or Vick would get away. Maybe kill someone else.
Finn pulled his right hand from his pocket, fist closed around a quarter. “You’ll want to take this with you.”
Vick’s eyebrow rose. “Take what?”
Great. He’d taken the bait.
“It’s better if I show you.” Finn held out his closed fist and started forward. If Vick were as smart as he thought, he would tell Finn to stay put, but he focused on Finn’s hand just as Finn wanted.
Perfect.
Finn quickly closed the distance.
Vick’s focus remained on Finn’s fist.
Finn flashed his free hand out to clamp the grenade. Vick startled but Finn smacked him behind the head with his closed fist. His head and upper body jerked to the side.
Vick’s hand loosened on the grenade.
Finn clamped tighter. Threw another punch to the area just below Vick’s ribcage—to his unprotected liver.
Vick cried out and plummeted to the ground. The pin went flying. His fingers released the grenade.
Finn took firm control, holding tight to the grenade so it wouldn’t detonate. Protecting him. Protecting Ryleigh. The others.
All over in five seconds or less.
Ryleigh rushed forward, dropped her phone, and flipped Vick over. The light shone up at the ceiling and reflected down. Just enough for Finn to see her put a knee to the back of the man who was writhing and moaning and trying to clutch his gut. She got out her cuffs and slapped them on his wrists behind his back.
“Got him.” She grabbed her phone, shone the light up, and grinned at Finn.
Wow. Amazing. The most joyful grin he’d seen to warm his heart. Well, maybe it equaled the one from Avery before she’d kissed his cheek. His heart was full. Complete. More love than he could ever imagine he would experience.
Another rush of adrenaline flooded his body. Right. Forget the love for now. He still had a job to do. Secure the grenade so they could get out of there. “I need to find the pin.”
“Yeah.” She let out a shuddering breath and picked up her phone. She focused the light in the direction the pin had gone flying.
Finn got down on his knees. Swept his free hand over the rough floor. His finger felt the cold metal butted up to a boulder. He picked it up and slid it into place. Safe. They were safe.
He let out a long breath.
Thank You!
He pocketed the grenade and went back to Ryleigh. Tears flowed from her eyes and down her cheeks.
Vick continued to writhe in pain and didn’t seem as if he even noticed they were in the room.
