Page 15 of Protecting Paige

The instant I see Paige, rage surges through my body.

She’s tied to a chair, with her arms yanked behind her and her ankles tied to each leg. Even from fifteen feet away, I can see her shaking in fear.

Wearing only sleep shorts and a T-shirt, she looks achingly vulnerable. And I’m seized by a desire stronger than anything I’ve known to rush over there and pull her into my arms. To hugher and kiss her and reassure her over and over that she’s safe. That I won’t let anyone hurt her again.

But first, the asshole pacing in front of her, ranting and waving his gun like a complete amateur. Judging from his grip and the awkward way he’s holding it, I’m not sure he could hit me if I was directly in front of him.

Not that I’ll give him a chance to do that.

His back is to me, which means Paige sees me as soon as I enter the basement.

Her eyes flicker with surprise, quickly followed by recognition.

She could give me away without meaning to, and I wouldn’t blame her if she did.

But she doesn’t. She quickly schools her expression and focuses on the man in front of her. In a quivering voice, she asks him, “Could you tell me what kind of job you want? So I know the best way to help you?”

He huffs at her. “Don’t youknow?”

With his attention on Paige, it’s time to make my move.

In this moment, I’m not civilian Cillian, owner of a small home security company. I’m Cillian McCann, Engineering Sergeant of ODA 5131, trained to disable a tango in under ten seconds.

I’ve never forgotten. It’s why I still work out every day, even though I don’t have to.

And right now, I’m damn glad of it.

On an exhale, I leap towards the man, crossing the distance between us in seconds.

I don’t need a gun for this. It’s all muscle memory from here.

Moving close to a blur, I deliver the punishing blows. Arm chop to disarm him. Leg sweep to knock him to the floor. Palm strike to his chest to knock the wind out of him. A punch to his jaw because, shit, he deserves it. And finally, I flip him overand yank his arms behind him, using the zip ties I never travel without to bind his wrists and ankles together.

Then I get right in his face and snarl, “Don’t you ever touch her again.Ever. Don’t even think about it.” My voice drops so only he can hear me as I add, “I can kill you. And I have friends who’ll help make sure your body is never found. That’s a promise.”

With him dealt with, I jump to my feet and rush over to Paige. As soon as I spot the raw, pink skin beneath the ropes binding her, a fresh surge of fury sweeps through me. But despite her pale skin and obvious fear, relief fills her eyes as she looks at me.

“Cillian?” she asks. Her chin wobbles a little. “Is it you?”

My heart twists. Squeezes. As I crouch beside her, I reply, “Yeah, Paige. It’s me.”

Her gaze meets mine. And now I know her eyes are bright blue, like a clear summer sky. A shy smile lifts her lips. “This isn’t how I pictured meeting you. But I’m so glad you’re here.”

Oh.

“Paige.” My voice goes thick. I stroke her hair, memorizing the softness of it. “I’m so glad I’m here, too.”

CHAPTER 4

PAIGE

I can’t believe he’s here.

My Cillian—here.

Like an avenging warrior, leaping into action to save me.

My thoughts are too scattered now to really appreciate it, but I know I’ll replay those memories later—Cillian emerging from the stairwell, his expression dark and dangerous, racing towards Derrick and taking him down in a flurry of moves that could have come straight from an action movie.