Page 36 of The Maverick

Reggie parked around the block from Rachel’s house.

Four of Nick’s security team were already in position. He pointed to three of the men. “I want you to go around back. Reggie, John, and I will hit the front. Do whatever you have to do to assure Rachel’s safety.”

“Yes, sir,” the men replied.

The three heading to the back took off.

Nick’s stomach was doing flips and his pulse raced. He turned to face Reggie and John. “I’m going in first. I’m not giving him time to think. That door isn’t very strong, and I should be able to break it down. I want you two at the windows to make sure he doesn’t decide to shoot her. If you see him, if he so much as raises his gun toward her, take him out.”

Reggie put his left hand on Nick’s shoulder. “She’ll be okay. We’ll see to it.”

Nick’s gut continued to churn. He couldn’t lose her, not when he’d just found her again. “If she’s not, I’ll?—”

“Nick. She’ll be okay. You can’t think of this in any other way.”

Taking a deep breath, Nick nodded. “Let’s just do this.”

John, a man who looked a lot like a fire hydrant, short and built like a tank, pointed. “I’ll take the left.”

Reggie nodded. “I’m right.”

They stuck close to the trees at the edges of the yard. The home was in an older neighborhood with numerous oak and elm trees, which would mean lots of cleanup in the fall, but which Nick was grateful for now.

When they were next to the house, they separated.

Nick stood in front of the door, then he eased his Glock from his waistband with his right hand and lifted his left hand, while he counted down with his fingers. When the time came, he lowered his shoulder and rammed the door near the lock.

The lock didn’t hold, and the jamb splintered as the door banged open.

Nick barreled into the room; gun drawn.

Rachel screamed from one of the rooms above.

Fear gripped him as he bounded up the stairs, his long legs letting him take three at a time.

He’d reached the last room, and the house was quiet.Too quiet. Nick eased the door open and dropped to his knees.

A gunshot sounded as it whizzed by his head.

Rachel screamed. “Nick!”

If he’d remained standing, the shot would have hit him. He aimed his weapon at Bennett, who stood next to the bed, and fired before the man had a chance to figure out what happened.

Greg dropped the gun and then slid to his knees. By the time he hit the floor the light had left his eyes.

Nick rushed over to Rachel as he put his Glock in the back of his waistband. He saw the bruises forming on her face and cringed. She was tied to the bed with what looked like strips from a dishtowel. He quickly untied her.

She flung herself into his arms. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t find me in time. He was about to kill me. Oh, God, Nick.” She pulled back and looked up. “Jake?—”

“He’s fine. Sarah is watching the kids. They are safe.”

Rachel buried her face against him again.

He simply held her, letting her cry. She’d been in a horrible situation and now, she was crashing. All the adrenalin leaving her weak and tired. He knew this but couldn’t help but wish she would always turn to him. He wanted so much to ask her to join her life to his, but now wasn’t the time. Now was about Rachel and assuring her she was safe.

Nick kissed the top of her head. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here. You’re never coming back here, Rachel. I’ll send people to gather all your things and bring them to the ranch. You’ll stay there until you decide what to do. No hurry.”You’d stay there forever, if I had my way.

She nodded against his chest.