LITMIR.BIZ

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bam— Iceman fired off two quick shots, flames shooting out of the muzzle like a warning flare.

      Dillon grunted and fell to the ground. His body jerked, then lay still.

      Ashley’s nails bit into the backs of her tied fists. She silently urged Dillon to move, to run, but he lay facedown on the ground—stunned, or worse.

      The gunman stalked toward him.

      Ashley frantically looked around. There had to be something she could use as a weapon. But even though the icy rain was still dripping through the heavy canopy overhead, and the wind clacked the branches against each other, there wasn’t even a large twig on the ground anywhere within reach.

      Thunder sounded. Lightning lit up the clearing, illuminating Dillon. He still wasn’t moving.

      Oh, dear God, no.

      Ashley jumped to her feet. If nothing else, she could swing her tied fists at the gunman and try to knock his gun out of his hand before he could shoot Dillon again. She charged forward.

      The gunman stopped beside Dillon and raised his gun.

      Ashley pulled her tied hands back like a bat to swing at him. Dillon suddenly jerked to the side and kicked Iceman’s legs, knocking him to the ground. Ashley yelped and scrambled out of the way. The two men grappled with each other, locked in combat.

      The storm was getting worse. Sheets of rain pelted them through the gaps in the trees. Ashley shoved her wet hair out of her face. Lightning cracked overhead in short bursts, a strobe light revealing the men’s movements every few seconds, like a projector showing every other frame in a movie.

      They rolled back and forth, grunting, twisting as they each strained for the advantage over the other. One of them got his arm free and swung his fist with massive force against the other man’s jaw. A loud crack echoed in the clearing. His opponent screamed and fell to the side, clutching his face, shaking his head as if in a daze.

      The victor climbed to his feet. Moonlight glinted off the gun in his hand.

      Ashley pressed her hand to her throat. Who was lying on the ground? And who was holding the gun? Lightning flashed again, revealing the face of the man who was standing. Ashley’s shoulders slumped with relief.

      “I’m Detective Dillon Gray. You’re under arrest,” he gasped between deep breaths. His chest heaved from exertion, but the gun never wavered in his grip. “What’s your name?”

      The other man shook his head again, as if trying to get his bearings. He rubbed his jaw and glared up at Dillon while climbing to his feet. He staggered at first and then straightened to his full height, several inches taller than Dillon.

      Thunder boomed, startling Ashley, but Dillon didn’t even flinch.

      “Your name,” he demanded again, but the other man remained mute.

      “Miss Parrish,” Dillon said. “Get behind me. Make a wide berth around this gentleman, please.”

      Staying well away from her abductor, she hurried to the other side of the clearing. Iceman’s head swiveled, following her every move, like the sights on a rifle. She thanked God it was too dark for her to see the look in those creepy dead eyes. She stopped beside Dillon, but he shoved her behind him.

      “Facedown, on the ground,” he ordered the other man.

      Ashley peeked around Dillon’s broad shoulders. Her abductor wasn’t cooperating. Instead of getting down, he braced his feet wide apart.

      “Ah, hell,” Dillon said.

      Ashley clutched the back of his shirt. “Can’t you just...shoot him?”

      “I’d certainly like to, but my boss frowns on shooting unarmed civilians.”

      Iceman grinned, his teeth flashing in the moonlight like a wolf baring its fangs.

      “That doesn’t mean I won’t,” Dillon warned him. “If you take a single step, I’ll shoot. I’m too exhausted for another boxing round and I’m freezing. Not to mention I have a civilian to protect. I will shoot if you force my hand. Get down on the ground. Now.”

      The man’s grin faded. Ashley couldn’t see well enough to identify the expression on his face, but judging by the way his shoulders stiffened, she’d bet he was considering charging the detective. If she had a gun, she wouldn’t wait for the bad guy to make a decision. She’d shoot, right now. This man had already attacked both of them. If he got another chance, she had no doubt he’d do it again.

      “Who are you?” Dillon repeated. “Why are you after Miss Parrish?”

      “He said he needed me alive,” Ashley said.

      Dillon digested that for a moment. “Have you ever fired a gun?”

      “Me?” she squeaked.

      He sighed. “I guess that’s a no. There’s no safety. All you do is point and squeeze. I want you to point my gun directly at our guest while I handcuff him. If he moves, squeeze the trigger. Can you do that?”

      “I’d have no trouble shooting this jerk. He stole my shoes,” she said.

      His mouth twitched, as if he was trying not to laugh. “If I didn’t have to keep this gun trained on this fellow I’d cut those laces with my pocketknife. But I don’t want to risk cutting you. Hold your hands up and I’ll untie them.”

      She held her clasped hands on his left side while he kept his gun trained on the quiet, deadly stranger with his right hand.

      He plucked at the laces, mostly by feel, and soon they were loose enough so she could unclasp her hands.

      “I can get it the rest of the way.” She worked the laces free and dropped them to the forest floor. Rubbing her aching wrists, she glared at the man responsible. Her glare was probably wasted since it was so dark, but it made her feel better.

      “Okay, I’m ready,” she said.

      Dillon kept his gun trained on the other man while he pulled out a set of handcuffs from a holder on his belt.

      “Mister, I strongly suggest you cooperate. If you lie still while I put the cuffs on, you won’t get shot. But if you try anything, Miss Parrish seems quite anxious to repay you for her ill use tonight.”

      The man hesitated, then got down on his knees and lowered himself to the ground. He lay with his head to the side, watching both of them as he put his arms behind his back.

      Dillon cursed softly beneath his breath.

      “What’s wrong?” Ashley whispered.

      “That was way too easy.”

      “You think he’s planning something?”

      “I think he plans to fight me again. He’s assuming you won’t shoot.”

      “But I will. I promise.”

      His mouth twitched again. “Actually, I’d prefer you don’t, since you’ve never fired a gun before,” he whispered. “I don’t want to get shot again. I’m already a walking bruise. We’ll bluff, but don’t shoot unless your own life is in danger. I repeat, do not shoot when I’m anywhere near him.” He handed her the gun, keeping it pointed at the other man.

      She tightened her fingers around the grip. It was heavier than she’d expected. Her hands dipped beneath the weight. He grabbed her wrists and steadied the gun.

      “Like this.” He adjusted her hold, making the gun more balanced. She nodded to let him know she had it this time.

      “Only shoot as a last resort,” he whispered again. “To save yourself.”

      “All right,” she assured him. But she had no intention of doing nothing if Iceman tried something. If it came down to it, she would shoot, but she didn’t tell Dillon that. He seemed too worried she’d shoot him. It was a bit insulting, really. How hard could it be

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