Quit fighting me, he warned, shoving the gun even harder to her temple.
His voice was raspy, apparently from the blow shed managed to deliver to his throat. That didnt give her much satisfaction. He towered over her. And he was solid. He could easily kill her with his bare hands. Of course, he wouldnt have to do something so menial since he had her gun and probably his as well.
Lets do this the right way, the man yelled across the room to Gabe. Depending on what you do, I can make this easy for her, or I can make it real slow and ugly.
Leigh didnt care much for those two choices. The man was no doubt talking about how he intended to kill her. Step out where I can see you, Agent Sanchez, he ordered.
She wasnt sure what Gabe would do. Until she heard the thud of his weapon drop to the floor. He stepped out from behind the post and walked toward them with his hands tucked behind his head.
God. He was surrendering.
Her heart started to pound harder. Shed hoped he might be able to save them or at least buy some time so she could figure out what to do. But Gabe hadnt done that. Instead, hed surrendered to a man who would probably kill them both before she drew her next breath.
Who are you working for? Gabe asked him.
No one whos willing to bargain with you.
Then how about we bargain? Before you say no, I think you should know the woman youre holding has plenty of money. Im sure we can work out some financial arrangements thatd make it profitable for you to let her go.
Save your breath, the man retorted. Ive got no plans to be a rich dead man, and thats whatll happen if I cut a deal with the likes of you.
Her gaze connected with Gabes. There was a slight lift to his right eyebrow. For the first time, she recognized something in his eyes. Exactly what, she couldnt say, but he was definitely trying to communicate.
In a move that seemed both in slow motion and at a speed not humanly possible, Gabes left hand whipped out from behind his head. He held another gun that hed hidden. Something small and sleek. The fluorescent light licked the silvery metal and sent a flash across Leighs face. Gabe aimed the gun directly at her.
She had no time to think, no time to react. She briefly, very briefly, considered that Gabe and his gun would be the last things shed ever see. But what she couldnt figure out was why he wanted her dead, especially after he had saved her.
Gabe double-tapped the trigger. The shots cracked like enormous wads of chewing gum. Leigh felt warm spatters of blood on her cheek and waited for the pain or numbness to follow what was certainly a fatal head wound.
That didnt happen.
Instead, the man behind her slumped into a heap, the pistol hed held against her temple clattering to the floor.
Her breath shattered, a noise coming from deep within her throat. Leighs hands began to shake violently. Still, she kept her attention focused on Gabe, afraid to blink for fear hed disappear before she could get to him.
Getting to him, she soon learned, wasnt even necessary. It seemed he made it to her in one step. She grabbed onto him and held tight.
Without breaking her grip, Gabe picked up the gun hed tossed on the floor and placed the smaller one into the slide holster on the back waist of his jeans. He handed Leigh the other weapon that the man had taken from her.
Theres no need for you to see that, he said, referring to the body. He led her toward the door.
He was right. There was no need for her to see the man. That didnt stop Leigh from glancing back at the lifeless body and the perfectly centered hole in his head. Gabe had literally shot the man right between the eyes. The other bullet wound was only a fraction of an inch above the first one.
She pressed her hand to her stomach, hoping she didnt get sick. Hes dead? she asked unnecessarily.
Hes dead.
You could have shot me.
Gabe slightly rearranged his expression, apparently insulted. I wouldnt have missed. Not ever.
Leigh prayed shed never have to test his accuracy again. Well, thank you. Thats twice youve saved my life.
Dont thank me yet. Were not out of danger. We have to get away from here first.
Leigh silently agreed. One man was dead, but there were at least three others who would probably be willing to do what their comrade had tried.
Gabe stopped when they reached a large metal door at the end of the room and turned to her. Here are the rules. Stay behind me at all times. I want us back to back, moving together. Got that?
Yes, I think so. Leigh hoped so anyway. She still felt woozy, and Gabes quickly spoken instructions seemed jumbled.
Rule twoyou watch our backs, and Ill take care of anything that comes from any other direction. He tipped his head to her gun. By any chance, do you remember how to use that?
She eyed the weapon as if it was a foreign object. Maybe.
Gabe repeated that, adding a soundless word of profanity. All right. If you have to shoot, hold the gun level and brace your wrist with your left hand. Thats a lot of firepower, and I dont want you dropping your weapon when you feel the recoil. Shoot to kill. Understand?