Rebecca Zanetti - Under the Covers

Quinn took a deep breath to keep from running full bore toward the cabin. “Hawk, we’ve never talked about—”

“I’m a sniper. The best.” Hawk’s odd-colored green eyes darkened.

That’s what Quinn had figured. “Okay. Take the northern ridge.”

Jake shoved his way past the bushes, a wicked knife in his hand. “I took this off the guy patrolling to the east.”

“Is he dead?” Quinn asked calmly.

“No. Out cold.” Jake tucked the knife at his waist. “I sent Sophie back to town, although she wanted to stay and help.”

The little blonde had seen Juliet kidnapped and had followed in her car, calling the guys on her cell phone. Quinn’s gut swirled. “Thank God we were working on the northern pastures.”

Hawk tilted his head. “I’m heading to the ridge. Give me five.” He loped over to the tethered horse and yanked the shotgun free. With a grim look at Colton, he broke into a jog and disappeared from sight.

Quinn peered around the tree at the quiet cabin. A heated ball of dread slammed him. Was Juliet all right? What if they’d hurt her? His legs trembled with the need to storm the cabin.

Jake grabbed his arm. “Give Hawk a moment to get into position.”

Quinn grunted. “She thinks I’m still mad at her.”

“You are.” Colton removed his jacket.

“Doesn’t mean I don’t still love her.” Sure, he’d been a complete asshole and should’ve worked things out after he fucked her by the side of the road. But he was a stubborn bastard, and his anger had kept him silent. If anything happened to her, he might as well shrivel up and die.

“Get it together, Sheriff.” Jake’s eyes darkened with concern and anger. He cared about Juliet, too.

Drawing on years of experience, Quinn shoved emotion out of the way. Cold, methodical, he came up with the plan to save the woman he loved. It was risky, and chances were somebody would be shot, but it was all they had.

“Let’s go,” he said grimly.

…

Juliet eyed the man who wanted to harm her. Her mind buzzed, but her shoulders relaxed. Maybe this was what shock felt like.

Luis twirled the knife. “The good news is that I’m not going to kill you right now. The bad news is that you’re coming with us, and I’m going to take my time with you tonight.” His eyes lightened to a creepy leer.

Juliet lifted her chin regally. The longer she stayed alive, the better the chance of escape. “Sounds like a lovely plan.”

The window shattered, and a large mass crashed through the blanket. Quinn! The door banged off its hinges a second later, and Jake slid into the room followed by Colton.

Luis pivoted and shot toward the window.

Juliet screamed.

Quinn rolled into a somersault and cut Luis off at the knees, knocking him down. The gun spun across the floor. The men grappled, their punches landing hard.

Jake grabbed Freddy and shoved him face-first into the wall.

Colton viewed the bedroom and bathroom. “Clear,” he said.

Blood flowed from a wound in Quinn’s right shoulder. Luis shoved his knuckles in the injury.

Quinn hissed and elbowed Luis in the nose, following up with a cracking uppercut.

The drug dealer shook his head, snot and blood pouring from his nose. He punched Quinn hard in the wound.

The sheriff grunted, his face paling. His damaged arm hung limp by his side.

Luis smiled through bloody teeth and yanked back his fist.

Quinn dropped his head forward in a classic headbutt. Luis’s nose broke with a terrible snap. He howled in pain. He grabbed Quinn’s arms and fell onto the floor, throwing the sheriff over his head.

Quinn landed with a muffled curse.

Juliet’s gaze darted to Jake and Colton, where they calmly watched the fight. What the hell was wrong with them?

Quinn rolled to his feet and came down hard on Luis, banging the man’s head on the floor. With a grim smile, the sheriff flipped Luis onto his stomach, straddled and cuffed him.

“Are you all right?” Quinn turned toward her, his eyes hard and assessing.

She nodded, unable to speak. Tears swelled and blurred the room.

Quinn yanked Luis to stand and pushed him toward Colton. “Secure them in the back of the gray truck.”

Luis chuckled through a split lip. “I have men around the perimeter, Sheriff. Let me go or we’re all dead.”

“I found your men.” Quinn wiped blood off his forehead. “My sniper is in place in case we missed anyone. I’ll bet my sniper against your guys any day.”

Luis spit blood and a couple of teeth onto the floor.

Colton grabbed him and shoved him outside. Jake pulled Freddy away from the wall and smashed him back into it. “Oops,” Jake said, grinning and tugging again. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go outside.” They disappeared into the cold.

Quinn reached her in two strides. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Yes,” she said between hiccups.

“Take it easy, sweetheart.” He tugged a knife from his boot and cut the tie holding her hands. Then he growled at her scratched skin, rubbing gently.

“I’m fine,” she said, standing. Her knees gave out.

He eased her back into the chair. “Take a couple of deep breaths. The adrenaline is kicking in now.” Big, gentle hands massaged her legs and then her shoulders. “You’re fine, Juliet. Deep breaths.”

She nodded and inhaled, exhaling slowly. “How did you get here?”

“Sophie saw Freddy take you.” Quinn dropped to his haunches. “I almost had a heart attack when she called. We were just a couple miles away working on a downed fence and headed right here.”

She sniffed. “I’m glad you did.” Her eyes widened at the blood coursing down his arm. “Oh, God. He shot you.”

Quinn frowned and ripped his shirt over his head. A deep, red gash welled on his upper arm. “The bullet scratched me. No biggie.” He wrapped his shirt around the wound and pulled tight.

Sirens sounded in the distance. He grimaced. “I’m sorry about last night. I was a jerk who couldn’t figure out what to say.”

She blinked through tears. The man had just saved her life after she got him shot, and he was apologizing. “This is my fault.” The sirens got closer.

He stood and assisted her up. “We called for backup.” Not that Quinn needed backup.

Juliet squared her shoulders and slid her feet along the wooden floor. Her knees still wobbled. “I’m sorry about all of this.”

He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “I know. We’ll figure it out, Juliet. I promise.”

When they reached the doorway, she peered outside. “Um, do you really have a sniper somewhere?”

“Hawk was with us fixing fences.” Quinn gave some weird military sign. “Don’t worry. He rarely shoots the wrong person.” A grin quirked the sheriff’s lip.

“Very funny.” She gingerly stepped onto the muddy walkway. Red-and-blue lights swirled as deputies gathered several cuffed men into police vehicles.

A black SUV screeched to a stop, and Reese Johnson jumped out. “Is she all right?”

“Yes,” Quinn said, helping her along the rough trail to a police vehicle. “Did you get the drug runners?”

Reese grinned. “Yep. We caught one with a shitload of cash and another one with a truck full of drugs.” He nodded at Juliet. “I’ve gotten the okay to offer you full immunity for everything if you testify as to what you witnessed today.”

Jake shoved away from a police car. “While my client doesn’t need immunity because she hasn’t broken any laws, we would still like the offer in writing from the federal prosecutor.”

“Sheriff Lodge? Over here.” A camera light flicked, and a man with a microphone stepped closer. “What happened here?”

Quinn growled and moved toward the reporter.

“Stop.” Jake grabbed his arm and hitched him back. He opened the back door of a cruiser and reached for Juliet’s hand. “Get in.” Juliet scooted over, and Quinn dropped next to her.

Jake smiled. “I’ll meet you two at the hospital.”

Quinn moved to get out of the car. “I want the reporter out of here.”

Jake leaned in. “I called him, dumbass. Trust me.” After shoving his brother, he slammed the door.

A deputy slid behind the wheel. “To the hospital we go, Sheriff.”

Juliet leaned her head against the chilly wall and tried to get comfortable on the plastic orange chair. Even in quaint Maverick, the hospital smelled like bleach, antiseptic, and despair.

The doctors had rushed Quinn into a room upon their arrival, and a petite but rather forceful nurse had directed Juliet to the waiting area. In the corner, a television played an old sitcom.

Her stomach hurt. She closed her eyes, allowing peace to wash over her. Everybody was safe, and the bad guys had gotten what they deserved.

What about her? What did she deserve? She sat up as Quinn’s mother hustled into the room.

Loni Freeze gathered her into a vanilla-scented hug. “Oh my goodness. You worried me.” She patted Juliet’s back, offering maternal comfort.

Tears welled in Juliet’s eyes. She leaned away and blinked. “I’m fine, but Luis shot Quinn.”

“I poked my head in the examination room. Quinn is barking orders at the poor doctor.” Loni shook her head, sending her gray braid flying. “That boy. I don’t know where he gets such a temper.”

Tom Freeze, Loni’s husband, rushed into the room with Dawn. “I know exactly where he gets his spirit.” He dropped a kiss on Juliet’s head. “I’m glad you’re all right, sweetie.” Then he sat and slipped his hand over Loni’s.

As a pair, they fit. Tall with gray hair and deep blue eyes, Quinn’s stepfather contrasted with Loni’s black eyes and sharp features.