“Anybody following us?” Ellie asked, anxiety tingling up her nerves.
“No. I’ll let you know if anyone does.” He patted her hand. “Just so you know, this is an armored car, like the vans banks use to transport money. The windows are bullet-proof glass. And no one but my team knows where I live.”
“Oh. Good.” She relaxed. Hal would protect her. She was probably safer now, in his capable hands, than she’d been without a hit on her, just living a normal life alone in the city.
They arrived at his parking garage, and he pulled in. Hal scanned the garage before he got out of the car
The elevator door slid open, revealing three men holding guns.
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“Get down!” Hal shouted.
He threw himself in front of Ellie.
BANG!
Chapter Five
Hal
The impact took Hal full in the chest, knocking him backward. He yanked his gun from its holster and fired, even as a second bullet whistled past his ear. One of the hit men dropped where he stood.
Even with his armor, the impact hurt like hell. But Hal barely noticed through the red haze of adrenaline and rage.
Protect your mate! Hal’s bear roared.
Keeping his body between Ellie and the hit men, Hal fired rapidly. The second hit man’s shot went wild as he fell; Hal heard it strike concrete. An instant later, a searing pain tore through Hal’s side.
Ricochet, Hal thought. The bullet must have bounced up and gone under his vest.
But he had no time to worry about himself. So long as he protected his mate, nothing else mattered.
Hal and the last hit man fired simultaneously. Another brutal impact slammed into Hal’s chest. And the last hit man dropped, his gun falling from his hand.
Hal didn’t need to check to make sure the enemies were dead; while they’d taken the easier center-of-mass shots, he’d aimed at their unprotected heads.
In the blink of an eye it took him to spin around and look for Ellie, Hal died a thousand deaths. If he’d been too slow— If he’d failed— if his mate was dead—
Ellie was alive and breathing, frightened but unhurt.
“Hal!” Ellie gasped. “Were you hit?”
He didn’t have time for that. “Hold on.”
Hal scanned the parking lot again. Nothing. It was clear.
“Get back in the car!” Hal grabbed her arm and ran with her, keeping his body between her and the gate.
He pushed her into the passenger seat, slammed the door, and dove into the driver’s seat. Then he hit the code to open the gate, and floored it out of there.
Hal gritted his teeth, one hand clenched tight on the steering wheel and one pressed to his side. The gunshot wound burned like he’d been stabbed with a red-hot poker. Hot blood was soaking through his shirt and pants and even his heavy overcoat. Luckily the wound was in his left side. From the passenger seat, Ellie might notice that he was holding his hand to his side, but she wouldn’t be able to see the wet spot.
“Are you hurt?” Ellie demanded. “Hal, answer me!”
“No.” He couldn’t have her fussing over him while he was trying to make sure they weren’t being followed.
Fear and frustration sharpened her voice as she said, “Then why are you clutching at your side? Hal, I know you took a hit!”