He pried his eyes open and saw Paul’s legs.
A different pain seared through him.Paul. God, Paul. They’d left him. The Taliban had broken that funny young man who’d loved quoting movie lines.
He heard Hadley and Paul talking, but he couldn’t quite make out the words. He needed air, and he needed the pain to stop before he could focus.
“Put your gun down,” Paul ordered.
“Listen—” Hadley’s voice.
“Now, or I’ll put a bullet right between his eyes.”
The sound of a scuffle.
Get up. Get up. But Bennett couldn’t move yet. He managed to turn his head and saw Paul slapping handcuffs on Hadley’s wrists
Fuck. No.
He tried to move, but the pain in his chest had nausea hitting him like a brick.
Paul was smiling, his single eye bright. “Yes, I have a much better idea on how to hurt him. I’ve tried to wreck his company, his people, spread rumors, but I think hurting you will cause him the most pain.” Paul grabbed her arm.
Hadley’s face was blank, but she watched her captor carefully.
“Let’s go!” Paul jerked her out of view.
Dammit. Bennett forced his body to move. He rolled over onto his front, almost threw up from the pain, then saw the former soldier drag Hadley out the door.
Bennett forced back the nausea and pain with sheer will. He dragged himself across the floor.
He caught a glimpse of Paul pulling Hadley down the grass-covered slope at the back of the home, toward the trees.
Pain seared through his chest. He managed to sit up, and unbuttoned the chef’s jacket. He leaned back against the wall.
Hadley could take care of herself for a bit. He tried to reassure himself. She’d wait for a chance to escape.
But sheer panic tasted metallic in his mouth.
Paul was determined to hurt Bennett. And the man had found the best way to do that.
Not happening.
Bennett touched his ear. “Kitchen. Help.” He slumped.
He heard Hex’s voice, but it was all a jumble.
He closed his eyes for a second, then he heard running footsteps.
“Fucking hell.” Killian’s voice.
Bennett opened his eyes and saw Killian crouching in front of him.
Behind the head of Sentinel Security stood Bram and Henry, and another couple. The stunning redhead looked familiar. That’s right. She’d been in Italy when Bennett had brushed up against the Sentinel Security team. The tall, intense man with her had blond-brown hair pulled up in a bun.
“Who are they?” Bennett asked.
“Friends,” Killian replied.
The pair were both clutching guns, so he hoped so. “He’s got Hadley.”