Ow, dammit.
Her hold loosened and he tried to turn. They whirled and hit a tree. He was stronger than he looked.
“Bitch. You bitch.”
Another ungainly turn, and they tripped and fell on the ground.
It was muddy and covered in rotting leaves. They rolled again, both of them fighting for control.
Hadley used all her strength to try and choke him.
His next elbow hit her in the gut, slamming into her vest, but she still felt the power behind it.
He grabbed her thigh through her dress and squeezed hard.
She hissed. God, it hurt. She scissored her legs.
But she knew he was too strong. She couldn’t hold him off much longer.
Bennett. Her thoughts turned to him.
Then she saw him burst out of the trees like a vision.
She blinked. No, he was very real.
He charged forward. “It’s over, Paul.”
Paul jerked and made an animalistic noise. He elbowed Hadley again and she grunted.
A gunshot echoed through the trees and Paul yelped.
There was a flurry of movement and voices. She saw Killian and Henry, guns in their hands.
Then Bennett was there, untangling her from Paul.
Bennett pulled her into his arms. “Thank God.” His voice was shaky.
“I knew you’d come.”
“Are you hurt?” He touched her cuffed wrists. They were red.
“I’m fine.” She cupped his cheek, saw the whites of his eyes. “Bennett, I’m fine.”
Some of the panic leaked from him. His gaze ran over her face, then he pulled her close.
Leaning into his hard chest, Hadley looked at Paul. The man was sprawled on the ground, panting, a hand pressed to his bleeding leg.
“We’ll get you help, Paul,” Bennett said.
“No. I only want your pain, Bennett. I want you to suffer the way I’ve suffered.”
Suddenly, Paul pulled another gun from under his shirt.
Bang.
Hadley jerked. Paul hadn’t even lifted his weapon. Killian stood nearby, gun steady and face cool. Paul was slumped on the ground. The shot had hit him between the eyes.
“It’s over,” she whispered.