Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 46

46

M alina stepped closer, her eyes glittering with joy. Tessa’s pulse thundered in her ears as Malina seductively slid the icy blade of a knife against her neck. Tessa’s initial reaction was that it didn’t hurt. For a fleeting second, she remembered when she’d sliced her finger on a kitchen knife. That hurt like hell and bled for hours.

Then reality hit her.

Her body started shaking. She felt dizzy, and something warm and sticky trickled down her neck. Its coppery tang filled her nostrils. Panic clawed up her throat. She tried to reel back and away from the bitch, but the ties held her in place.

“I’m going to have fun with you,” Malina said cheerfully. Her smile widened. “Next, I’m going to…”

A deafening crash shattered the air, followed by the thud of heavy boots on the concrete floor.

Malina spun around, still holding the knife.

Tessa’s heart surged with hope. Can it be? Am I safe?

The Brotherhood had arrived.

Malina turned just as Ford burst through first, his shotgun raised, eyes sweeping the room. Finn and Chase followed, fanning out with their weapons drawn, ready for anything.

“Drop it, Malina,” Ford barked.

Malina hesitated, her hand tightening around the knife. Tessa’s breath caught. Was she going to fight?

She smirked. “Not a chance.”

Before she could make a move, Finn lunged, knocking the knife out of her hand. Malina snarled and came out swinging at him. But he was faster, slamming into her, knocking her to the ground.

More footsteps. Dex, Colt, and Will closed in, weapons raised.

“It’s over,” Finn growled.

Malina’s eyes darted around frantically, calculating her odds. In a sudden burst of motion, she reached for the discarded knife.

A single shot rang out.

Malina jerked, stumbling backward, tripping over Damien and Marty’s lifeless forms before she collapsed in a heap. Blood pooled beneath her as her body twitched once before going still.

Silence fell.

Chase exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “Well, that takes care of that.”

Tessa’s gaze landed on Damien and Marty’s bodies sprawled on the floor in pools of blood.

“They’re dead,” Tessa croaked, surprised her voice even worked.

“Good,” replied Chase coldly. “Less for us to do.”

Ford’s focus snapped to Tessa. His shotgun hit the floor with a clatter. In a few swift steps, he was beside her, dropping to his knees as his hands flew to untie the ropes.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he murmured. “You’re safe now.”

For the first time in what seemed forever, Tessa’s body sagged as relief flooded through her. He’s here. She was safe.

“You came,” she whispered.

“I will always come for you, sweetheart.” His eyes met hers, fierce and unyielding. “No one gets away with hurting you ever.”

Ford scooped her up in his arms, holding her to his chest as he strode toward the exit. “We’re getting you checked out,” he said.

The men’s voices faded into the background as the cool dawn air hit her skin. “Good.” She closed her eyes, securely nestled in Ford’s arms.

Safe. Finally safe.

Kicking in the warehouse door was satisfying, but Ford didn’t stop. His heart was pounding like a drum as he burst through the door, scanning the room. Where is she?

The metallic stench of blood mixed with fear and death made his gut twist. Finally, he spotted Tessa, tied to a chair, her face pale and bloodied, her eye swollen. She’s alive!

“Drop it, Malina,” he barked.

Malina hesitated, the knife still in her hand. She was cornered. Calculating. Dangerous.

He had his finger on his gun’s trigger and had no problem with just shooting her, but his focus stayed on Tessa. His woman. The love of his life.

Behind him, Finn and Chase spread out. He trusted them to cover his back but kept his sights on Malina.

Then the rest of the team stormed in, fanning out around the room.

“They’re dead,” Tessa’s sweet voice said, but Ford could hear the fear underneath.

Malina had done this. She had hurt his woman, the love of his life. White-hot rage surged through his body.

He could put a bullet between Malina’s eyes and never feel guilty. But before he could, a shot rang out.

Finn took her down. Ford barely glanced at the woman bleeding out on the floor. She was nothing.

The only woman in the room he was concerned about was Tessa. His shotgun hit the ground as he dropped to his knees and swiftly untied her, trying hard not to focus on her bruised and bloody body, which made his stomach churn.

His fingers brushed against her skin, which was cold and clammy. She was going into shock. But when her gaze met his, she didn’t flinch. She trusted him.

When the ropes fell away, he scooped her into his arms, her body limp against his, and he almost lost it.

He had to get her to the hospital. Malina was dead. Chase had already called Liam, and the police would be here soon.

All that mattered was that Tessa was safe, and he vowed to make damn sure she always stayed that way for the rest of her life.