19. Frankie
19
FRANKIE
“ C ome on.” Lincoln took my hand.
He was stumbling. He’d fought with both men and taken a hard blow to the head. I knew he was hurt badly.
We staggered behind a tree.
I tried to calm my breathing. Lincoln peered around the trunk.
“Do you see them?” I whispered.
He shook his head, then winced.
“Let me see.” I went up on my toes and touched his head. “You’re bleeding a lot.” There was a nasty gash on his scalp.
“Head wounds bleed. It’ll be fine.” His voice was gruff. “I’ve got to get you to safety.”
My belly churned. These people who were after my research were monsters. They didn’t care who they hurt. They hadn’t hesitated to attack Linc.
I heard rustling sounds, and my heart lodged in my throat.
“Frankie, listen.” Linc’s tone was urgent. He gripped my shoulders. “I’ll lead them away.”
I met his gaze. I’d thought he’d looked like a handsome, easygoing surfer when we’d first met. Now, I only saw a focused SEAL.
“You’re Reath’s,” Linc said, “and he asked me to protect you. I’d do anything for him.”
Those words . My chest locked. “I’m not his.”
Linc shot me a look. “I’m going to run in that direction.” He pointed toward the lake. “You stay here, and stay down. Once it’s quiet, run the opposite way. Reath is coming.”
God, I felt sick. “Be careful.”
There was a flash of a cocky grin. “I’ve survived worse than these bastards.” Then, with a nod, he turned and ran.
A moment later, I heard footsteps and the rustle of bushes. Then there were shouts.
I crouched down and pressed my hands to my chest, trying not to lose it.
“They went that way,” a deep voice called out.
“Go!” another ordered.
More thuds of boots.
Then silence. All I could hear was the wind in the trees, and some birds chittering. It was hard to make myself wait. I leaned back against the tree trunk, counting to ten.
Reath was coming. Linc was tough. He’d be okay.
I rose and took off walking, fast. I tried to be as quiet as possible.
I hurried through the park and expected someone to shout or spot me.
Get out of the park. Hide. Wait for Reath.
It was a decent plan. I wanted these men, these criminals, stopped. I tripped over a stick and stumbled.
Focus, Frankie.
“Ms. Parker?” The shout echoed through the trees, and I froze.
“We have your friend.” The voice was accented. French. He sounded like he was trying to be friendly.
They had Lincoln. No . My pulse raced.
“If you don’t come out, I’ll put a bullet in his brain.”
I gasped. No. No. No .
“His death will be on you.”
Anger exploded inside me. Manipulative bastard. He threatened to kill someone, and I was the one to blame?
My gaze narrowed, and I moved quietly back in the direction I’d come. I stuck to the thickest line of trees.
He called out my name again and I knew I was getting closer.
If they had Linc, I couldn’t leave him.
So, what’s your plan, Frankie? The voice echoed in my head.
I had no clue.
I crept closer.
Through the branches I saw two men and…dammit. I bit my lip. Linc was on his knees on the ground, his head bowed. He was bleeding even worse now.
“She won’t come out,” the bigger thug said.
The other man swiveled. He was lean, with a handsome face and short, dark hair. He lifted his head, and I instantly changed my mind.
He had a mean look. A blank, hard glow in his eyes. He was a man who liked to hurt people. A man who’d killed before.
He was clearly the guy in charge. It radiated off him.
Think, think.
I circled around. I knew Reath would be pissed, but I had to do something to help Lincoln.
I spotted a thick stick on the grass and snatched it up. My hands curled around the rough bark. I had a brown belt in judo. I wasn’t helpless. But I was well aware that I was better with defense, not offense. Especially when my opponents were bigger and stronger. On the other hand, I was skilled and smart.
And scared.
I grabbed a rock, then counted to three. I tossed it as far as I could.
The men swiveled at the noise. I saw the guy in charge frown.
He jerked his head. “Watch him. I’ll check it out.”
The other guy nodded.
The leader strode off and disappeared into the trees.
I blew out a breath and lifted the stick. I had one chance to make this work. I braced myself behind the tree and took a deep breath.
I saw the thug kick Lincoln and laugh. The injured man grunted. I gritted my teeth, then charged.
As fast as I could, I came in from behind. I swung the stick and whacked it against the tall thug’s head.
“ Ah .” He stumbled and almost tripped. He looked up, but I was already moving.
I swung again, but he grabbed my stick and yanked it out of my hand. Not good.
I spread my feet and got my balance, then I grabbed his arm and the front of his shirt, took a step, and hooked my leg around his. I shifted my weight and knocked him off his feet.
He went down hard on his back.
“Lincoln, get up,” I said.
The man tried, but I could see he was dazed.
The attacker surged up, swung an arm, and punched me in the torso.
Ow . The air rushed out of me, and I nearly fell over.
He sneered, and swung a giant palm at me. He backhanded my face, and my ears rang. I fell to the ground.
He leaned over me.
Shit .
He smirked and took a step closer.
“Take another step, and you’ll regret it.”
I jolted, and the bad guy froze.
Dante Fury, gun in hand and an ice-cold look on his face, emerged from the trees. His gun was trained on the big man.
The thug’s hand moved toward the holstered gun on his hip.
“I’d listen to him.” Reath appeared from nowhere behind the bad guy. He pressed the barrel of his gun to the thug’s neck. “I’d be more than happy to take you down.” Reath had a cold, dangerous look in his eyes. “For hitting her.” His tone was ice.
The man lifted his hands, but then I saw his thighs tighten.
He was going to attack.
I lunged up and grabbed his belt. Then I swiped one of my legs out.
I knocked his legs out from under him and he crashed to the ground.