There was a yelp, like a dog in pain. The man grasped his wrist, which was hanging at a strange angle. Callum had destroyed it with one kick. He didn’t relent. His next kick took out the man’s knee. He crumpled, howling now. For a second, it seemed as though Callum was going to walk away. He lifted his eyes to hers. Those dark, deadly eyes. But a flicker of movement brought his attention back to the man on the ground.
He had a gun in his good hand, and it was pointed at Callum.
“No!” Isobel was up, ready to jump off the roof and save him. Somehow.
Callum kicked out. The hand with the gun crumpled with another agonised howl. Callum knelt beside the man, said something Isobel couldn’t hear and reached for his head. When Callum stood, the man was dead.
When he turned to Isobel, it was as if she was seeing him in slow motion. There was blood on his jaw. Blood on his knuckles. Sweat glistening on his brow. His muscles were tense and ready. His eyes were hard. This wasn’t a man who whispered soft words. This was a Viking. A warrior. A hero.
He strode towards her, covering the distance in silence. “Down,” he said, and held up his arms for her.
Isobel snapped out of her daze and realised she was still lying flat on the tiny roof. Her whole body shook. Her brain couldn’t process the violence she’d just witnessed.
“Isobel,” he growled, a command she didn’t dare defy.
She turned and lowered her legs over the side until she felt the edge of the roof bite into her stomach. It pressed against the bruise left by Ray’s fist, and for a second the world turned white. She broke out in a sweat with the pain, but fought through it, praying that the ribs weren’t cracked and that she wasn’t making the damage worse. Grasping the edge and flexing her meagre biceps, she lowered herself further. Before she could extend her arms and hang from her fingertips before dropping to the ground, Callum was there, his strong hands at her waist. He took her weight and lowered her to safety. As his hands pressed against her ribs, Isobel winced and stifled a moan.
He stilled, before turning her in his arms. Slowly, he lifted the edge of her shirt. His eyes went hard when he saw the bruise.
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Isobel’s mouth was dry. Her body was shaking. She curled her fingers into Callum’s T-shirt and held on tight. His hands ran up and down her arms, warming her, comforting her, but there was no softening in his eyes. Her attention strayed to the body. “You killed him, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t have a choice.” Fingers on her jaw gently turned her head. “Look at me. Not at him.”
Isobel swallowed and nodded. She knew he hadn’t had a choice. She knew it. She’d watched the whole thing. And still, her eyes were drawn back to the body.
“No.” He turned her head again.
“I’ve never seen someone die before.” She hoped he realised her words were a confession, not a condemnation. She knew he’d had to do it. The man was going to kill him.
“I need you to run to my house,” Callum said.
Her hands tightened in his shirt. “You’re coming too.”
“I need to deal with the men who’re still here. I have questions.”
“No. You need to come with me.”
“Think, Isobel,” he snapped. “The kids need you. I can take care of myself. Go. I’ll be there soon.” He pried her fingers from his shirt and pushed her in the direction of the path through the trees—the one her kids had taken, the one that didn’t go near the road, where the other men might be waiting.
“Go.” With one last order, he turned and strode towards the house.
Isobel scurried into the cover of the trees and felt torn. What kind of person would she be if she left him there to face this alone? He was outnumbered. What if he got injured? What if he needed her help getting back to his house?
She pulled out her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and texted Jack. Are you okay?
The answer was immediate: In Callum’s house. Heading for the basement. We’re safe. You?
On my way. Waiting for Callum.
There was a pause and then, Don’t do anything stupid.
Isobel chewed at her lip. There was absolutely no guarantee she could give. You’re sure you’re safe?
Absolutely.
I’ll be there soon.