In His Keeping (Slow Burn 2)

Ari blinked, her mouth drooping open, some of the horrifying thoughts of anger and violence diminishing as she gauged Zack’s sincerity.

“They’re alive?” she whispered.

Beau stepped closer, his movement tentative as though he were afraid to touch her. Afraid she’d shatter.

“Yes, honey, they’re alive,” Beau said quietly. “You protected them. Your barrier prevented the bullets from hitting them. And when it did fall, your father took out two of the men in quite an impressive manner. They’re safe, and waiting for you, and as Zack said, they’re out of their minds with worry. Because you sacrificed yourself for them. Don’t do something now that will cause them to grieve the rest of their lives and feel guilt over the fact that you sacrificed your life for them. Don’t make me grieve because I lost you.”

He slid his hand up the length of her arm, over her shoulder and then around her nape, gently pulling her toward his body.

“Please, Ari. Come with me,” he softly begged. “The building is destroyed. It won’t stand much longer. What few you men you didn’t take out, Dane, Capshaw and Isaac are taking care of now. It’s over. You kicked their asses, and you made sure that no one will ever use this place for evil again.”

She allowed herself only a brief, sweet moment in Beau’s arm, in his strong, protective embrace, before reluctantly pulling herself away. Then she slanted a glance in the goon’s direction.

“There’s still one more,” she said coldly. “And I have a personal score to settle with him anyway. He’s the asshole who tried to drug me the morning after my parents disappeared.”

Beau’s eyes grew cold as he shifted his stare toward the man pinned helplessly on the ceiling.

Then another quake rolled through the entire complex, rattling chairs, furniture and the very foundation. Distant crashes sounded, drawing closer and closer. Indeed, Beau was right. The building was coming apart at the seams, guided by her overwhelming rage and psychic energy.

“Leave him,” Beau said, slipping his fingers through hers. “Let him die when the building comes down on him. He doesn’t deserve a quick and merciful death.”

Still, Ari hesitated because the taste for revenge was still strong in her mouth.

A deafening crash much closer this time and then a shout carried through the accumulating rubble. Beau’s name.

“Let’s roll,” Zack barked out. “Do you want us all to die so you can have your revenge, Ari?”

Beau snarled at him and Ari could see the rebuke poised to fly. She squeezed Beau’s hand. “He’s right, Beau. I’m not thinking clearly. Forgive me. The last thing I want is for anyone to die because of my hatred and thirst for vengeance.”

Beau wrapped a steadying arm around her and guided her toward the doorway. Or what was left of it. As the rush of adrenaline began to wear off, her knees started shaking. Her entire body shook. Her legs buckled and Beau had to haul her up against his side to keep her from sagging to the floor.

“I’m all right,” she said through gritted teeth. “I can make it. You need both your hands.”

“You are not all right,” Beau bit back. “You don’t see how bad you look, Ari. You scared the ever-loving shit out of me when I saw you back there. God. I thought I was too late. I can’t believe you’re still standing after bleeding so damn much. The very first thing we’re doing when we get the hell out of this godforsaken place is take you to a hospital.”

They hurried down the hall amid shouts from Dane to Beau to hurry his ass up. Ari knew she was slowing them down, but Beau refused to let go of her.

They were within sight of Dane and the two men flanking them when the walls on either side of them exploded outward, pelting them with debris and Sheetrock. An ominous cracking sound erupted and then Ari found herself flying backward, Beau cradling her to absorb her fall.

The entire ceiling and second floor had caved in, blocking their pathway to where the others waited.

“Zack?” Beau yelled, worry in his voice.

“I’m here. I’m okay.”

Then Beau reached up to frame Ari’s face in his hands. She was atop him, Beau having broken her fall. His worried gaze raked over her. “Are you all right? Do you hurt anywhere?”

She grimaced. “I hurt everywhere but it has nothing to do with this particular incident. I’m fine, Beau.”

“We’re going to have to get out another way,” Zack said grimly.

“What?” Ari asked incredulously. “I can get through that. I’ve certainly done a lot more difficult things.”

“No,” both men said in unison.

She shook her head, sure she was misunderstanding something.

“You can’t take much more, Ari. Any fool can see that. You’re done. Finished. If you incur another bleed I can’t even imagine what will happen and if it’s all the same to you I’d rather not have you a vegetable for the rest of you life.”

“Oh for God’s sake,” she muttered. “And how do you propose we get out this ‘other’ way if you won’t let me use my powers.”

“Because we’ll blow a hole in one of the outer walls so it doesn’t bring the interior structure down on our heads,” Beau said patiently.

She sighed. “Whatever. Let’s get on with it. I want to see my parents.”

They picked themselves up from the floor and Zack led the way, Ari positioned between the two men. She should be in front. It made no sense for men who were vulnerable to bullets to be on the front line instead of a woman who wasn’t vulnerable to attack to lead. But she didn’t even waste her breath arguing because one, they’d never agree and she’d waste precious time beating her head against a brick wall. And two, she just wanted it over and done with so she could see for herself that her parents were okay.