Claiming His Prize (Killer of Kings 5)

The guy got to his feet, and Chains punched him in the face, once, twice, and a third time. They started going at each other, kicking, punching, and shoving with skills she’d only seen in the movies. As the other man stumbled back, he reached for the gun, but before he could aim, a bullet when right through his hand. He screamed and hugged his arm, blood leaking down.

Lori gasped.

“Nothing to worry about,” said El Diablo. “Your boyfriend’s got this handled.”

She remembered when he’d murdered Carlton for hurting her. He was a killer. And he was hers. Chains grabbed a gun from his shoulder holster and put a bullet in the man’s head, right between the eyes as if he’d done it

a thousand times—maybe he had.

He started coming for her, and instead of feeling afraid or sobered, she only felt relief. A shadow appeared from behind a tree on the path Chains had taken. A third man? He didn’t have time to turn all the way around when a bullet stopped him in his tracks. Chains crashed sidelong against a large oak, pointing his gun despite his injury.

Chains didn’t need to fire back, because the third man dropped to the ground. They all stared, everyone frozen and silent, not daring to move a muscle. Where was the other gunman? Who would be shot next?

El Diablo used one arm to hold her, getting his free hand onto a handgun.

“I told you it was nothing personal.” A huge man dressed in black came out into the open, his arms covered in ink. “But weren’t you supposed to deliver the package to Boss at the docks?”

“Would you take a chance with Scarlett’s life, Bain?” asked Chains.

“Yeah. Guess I wouldn’t.”

“At least my cabin’s still standing. I was expecting a pile of ash.”

“Nice piece of land you have here.”

Bain pulled out his cellphone and turned around as he talked to someone. She could only make out a few words like “handled” and “three of them”.

She struggled in El Diablo’s grasp, and he released her. Lori rushed over to Chains, throwing herself in his arms. Even his scent brought down her nerves. He winced.

“You’re shot,” she said. Lori wanted to examine him, but he only held her close to his chest. He kissed the top of her head.

“I’m okay. What about you? Did anyone hurt you?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“I’m so sorry, baby. All I could think about was getting back to you.”

Bain put away his phone. “Boss is waiting to see the three of you. I wouldn’t keep him waiting too long. I’ll be meeting Viper in the city to make an example of whoever sent these bastards. Boss’s orders. They don’t know what’s coming.”

The way he said the words made her shudder. Whoever he was after was not going to have a good day.

Chapter Eleven

He took a cleansing breath once they were alone in his cabin. Bain agreed to give them a little alone time before heading back to the city. Lori wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. “I was so scared. I can’t lose you.”

“Everything’s okay now.” He stroked her hair and kissed her atop the head.

“Your heart’s racing. You’re lying.”

He pulled away, shaking his head. “Boss won’t hurt you. Killian won’t let him.”

“But you think he’ll hurt you? I thought things were settled.”

“He’s going to want to punish me.”

“Punish?”

He didn’t like the fear in her eyes. His job was to protect her from the dark side of his life. “You know about my Boss. You know what I do for a living. My life’s complicated, and not in a good way. Maybe you’re better off without me.” She was his prize, but now he loved her enough to let her go. He wouldn’t let Boss hurt her. That crazy bastard had shot other women without remorse. He was capable of anything.