Chapter Twenty
Vaulcron’s entire body vibrated with desire. He glanced down at his painful erection as it pulsed with need.
“Get away from me,” he growled, fighting the urge to toss Mallory onto the bed and thrust into her waiting body again and again.
“I want you,” she whispered in a breathy voice.
Vaulcron’s control shattered. He spun around, lifted her off her feet, and situated her on her knees on the side of the bed in front of him.
Gritting his teeth, he fisted his shaft and stepped in close to her waiting heat.
An explosion suddenly ripped through the building, rocking the floor beneath Vaulcron’s feet.
He threw himself over Mallory’s body as the sheetrock in the ceiling cracked above his head.
“Oh, my God, what was that?” came Mallory’s muffled cry, her face now buried in the sheets.
The sound of gunshots erupted in the distance. Vaulcron jumped back and jerked his shorts up his legs. “Go into the bathroom.”
Mallory rolled from the bed, tugging the sheet with her as she ran. She disappeared inside the small bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.
The sound of footsteps could be heard coming up the hall. Vaulcron braced himself as bullets peppered the iron door in an array of blasts that vibrated inside his skull.
“Vaulcron?” a voice yelled as the door was kicked in, and Braum came barreling into the room.
“Are you all right?” Braum rushed forward, anger etched on his face.
“I am.” Vaulcron turned and jerked open the bathroom door. “Mallory? Come. We must make haste.”
The sight of Mallory climbing from the shower stall with that sheet tied around her tore at Vaulcron’s heart. She shouldn’t have to experience the level of fear she experienced now.
Mallory ran to him, her eyes wild with confusion. “What’s going on?”
Vaulcron scooped her up into his arms. “We are being rescued. Keep your head down.”
“Rescued?” Mallory swung her gaze toward Braum standing in the middle of the room.
A low growl rumbled in Vaulcron’s chest as a small gasp slipped past Mallory’s lips. He pressed her head down to his shoulder and rushed toward the door. “I need a weapon.”
Braum jogged ahead, pulling a pistol from his belt. He turned slightly, handing it to Vaulcron as they ran. “The safety is on.”
Vaulcron nodded his understanding, switched the safety off, and shot off down the hall behind Braum. He kissed the top of Mallory’s head. “I will get you out of here, beautiful one.”
The door to the stairwell suddenly flew open, and two soldiers burst into the hall with guns blazing.
Vaulcron fired his weapon at the man on the right, taking him down with one shot. Braum felled the other.
“This way,” Braum whispered, taking the stairs the soldiers had recently vacated.
Following close behind, Vaulcron adjusted Mallory in his arms, keeping the pistol at the ready.
Gunfire could be heard from below them, ricocheting off the walls in consistent earsplitting explosions.
Braum held up his hand as he came to a stop at the door on the first floor. He eased it open enough to peer out into the corridor.
“Stay close to the wall, and head toward the front door. There is an armored truck waiting around the right side of the building. Get her to safety.”
“What about you?” Vaulcron hissed, touching Braum on the arm.
“I will be right behind you. Now go.” Braum threw the door open and darted across the room to draw fire, effectively creating a distraction for Vaulcron’s escape.
Hunching his shoulders over Mallory to shield her body from flying bullets, Vaulcron hurried toward the front door. He burst outside and ran along the front of the building as fast as his legs would move. He rounded the corner in record time, relieved to see the armored truck parked close to the wall.
Vaulcron opened the passenger side door and deposited Mallory onto the seat. “Get into the back and keep your head down.”
Mallory nodded and climbed over the seat. “Don’t leave me,” she pleaded, glancing back at him with wide eyes.
He opened his mouth to assure her that she’d be safe in the truck, just as Tony, Braum, Gryke, and Oz rounded the corner.
“Get in,” Tony barked, jumping behind the wheel.
Vaulcron practically dove into the vehicle, seconds ahead of the others.
Tony threw the truck in reverse, backing up with such force that Vaulcron nearly face-planted in Braum’s lap.
No one spoke until Winchester Industries completely disappeared from view.
“Was anyone hit?” Oz asked, turning in his seat to study the crew seated in back.
Two sets of gazes swung over the backseat to stare down at Mallory.
“I’m fine,” she insisted, sitting up with the sheet held to her chest. “Just a little shaken up, but I’m okay.”
Vaulcron’s mouth tightened in jealousy. “If you value your eyes, you will aim them elsewhere.”
Braum laughed. “I am sorry, Vaulcron. I did not realize that she belonged to you.”
“My sister,” Mallory breathed, meeting Vaulcron’s gaze. “How am I going to find Amy?”
Tony answered before Vaulcron could respond. "We’ve already located your sister. Zaureth is on his way back to Cuba with her and Anderson. They will arrive ahead of us.”
Mallory gasped. “He is bringing the guy that held her hostage back to Cuba?”
“He is,” Tony nodded, glancing up in the rearview mirror. “And I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Hauke finds out about it.”
Vaulcron met Tony’s gaze in the mirror. “What does Hauke know of Anderson?”
“Anderson was the one that filled Hauke’s gut with lead.”
Vaulcron’s brows lifted. “He shot Hauke?”
Tony nodded. “He also took Abbie and Naura hostage. Yeah. Hauke isn’t going to be pleased about this.”
“Zaureth should have killed this Anderson.” Gryke’s quiet admission brought Tony’s gaze back to the mirror.
“Anderson was acting on presidential orders. Besides, he did save Amy’s life. That should be worth something.”
“Of course it is worth something,” Vaulcron piped in. “He did not have to risk himself for a girl he does not know. It shows he had integrity, and we will not repay his sacrifice by ending his life.”
Gryke shook his head. “Tell that to Hauke.”
“Amy is Mallory’s sister,” Vaulcron reiterated.
“Yes,” Gryke agreed. “And Hauke is your brother.”