Boone’s gaze slanted toward it, and he nodded.“Someone fucking locked us in here,” he muttered.“Son of a bitch.”
Radley took two steps, then stopped, suddenly sniffing the air.“Is that...gasoline?”Panic began to rise within her.They were locked inside.The windows were boarded shut, and someone was pouring gasoline out there, no doubt planning to set the entire cabin on fire.
“Fuck.”Boone’s curse was low and deadly, and his gaze shot toward one of the boarded-up windows.“Let’s go out the back.”
Radley ran down the hall to the room they’d just come from.“Wait—I need a photo!”
Boone shook his head but didn’t argue, watching as she snapped some pictures of the sawdust and word written in it on the ground.
Suddenly, the front of the cabin ignited, the sound stealing her breath.
“We have to move!”Boone yelled.Reaching up, he gripped the frame around the window, then hefted his body into the air, kicking the boards out.Radley gasped in surprise.While he looked muscular and fit, she was just now realizing how damn strong Boone was.
He dropped back to the ground, his boots scattering the sawdust away.There was no time to worry about it now—the place was going to be nothing but ashes after the fire swept through.Boone gripped Radley by the hips, lifting her up to go out the window first.
“Boone!”she protested, yelping in surprise.
“Rad, get your sweet ass out the window.Hang onto my arms, and I’ll lower you down.”
Trembling, she got her footing on the window frame.
“Squat down,” Boone ordered, his hands still on her hips and mouth right at her ear.“Easy.I got you.”She shivered at the sound of his deep voice at her ear.He felt powerful and virile behind her—a take charge kind of man anyone would want on their side.
“I don’t see anyone,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Let’s hope it stays that way.Hang onto my arms,” he instructed.
She reached up, gripping his biceps, feeling strangely vulnerable.If anyone came running toward them with a weapon, she’d be defenseless.Somehow, Radley didn’t doubt Boone would dive in front of her if that happened.He was chivalrous almost to a fault.All of the men on Bravo Team were fearless in that sense.They protected others, fought evil, and took out the enemy.There was no chance in hell he’d let Radley get hurt when he was there.
Boone leaned out the window, and Radley realized he’d let go of her hips.He was holding her hands now, their arms locked together.“Drop down, Rad,” he said, his voice husky and low.“I got you.”
She released him, dropping the last several feet to the ground.Radley had her weapon out in an instant and was shocked when Boone practically vaulted out the window after her.No hesitation.No fear.He landed with a roll but quickly stood up, rushing toward her once more.
“I don’t see anyone!”Radley said, watching in horror as flames licked across the roof of the cabin, coming close to the room they’d just escaped from.
“Let’s get out of here,” Boone said, grabbing her hand.She didn’t argue, simply clung to him as he led her to the front of the cabin.Radley was used to thinking on her feet, working through scenarios quickly in her mind.She appreciated that Boone was the same.He’d already come up with a plan of escape, and she felt a sense of relief at having a competent and deadly former Delta Force soldier at her side.
Boone had pulled a weapon free with his other hand, but as they rounded the front, they were completely alone.As Boone was scanning the area, still looking for the perpetrator, Radley’s jaw dropped.
All four tires on Boone’s pickup truck were slashed.
They skidded to a stop, Boone still maintaining a protective stance beside her.
“Bad news, soldier.We need a ride to get out of here,” Radley said, her voice full of remorse.
Boone cursed and kept his weapon aimed, moving toward his vehicle.She saw his intent as he snatched a piece of paper from his windshield.Radley’s gut clenched as she read the hastily scrawled note now clenched in Boone’s hand.
You can’t protect her forever.She’s mine.