She turned back to the real threat and watched Jones running for his SUV. Smith was right behind him. They peeled away. Cowards.
Great. “What are you doing here?” she demanded as the two got out of the car. She didn’t loosen her grip on her rifle; she might still need it.
“Looked like you could use a hand.” Colin swaggered over to her with a grin on his face. The man had no fear of danger. She was a pissed off woman with a loaded gun. He should be afraid. Though her ire wasn’t directed at him.
“You let them get away.” She turned and glared at Alex.
“Me?” Alex blinked, surprised.
“Yes, you.” She pointed at him. “I had the situation well in hand,” she replied coolly. She’d had everything planned out. Injure Jones, let Smith get away, and get Jones to talk. Smith would come looking for Jones, and she’d have backup to help bring the giant down. It had been a solid plan.
“Which is why this ended up a gun fight in the middle of the street,” Alex drawled, coming up to them.
“And what, oh mighty one, was your ingenious plan to help with no weapon? Again. Oh wait,” she smacked herself in the forehead sarcastically, “That’s right, you have your body; you don’t need a weapon. How could I forget?” She smiled sardonically at him.
Alex only glowered at her.
Typical Neanderthal.
“Just stay out of my way,” she grumbled at him before turning around and putting her rifle away.
“What the hell are you doing with those?” Payton heard the shock in his voice at her duffel of arsenal. She didn’t care. Payton knew how to handle all sorts of weapons, not only because of her father but because of the police.
“Knitting a sweater, what do you think?” Payton grinned when she heard Colin chuckle next to her.
“Give me those before you hurt yourself,” he demanded, holding out his hand expectantly.
In his dreams. She wasn’t giving him any of her guns. Payton ignored him.
“I’m not playing around, Payton.” His nostrils flared in irritation.
“Nor am I.”
“You’re going to hurt yourself.”
Ah, treating her like a child. So annoying.
“I just proved I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
“Guys, come on, don’t fight,” Colin tried interjecting, but neither paid him any mind.
Alex decided action was far more effective than words and tried to take the gun from her. Payton kicked him on the inside of his knee and punched him in the throat. Alex bent over trying to catch his breath; she wasn’t going to feel bad for defending herself.
“Don’t ever try to take my weapons from me again,” she told him in a low deadly whisper before addressing Colin. “Now why were you following me?”
“We weren’t.” Colin held his hands up in surrender. “We were on our way to my house when we heard the gunshots. When I saw it was you, we rushed to help.”
“Thanks.” Even if she didn’t need the help and it cost her the perps, it had been sweet. Only because it had been Colin. Anyone else she would have ripped a new one.
“Why were you on this side of town?” he asked.
Payton hesitated in revealing her answer. She glanced over to see Alex had recovered and was watching her intently. Alex had been so adamant she stay out of what he deemed ‘his investigation.’ Saying she didn’t belong. That it was man’s work. Blah, blah, blah.
The man was being an ass, and it made her reluctant to reveal what she knew. He’d most likely take her Intel and keep her out of it. Nope, it was best to keep her cards close.
“They tried to run me off the road; I was just leading them away from anyone they could hurt. Poor Felicity paid the price.” She sighed looking at her poor car.
“Who’s Felicity?” Colin asked, puzzled.