“My people have a strong base here,” he shouted back. “We have for years!”
“Yeah? Well, my people have a strong base here, too, asshole. And they’re out there right now, stopping all of this. The bank robberies. The bomb. All of it!”
And I’m going to stop you.
Samer came out from where he’d been hiding, a pistol in one hand, his other stretched out to his side. “You want to fight like soldiers; let’s fight.”
Raegan found it hard to breathe for the murderous rage she felt toward this man. His hair was short and his face clean-shaven. Most likely to blend in better as an American, rather than a radical ISIS fuck who enjoyed the killing of innocent people.
Her gun remained steady in her fists, but her trigger finger twitched with the urge to shoot.
“Drop the weapon, Samer,” she ordered with a low, calm voice.
On the inside, she was a complete and total mess. But she’d never let this man see that. Not ever.
Praying Rocky was making headway with the bomb, Raegan kept her aim in the center of Samer’s head, and her focus between her target and the gun in his hand.
“Just like old times, yes?” He let his thick accent come through.
Yes, this was eerily similar to their last meeting. Except this time…
“You’re not the only one with a gun, Samer. And from the way you were shooting just now, I’m guessing your aim is still as shotty ever.”
“Fucking American bitch!” He took a broad step toward her. “You always did think you were better than me.”
“Mmm…” Raegan tilted her head a bit. “No. I always knew I was better than you. And I’m willing to bet I still am.”
“If that were true, you would have caught me sooner. I never would have been able to recruit those clueless boys, and I never would have been able to make that bomb. But I did.” He smiled then, his cold, evil eyes staring back at her. “And once again, I have proven to be the best.”
“Wrong, Samer. You only think you’re the best. Truth is, I’ve been distracting you this whole time.”
The flicker of uncertainty in his eyes was all she needed to know; she’d finally gotten to him. She’d gotten to him, and Rocky, well…
Rocky and Cade were both here. Both still alive. And they were both sneaking up behind where Samer still stood.
Holy shit, he did it! He diffused the bomb!
A slow, methodical smile spread across Raegan’s face. Though she wanted to cry with relief, she forced those emotions away.
Later, she could think about how close she came to dying once again. For now…
“Drop the weapon, Samer.”
Rocky’s voice—his strong, deep, masculine voice—was the most beautiful sound she’d ever heard.
Surprise flashed in the terrorist’s wide eyes. A second later, they turned flat. Emotionless. As if he’d only just realized what needed to be done.
Just like that day in Iraq, everything around her seemed to move in slow motion. Samer’s hold on his weapon seemed to become stronger. The barrel of his gun grew steady as it was aimed straight at her head.
Rocky and Cade continued to shout at Samer to drop his gun and put his hands in the air. And Raegan…
She stayed right where she was, watching it all unfold in front of her.
Samer looked at her. She stared back at him. He started to pull his trigger, but then…
Several shots rang out in rapid succession.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!