The man with the gun pointed at her head didn’t move.
He stood still, focused.
And Duval wanted to put a bullet in his head for that alone.
The phone rang again. They could all hear it over the speakers.
“Pick up, asshole.”
Duval slanted a glance to Jack at his side.
The look on her face was murderous.
Dally stood on Duval’s other side, breathing so deep in his chest it sounded like a snarl. “Come on… pick up.”
When Tony Coolidge moved toward the phone, he kept his gun pointed at Noelle’s face. The cashier stand was just a few steps away, but he didn’t lower the weapon as he went.
His hold was steady and the look on Noelle’s face was as calm as it could be.
She even lifted her chin, likely to meet his gaze.
Duval was proud of her.
Of her courage.
But he also wished that she didn’t hold his gaze like she was.
He was afraid… so damn afraid that her courage might provoke the man.
The damage to Aracely’s bones showed that the man had anger brewing inside him.
He’d broken nearly half a dozen bones in her body. Big bones. Strong ones.
He was dangerous.
And he was too damn close to Noelle.
“Bastard.”
Duval heard the word in his own voice and his jaw tightened as he saw Tony deliver a swift kick to the man on the ground a moment before he picked up the phone.
The man was cruel.
And cruel made them all dread the rest of this operation.
Someone who could be cruel like that?
They could lash out at anyone.
Just for fun.
Duval closed his eyes for a moment and murmured a prayer under his breath.
“Who’s calling?”
“I’m Kelly Miller. I’m the Ranger who is going to get everyone through this, sir.”
“Ranger?” He scoffed. “A Texas Ranger.”