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Yes! She cupped them and slammed them against the stocky man s ears. He exploded in pain and rage.
She twisted out of his loosened grasp and ran, her long legs carrying her off the porch and out
toward the middle of the little pueblo.
Help! she yelled. Help!
Probably the Fuentes bunch would just look on and grin while the stocky drug dealer had his way with
her, she thought in panic, but maybe those armed men in camo would take pity on her and come to
help. Or not. Her heart was beating wildly, her breath jerking as she gasped to fill her lungs with air.
She d never felt more frightened during this whole ordeal. If only Jason were here to protect her, she
thought wildly. If she d given in when he d kissed her, if she hadn t fought him& she wouldn t be in
this awful predicament. Now her life was on the line and the violent ravishment of her body by this
grimy thug. She would literally rather be dead. She tried to run faster, but she heard the quick thud of
footsteps closing in on her. She wouldn t stop running. But she knew she d lost the battle. There
wasn t another human being in sight. There was no help.
The stocky man had recovered his sense, if not his hearing, and overtook her just as she reached a
small, closed grocery store.
He jerked her around and bruisingly pinned her to the ground.
Now, he growled, you will pay for fighting me!
8
GRACIE TRIED TO KICK HIM, but he was too powerful. She was out of breath and weak with fear.
She was trapped. There was no hope left. But as she lay helpless, at the mercy of yet one more
bullying male throwing her around, something rose in her like a fury. She was so tired of being a
victim. Well, this criminal might kill her, but she was going to go out fighting. Her mother had been
right. Some men were definitely animals. But this one was going to pay a price for what he was trying
to do.
Seething with indignation, she turned her head suddenly and bit him on the cheek as hard as she could.
She tasted blood in her mouth as he jerked up his head. He yelled, pressing his fingers against his
cheek. He felt the blood. He cursed her and drew back a fist.
Go ahead, coward, she spat at him. Beat up a woman! Show the world what a brave man you are!
The taunt rolled right off him. The man, still furious, lifted his fist to hit her again. She gritted her
teeth, waiting for the blow, but she didn t close her eyes. She dared him to do it again. If he put his
face close enough, she d bite his nose off next time!
Before the man had a chance to strike her, there was an odd flash of light from somewhere nearby. A
crack, like the pop of a firecracker. The man on top of her stiffened. His open eyes stared for an
instant before they went blank and he fell on her completely.
She felt something wet on her chest, something with a metallic smell. She was too stunned to move.
Past the man s body, a tall man was coming closer. He held a smoking pistol. It was the General
himself, grim-faced and unsmiling, moving rapidly toward them.
Gracie shivered with relief, even as she relived the past when another man was killed next to her.
Horrible memories intruded. She pushed at the unconscious stocky man, who was heavy on her, but
she couldn t budge him. The General caught him by the collar and tossed him away as
contemptuously as if he were a dirty rag. He knelt beside Gracie.
Niña, are you all right? he asked softly. I am so sorry.
She d been so brave while it was happening. Now, suddenly, she couldn t stop crying. The big man
scooped her up against his chest and cuddled her. No llores, he whispered. Don t cry. You are safe.
I will never let anything or anyone hurt you. Never, as long as there is a breath in my body.
She caught her arms around his neck and held on for dear life. She felt safe. She wasn t afraid
anymore.
The big man shuddered, at her ready acceptance of his protection. He had women in his life, but never
one who made him feel so much a man, so necessary. She had almost been ravaged by that little tick
lying so still nearby. She must have been terrified, a gentle woman like her. But she accepted
Machado s comforting arms without hesitation, as if she felt at home there. His eyes closed on a wave
of possession. If only he could keep her, he thought insanely, refuse the ransom and take her home
with him, to stay forever.
But this was crazy thinking. She would never fit into the violence of his world, even if he could coax [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] - zanotowane.pl
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