Page 78 of Ravaged With You

The bitch was dead.

He used the knife to cut his back free, then scrambled to stand, blood dripping from his arms.

A few feet from Jo, Boris had dislodged the knife and, gasping, was crawling to Jo who was trying to push herself away.

“Jo! No. Stay still. Don’t increase your heart rate.”

Boris lifted his head, sneered, then fell silent when Red kicked the knife from his hand before reaching down and snapping the bastard’s neck. He grabbed the man’s pistol and tucked it in the waistband of his slacks.

Then he ripped off his shirt and used one of the knives to slice off the hem to bind Jo’s hands before cutting her loose and helping her to her feet. Tenderly, he put the now-mangled shirt over her head and helped her into it.

“I never doubted,” she whispered, and oh, God, how he loved her.

“We have to go. The other one’s still out there, and he may have gone to meet more of them.”

She nodded. “I can walk. I’m woozy, but I can manage.”

“I’ve got you,” he said, his hand on her arm. “And I’m never letting go.”

“I know. Let’s get out of here. Please.”

They moved as quickly as they could, checking corners, trying to find their way out of the underground maze. Then they turned into a corridor, only to be confronted by Tomas stepping from a shadow.

Red shoved Jo behind him, then shifted his weapons, a knife in each hand.

He felt the tug as Jo pulled the gun from his waistband, then heard the click as she fired. Except nothing happened. The gun was completely empty.

“I assure you my weapon is not,” Tomas said. “And I will relish—“

He didn’t finish the sentence. As he spoke, Red released one knife, sending it hurling straight into Tomas’s eye. It made contact a split second before the man’s head exploded, sending Red stumbling backward in surprise and confusion as he pulled Jo to the ground, covering her.

Then his mind cleared as everything clicked into place. As he saw Simon standing behind Tomas, his weapon drawn, Quincy backing him up.

He closed his eyes and drew a breath, then opened them again when he heard the distinct footfalls of someone running toward them. Renly burst around the corner, Emma right beside him.

“Oh, thank God,” Renly said. “Christ, man, what happened?”

“I ran into an old friend,” Red said. “But it’s all good now.” He helped Jo up, they clung to each other. “I’d say it’s all just about perfect.”

“Just another hour, and then you’re free to go,” the doctor said, adjusting something on Jo’s IV. They were in the Stark Security infirmary, and she was being treated by the physician on call.

“I’ll be happy to get unhooked,” Jo said.

“But she’s fine?” Red asked. “You’re sure?”

“I am,” the doctor said. “You’ll both heal nicely.”

Red nodded, glancing down at his bandaged forearms. The knives were gone, but first chance he had, he was having Dr. Hargrove redo the procedure. With luck, he’d never have to use them again, but he wasn’t taking chances.

Red looked over to where Renly leaned against the doorjamb. The others were nearby, too, he knew, but were kindly giving them space. “Sorry about your party, bro. But thanks for the calvary.”

Renly chuckled. “Yeah, I hate it when rabid human traffickers ruin my soirees. Looks so bad on the social register.”

“How did you find us?” Jo asked.

Red had already heard the story, but she’d passed out in the car and missed it, so he let Renly tell her again.

“Quincy saw Red’s car on the road and reported in. That’s when Mario shared the picture he’d sent you, and Simon recognized the woman.”