Chapter 8 - "I'm Still a Man"
Connor slowly turned onto his stomach.
His dark hair was soaked with rain and dirt, his face smeared with grime, but his storm-grey eyes burned with an terrifying, ancient rage that made Declan’s smirk instantly falter.
Connor dug his thick, tattooed fingers into the wet mud.
With sheer, impossible upper-body strength, Connor dragged his heavy torso forward across the concrete floor, putting himself directly between Declan’s gun and me.
"Connor... don't!" I wept, trying to pull him back.
Connor reached up with his left arm, grabbing my shoulder with a grip like forged steel, pulling me close against his chest to shield my body with his own.
He glared up at Declan from the muddy ground, his breathing harsh and ragged.
"I’m still a man..." Connor whispered to me, his voice a fierce, dangerous growl that cut through the sound of rain. "You think I can’t do this?"
Before Declan could process what was happening, Connor’s right hand flew to his waist!
He pulled a small, concealed snub-nosed revolver from his ankle holster—a weapon he had kept hidden for this exact moment!
BANG! BANG!
Two rapid shots rang out!
Declan’s eyes went wide with shock as the bullets struck him dead center in the chest! His gun slipped from his fingers, clattering against the concrete before Declan collapsed backward into the mud, lifeless.
The remaining mercenaries on the catwalks, seeing their leader dead, threw down their weapons as federal tactical teams—called in hours earlier by Liam—stormed the warehouse through the rear doors!
The battle was over.
The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the steady pitter-patter of rain through the shattered skylights.
Connor lay on the cold floor, his body shaking from exertion, his hand still gripping my shoulder with fierce, protective strength.
"Connor..." I whispered, leaning down and resting my forehead against his wet, dirt-stained cheek. "It's over. You saved us."
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Connor turned his head slightly, his storm-grey eyes softening as he looked into mine.
"You're safe, Sadie," he gasped softly, his warm breath fanning across my face. "You and the baby... you're safe now."
