Shit.
Bryce was dead.
Chapter 3
Jaden took cover. The beach was too exposed. He couldn’t go barreling across it no matter how much his instinct told him he could take the kidnapper with ease. There were too many others covering this stretch of real estate.
At least Jaden had his mark in sight, his own weapon, and the benefit of knowing what he was up against. Knowing your enemy and how many there were created a distinct advantage.
He no longer had the element of surprise on his side. Not since Bryce.
With Lauren thrashing around, Jaden couldn’t get a clean shot on the kidnapper. One wrong thrash and there’d be a bullet between her eyes.
He needed her alive.
Where the hell was his backup?
The guy was hauling her toward the parking lot. Good. Jaden would be covered there. He could move undetected through the cars. He couldn’t allow them to take her to a more secure location. They’d be even better prepared there.
He had to make a move now.
Jaden moved quickly around the front side of the hotel. In the lot, there’d be a driver, at least, and probably another gunman. He already knew about the men in the towers. They’d be making their way down to the parking lot by now.
Ignoring the blinding pain in his shoulder, Jaden slipped into the parking lot. He prayed they wouldn’t have more shooters upstairs, in the windows, or overlooking the lot.
A quick scan didn’t reveal any, but he didn’t exactly have time to stick around long enough to get a good read.
He had no idea what Lauren’s reaction to him saving her would be. If she fought, that might draw unwanted attention. She could end up compromising her own rescue. He could handle the abductor. He could handle her. He didn’t doubt his abilities. He’d become the best by considering every possible angle. She was already in fight or flight mode. He needed to make a mental adjustment for that.
Jaden located the getaway vehicle.
Patience.
The break he was looking for came when he got close enough to see the driver was alone.
The other guy on the beach would have stayed back to sweep the area. He was already to Bryce by now.
Damn. Bryce. Jaden hated leaving him back there on the sand. Everything in his heart made him wat to stay with his colleague in his final moments, not let some asshole criminal drag him off the beach.
Rage heated the blood in his veins to boiling. He tamped down his frustration.
Where were Gunner and the others?
He moved silently through the parking lot, still seething.
Anger always made him think more clearly.
He needed to make a move on the kidnapper before he got Lauren to the vehicle. Patience.
A group of Dumpsters would give him enough clearance to take out the guy unnoticed. Might even buy Jaden the time he needed to snatch Lauren and get her to safety.
Crouched low, he made it to the Dumpsters quickly, quietly, unseen.
He crouched down as they approached. Patience.
She kicked and screamed, despite the kidnapper’s hand over her mouth. She had fight in her.
Let them come a little closer.
In one sweeping motion, Jaden snatched them both.
Fists were coming at him hard, as were kicks, but he easily wrestled the South American to the ground. Lauren was over top of him, slamming her fists into him as he held onto her leg.
“Don’t fight me,” he growled at her, their gazes holding briefly, while pulling his Glock from the waistband of his jeans. He pressed the cold metal severely against the kidnapper’s forehead, the bullet meant for him already loaded in the chamber. “Or I’ll shoot you too.”
Fear had her golden eyes opened wide, but her jaw was set.
“Help me tie him up,” he demanded, pulling his own belt from his jeans and wrapping it around the kidnapper, strapping his arms to his sides.
Lauren hesitated for a split second before she kneeled down and ground her knee into the kidnapper’s back.
The guy winced, and then smiled up at her through the pain.
“You won’t get away with this, perra,” he said through a sneer. A tattoo of an angel covered the left side of his neck.
Lauren balled her fist, reared back, and then slammed it into his face. “That’s for Max.”
He spit blood.
“Hold on there,” Jaden said, surprised. A spray of bullets rained on them from every angle. He’d be amused were it not for the shrapnel flying near his head.
“Get up.” Jaden forced the South American to his feet and pushed him in front of them, figuring she wouldn’t mind using this piece of scum as a human shield.
He took Lauren’s hand, feeling a sudden spark run between them, and he tucked her behind him.
Pressing the barrel of his gun to the back of the South American’s head, Jaden moved them toward the beach. If they could get on the other side of the horseshoe, they could use the building as cover.
The spray of bullets continued from the parking lot. AR-15s? Tactical weapons? Jaden made a mental note and moved on.
It looked as though the gang had regrouped.
A crack of thunder fired overhead. The sky was becoming darker by the second, and there was only one choice—keep moving to the beach.
Jaden kept Lauren tucked safely behind him and the South American in front as he stepped backward toward the surf. The beachgoers were long gone. At least he didn’t have to worry about innocent people getting hurt.
Out toward the coastline, he glimpsed a worker bringing in a small dive boat with a handful of tourists who were scattering at the sound of gunfire.
He could make a play for the hotel or get him and Lauren out to sea.
He scanned the area. Five jet skis were to the left. No keys. Those would be at the check-in station a hundred yards away at the palm hut. There were half a dozen kayaks. No good.
The scuba boat offered the best chance to get Lauren and himself away from the heavy artillery
