Broch blocked the kick and continued forward, pinning the off-balance Russian to the wall. The kick might have taken Broch by surprise another time, but while Volkov’s body continued its frenzied dance, it seemed that the Russian’s mind had begun to fail him. He clearly hadn’t taken into consideration the vulnerable position he’d put himself in by throwing his leg into the air against a barreling Highlander.
Broch punched his foe in the face twice before Volkov managed to block one. The Russian twisted out from beneath him, his slippery skin sliding through Broch’s grasp. He scrambled away like an animal on all fours to the opposite side of the room.
Volkov whirled and put his back against the wall, appearing stunned. He wiped his face with both hands.
“You’re too fast,” he muttered. “Why are you so fast?”
Volkov stood near Catriona. He glanced at her.
Brock pointed at him. “Don’t.”
Volkov took a step towards her. Broch started forward and Volkov quickly grabbed Catriona’s hair, pulling her limp neck back, her jaw hanging slack.
Brock froze. “If ye hurt her ah’ll keep ye alive until ah’ve broken every bone in yer body.”
“I can break her neck before you take another step.”
Broch swallowed. He felt confident he could put his fist through the man’s skull before he could get a hand in place to do as he threatened.
“Volkov.”
The voice came from the ramp entrance.
Volkov and Broch both turned.
Dez stood there, gun pointed at the Russian.
“Do you remember Ginger?” she asked.
Volkov grinned, the gap where a tooth had been, flashing.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to finish her.”
Without another word, Dez fired.
Broch saw the red dot appear on Volkov’s forehead before his neck whipped back and he collapsed on Catriona.
Broch ran forward and threw the man aside, lifting Catriona into his arms.
He tapped her cheeks and brushed her blood-soaked hair from her face. “Cat. Cat, wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open and the corner of her mouth curled into a smile.
“You’re alive.”
“Ah am.”
“Little late getting here, though.”
He smirked. “Juist in time ah think.”
“Volkov?”
“He’s dead.”
He could feel her body relax in his arms.
Broch turned to Dez. “We need to get her to the hospital.”
Dez stood over Volkov’s body, her mouth hooked to the right.
“I maybe shouldn’t have done that.”
She kicked at the Russian’s still form and glanced up at Broch.
“Felt good, though.”
Catriona reached up to put a hand on Broch’s cheek, grunting as she sat up. She rubbed the side of her head where it had struck the wall.
“No hospital. I’m good. I’d rather go home. I just need a second. You got Mo?”
Dez nodded. “She’s in the car. And I zipped up the other two.” She scowled at Broch. “Since someone couldn’t be bothered.”
Broch stood and helped Catriona to her feet.
“Kin ye walk?”
She nodded and took a step. “Nothing’s broken. I just feel like one big bruise.”
Dez put her gun back into the waist of her jeans. “I need to call the cops. I need you two to stick around and back up my side of the story.”
Catriona nodded. “I don’t think you’ll have any problems.” She motioned to the archways on the opposite side of the room. “That one has thumb drives of him beating and murdering women. That one has the bodies.”
Dez winced and looked at her phone. “No signal. I gotta go up.” She walked up the ramp and disappeared from view.
Catriona threw herself against Broch, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him tight.
“Urr ye a’richt?” he asked. He could feel her body shake. “Are ye crying?”
She sniffed. “It’s the adrenalin rush.”
He didn’t know what to say. He wanted to pull her into his arms and carry her straight home.
He kissed her head. “My sweet bonny lass. Don’t ever leave me again.”
“I didn’t have much choice—”
“Don’t dae it.”
She chuckled. “Deal.”
She sniffed and pulled back far enough to look up at him. “I didn’t think I’d see you again, either.”
He scoffed and cupped her cheek with his palm. “Nothin’ kin tak’ me away fae ye, Catriona.”
She sucked in a sharp breath and pressed herself against him again.
“I’m sorry. I’m a little emotional right now. It’s been a hell of a day.”
He chuckled. “Ye stay ‘ere as long as ye need.”
“No.” She sniffed and pulled away again. “Get me out of here.”
Broch helped her up the ramp and set her at the bottom of the ladder, ready to follow her up.
He stood behind her and voiced the words playing in his head. “All ah’m wantin’ tae dae is grab ye ‘n’ haud ye.”
She leaned back against him and closed her eyes.
“Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty
Catriona rested her head on Broch’s shoulder and watched Las Vegas pass by through the window of their cab as they headed to the airport. She’d had a shower and changed, but still felt like a bruised peach left rotting under a tree. Possibly run over by a lawnmower a few times...
Welts had risen in spots she didn’t remember being struck. She looked like she’d fallen off Paris’s mini Eiffel tower and hit every metal rung on the way down.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to experience Las Vegas,” she said, stroking his arm. She was having trouble keeping herself from touching him. He’d gotten a shower, too. He smelled amazing.
“Ah’d rather be home,” he said, reaching over to stroke her hair which, luckily, was about the only thing that didn’t hurt.
“We’ll come back sometime.”
Broch rolled his eyes. “Or nae.”
Catriona read the signs to herself as they passed outside a big building.
A Special Gentleman’s Club
Buffet Extravaganza!
Wee Wedding Chapel
Catriona sat up.
No way.
That sign had to be
