“Hold still, bitch,” Carter said loud enough for Adam to hear.
Adam ran toward the staircase and bolted up the stairs as quietly as he could.
Keri cried out and Adam opened the door. Carter’s back was to him, but Adam could see that the bastard had a hold on Keri.
“No.” Keri was fighting Carter, trying to get away. “No!”
Gripping his Glock in both hands, Adam bolted into the bedroom. “Police!” he shouted. “Hands in the air.”
Carter whirled, his arm around Keri’s neck, a gun pressed up against her temple.
Adam’s gut tightened as he raised his hands and pointed his gun to the ceiling. “Let her go, Carter.”
The bastard smirked. “Looks like I’m the one holding all the cards—and the bitch. Slide your gun over here, dickhead.”
Very slowly, Adam eased down, careful to not make any sudden movements that would set off Carter. He slid his gun and it clattered over the tile floor to Carter’s feet.
* * *
Keri thought her heart just might burst out of her chest. Edward’s gun pressed into her temple and her throat hurt from how tightly he was holding it.
Her eyes met Adam’s. He was here, but Edward would probably kill them both.
Keri could barely swallow. Still with his grip on her, Carter moved his gun away from her head and started to reach out his foot kick away Adam’s gun.
She had to do something.
She dug her nails into the arm he had around her throat. At the same time she slid down.
With her countless years of training, Keri was so limber she was able to swing her leg over her head and drive her foot into Edward’s face.
She felt the crack of his nose against her toes, which were strengthened from years as a ballerina. He screamed in pain. In the shock of what she’d done, he released her.
Keri twisted out of his grip and kicked the gun out of his hand.
Edward shoved her and she fell back and hit her head against the tile.
Blood pouring from his nose, Edward grabbed Adam’s gun and started to point it at Keri.
A shot rang out from behind her at the same time she saw a spot of red appear in Edward’s forehead.
He slumped face-forward onto the tile.
Stunned, Keri couldn’t move. She felt frozen for a moment, not comprehending what had just happened.
“Keri. Honey.” Adam was there, his arm around her shoulders as he helped her sit. “Are you okay?”
She looked up and saw Adam, a deadly look in his eyes as he held Edward’s gun.
Keri looked at Edward’s body, then she met Adam’s gaze again.
“It’s over,” Adam said. “It’s over.”
THIRTEEN
“Thank God he’s gone.” Keri leaned up against Adam, her back to him as she looked into the crackling flames in his fireplace.
It was the night following the horror of the ordeal with Edward. She still couldn’t believe the terror had ended.
Adam stroked the side of her neck with his fingers. His touch was feather light, soothing against the areas that had been abused by the thug who had tried to choke her and by Edward.
“You were amazing, Keri.” Adam pressed his lips to the top of her head. “But you scared me to death.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at Adam, meeting his warm brown eyes. “I thought we were going to die.” She swallowed. “I was so frightened.”
“Everything is all right now,” he said. “Everything is fine.”
She nodded. “He’s out of my life, forever.” With Edward dead, there was nothing for her to worry about anymore. She could move on with her life without looking over her shoulder ever again.
“Where did you learn a move like that?” he said. “It was pretty amazing.”
“Dancing.” She smiled impishly. “You should see the positions I can get into.”
Adam touched the side of her face with his hand. “That’s one position I never want to see you in again.”
Keri shifted so that her head was against his chest. She felt the heat of his body against her cheek. “Don’t worry about me. I plan to stay out of trouble from now on.”
Adam wrapped his arms around her and rocked them both from side to side. “I’m holding you to that.”
For a moment they sat together, looking into the fire, neither of them saying a word. The only sound was the pop and hiss of flames as they danced in the hearth.
Being careful not to hurt her arm, Adam moved her so that she was lying on the rug in front of the fireplace and looking up at him.
She reached up and touched his jaw, the feel of her fingers light against his skin. “You’re almost too good to be true,” she said. “I’m so afraid of losing you.”
“To tell you the truth,” he said, “it’s the same for me. I’ve never felt this way before. You make me want to take care of you. Always.”
Suddenly, Keri’s eyes grew wide. “I almost forgot,” she said, “I have two things, just for you.”
Keri shot up and ran into the next room. A moment later she returned and said, “Okay, close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you.”
Keri walked out with a wrapped package and set it on the table next to Adam. She grabbed his hands. “Keep your eyes closed until I tell you,” she ordered. “Okay. Stand up.”
She pulled Adam up and he stood in front of her. “Open your eyes,” she said.
There Keri stood, in her Catwoman mask, with the biggest grin on her face he had ever seen.
Adam laughed. “The most beautiful Catwoman ever. I can’t believe you remembered.”
“So I guess you like the look,” she said, still grinning.
