in her wake. As her fingers gripped the weapon, she rolled onto her back, pointing the barrel toward the newcomer’s balding head.
Could she shoot him? Would it guarantee no more attempts to kill her? The man on the floor didn’t move and relief engulfed her.
She’d never thought herself capable of killing anyone, so this was testament to how far she’d fallen on the sanity scale. Kira struggled to a sitting position, exhausted and swiping at the blood mixed with sweat dripping down her cheeks—battle scars from her earlier tumble.
“Guess your friend found you.” Brawny stopped short in the doorway, holding her gun as if he planned to use it.
“You mean your friend. Put my gun down or I’ll shoot.” Okay, maybe she’d shoot. She’d never fired at a real person before.
Brawny was tall, probably over six feet, with a stance that said he expected compliance. A faint hint of stubble ran across his jaw. His dark brown hair held a few blond highlights, showing a bit of length in the back, leading her to believe he’d missed a haircut or two.
“Shoot your friend first, since he’s the one trying to kill you.”
A very rational request. “Maybe I should shoot you both.” The gun wobbled in her hands. It was heavier than hers and she really shouldn’t point it at anyone. What if it went off?
“Good luck with that. You know live ammunition does more than go boom, right?”
Was he mocking her? “Of course I know.”
Brawny fired at the wall above her head and she ducked. When she glanced up again, he was dumping the shells into his palm before tossing the gun at her feet. “Your gun is loaded with blanks and I’m dying to hear why.”
“I tried telling you, but you wouldn’t listen.” How would she explain that she didn’t want to shoot anyone? To her they were practice bullets, meant to help her get used to the sound of gunfire without flinching.
“Why use a gun without real bullets?” Brawny rubbed his chin, drawing her attention to the five o’clock shadow that was much too sexy for his own good.
“I’m holding a real gun with real bullets now.”
“If you shoot me, who’s going to help you with these?” He held out a set of handcuffs, nodded toward the man on the floor. Then he unwisely took a step closer.
“Stay back,” she ordered, visualizing herself handcuffed to another chair. “I don’t want any more of your help.”
He flashed a perfect smile, which under any other circumstances would have made her weak in the knees. He shrugged. “You destroyed half my house.”
“I didn’t destroy anything.” She needed to hold on to the anger, make him think twice about laying another hand on her.
“And I know this isn’t your house.” She hated that her voice shook.
“Really? Then whose house is it?”
“I’ll ask the questions.” Her eyes darted to the man on the floor and then to Brawny. “How do I know you didn’t send him up here to kill me?”
“You don’t.”
Not at all what she’d expected. “No song and dance about why I should trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.”
Well, good. At least they were on the same page. He took a lazy step forward and she adjusted her sights. She slid a few inches to the left and connected with a wall. “Don’t move any closer.”
“Shooting me is a waste of bullets.” He dropped the handcuffs and kicked them across the floor to her. “Put those on.”
“A frequent fantasy of yours?” She’d been aiming for a sarcastic tone, and instead the words came out breathy. Like an invitation.
“Definitely.” His raised eyebrow spoke volumes and she balanced on the thin line between anger and appreciation. He was good. Scratch that. He was very bad, and he knew it.
“I meant, use them on your friend. We need to get out of here before the fire closes in.”
“And if I refuse?” She swiped her forearm across her cheek and stifled a groan when her skin burned from the action.
“Then you deserve each other,” he drawled. Brawny’s warped sense of humor added to his raw appeal. Laughter and looks were a dangerous combination.
She lowered her gun a smidgen. Was she really going to shoot either of the men? And if she had to trust one, it would be Brawny. His silky brown eyes slid down her body and then to the gun in her hand.
“You’re making me nervous. How about a truce?”
“How long until the police arrive?” she countered. The burst of adrenaline was quickly fading from her bloodstream, causing her hands to shake.
“Twenty minutes.” His critical eyes swept her again. “Do you need an ambulance?”
Did she? The thoughts were getting jumbled in her head. She couldn’t stay here, but didn’t know how to leave. The man on the floor shifted, distracting her long enough for Brawny to pry the gun from her fingers.
He pointed the weapon at the man she’d temporarily sidelined. “I will shoot.” He kicked the balding man’s outstretched arm for emphasis, earning a grunt in return.
“Hand me the cuffs,” Brawny said.
Kira reached for the handcuffs, stifling the urge to ask where he’d gotten them. Pressing her back against the wall, she struggled to stand, one bare foot crunching on broken glass. She winced, throwing all her weight onto her other leg while trying to extend the cuffs to Brawny.
“You ain’t cuffing me,” the other man bellowed.
“Shut up,” Brawny said.
An obnoxious noise filled the room. Belching, maybe? But the man’s lips weren’t moving.
“Oh, that’s classy,” Brawny said. “Where’s the phone?” He pressed the barrel of the gun against the balding man’s head when he didn’t reply. “Last chance.”
“All right, all right, it’s in my pocket.”
As Brawny squatted to search the denim pockets, Kira stood holding the cuffs. She should do something to help, right? Maybe slip one of the silver bracelets onto the man’s wrist while Brawny subdued him.
She took a step closer as Brawny located the phone and silenced the annoying ringtone. In a flash, the balding man wrapped his fingers around her ankle and yanked her off balance as he threw his elbow toward Brawny’s face. Her bare foot was already unsteady as she tried kicking free.
Kira tumbled, her arms windmilling as she tried to catch herself. Hot pain hammered the back of her head as she fought to remain conscious. Her eyes slid closed against a backdrop of grunts and punches. She rolled to her side, unable to do more than lie there and listen.
