Dark Defender by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online

whispered near her ear, “That guy was watching for us.”
    “You couldn’t possibly know that. No one could.”
    He saw red, tired of her arguments, tired of her doubts, and just plain tired. “Listen closely, Brenna. It’s my job to know such things. Jarvis is going to come out of that bathroom alone with an extra gun tucked in his belt and a transmitter that he’s taken off that guy you’re feeling so sorry for—who would have started shooting as soon as he recognized us.”
    “But—”
    “Chew my ass all you want later. Right now, either you walk out of here on your own or I’ll carry you out. Your choice.” He glared down at her, his teeth clenched in frustration.
    She must have realized that she had pushed him as far as she could, because she backed down. “Fine. Lead on.”
    He released his hold on her and walked close by her side, ready to pull his gun or respond to a physical attack. Jarvis caught up with them just as the doors slid open. Judging by the extra energy in his step, Trahern knew they had been right. For Brenna’s benefit, though, he asked, “What was he carrying?”
    His friend grinned, even as his eyes began an automatic sweep of the hospital parking lot. “Picked up a nice little Glock. I’ve wanted one for my collection for some time. His transmitter was a piece of crap, so I just flushed it.”
    The fear in Brenna’s eyes was back, but maybe now she’d follow their orders without arguing. Once she was feeling better and the memory of the past few days faded a bit, she’d be right back to standing toe to toe with him and arguing. He couldn’t wait; the defeat in her slumped shoulders was painful to see.
    “Let’s get her to my rental car. Your car sticks out like a sore thumb, and we don’t want to draw any more attention to ourselves.”
    Jarvis shook his head. “I don’t know how many more insults I can take from you about my car, Trahern. I think you’re just jealous.”
    “Yeah, right. Keep her here while I check things out.”
    Blake approached his rental slowly, watching for anyone who might be paying too much attention to their actions. He could hear sirens approaching. If they didn’t hurry, they could end up trapped in the parking lot by the emergency vehicles. Dropping to the ground, he checked the undercarriage for any telltale signs that someone might have left them an unwanted present.
    Nothing.
    He checked all four doors, especially the driver’s side, noting the small piece of grass he’d left over the bottom edge of the door was still in place. It didn’t guarantee that no one had been in the car, but he had also left a hair across the edge of the hood in two places. When he spotted both of them, he felt reasonably certain that the car hadn’t been tampered with.
    He opened the door and turned the key in the ignition. For a brief second he held his breath, wondering if it would be his last. But the engine caught and ran smoothly. Jarvis hustled Brenna across to the car and guided her to the back door.
    “Get in and lie down, Brenna. Once you’re away from here, you can sit up front. But if anyone is watching the exits, they’ll be looking for a woman in a hospital gown, not a man alone.”
    She winced in pain as she obediently stretched out across the seat.
    “Where are you going to take her?” Jarvis asked Blake.
    “I don’t know.” Even if he did, he wasn’t going to tell. The fewer people who knew where Brenna was, the better.
    His friend nodded. “Call me when you get settled, and we’ll plan our next step. Keep your head down, Ms. Nichols, and trust Trahern to protect you. There’s no one I’d rather have at my back.” He took one last look around the parking lot before slapping his hand on the trunk of the car to signal all was clear.
    Blake backed out of the parking spot. As he started for the nearest exit, a couple of men charged out of the hospital, their heads turning from side to side. Luckily, other vehicles driving through the