Ryder - Caveman Insticts Book Three(42)

I watched as two men from our team sprinted out in the open towards the veranda of the huge old Queenslander house. It was then four men came out, two from a column and the other from the front door and a window to shoot at the figures. Eric and two others of the team eased out and shot back at the now visible targets. When the four were taken out, Eric and the team all moved forward. I followed close behind, anxious to rush forward and get to Divinity, but I knew we still needed to stay cautious. The two men who’d been more target practice to draw out the bad guys were through the front door before us. I noticed that even though both had been wounded badly enough to leave a blood trail, they moved like cats, swiftly, easily and not showing they were hurt. My respect for these men skyrocketed. I knew the Army trained their men well, but what I was seeing was amazing. Two more men came out of nowhere and before they could fire at us, Eric and Dylan dispatched them without even firing their own weapons.

Entering the house, the smell that hit me had me reeling back. Chemicals. Holy shit! This house was a drug cooking house.

“Watch your fire. Smell the air,” I snarled at Eric. He caught my gaze and nodded. Then, as we entered the hall gave us the signal to spread out and search the rooms.

I don’t know what it was, but something drew me to the back of the house, and as I turned the corner I froze at the sight before me. Divinity was slowly making her way down a dark hallway. She held a gun pointed directly at a man who held one back at her. Divinity was in a bad way. Even in the dark lighting I could see she was covered in blood and it even dripped from her head. Her face was one big black bruise and she hunched over like she couldn’t stand straight. The man opposite her didn’t look in much better shape than her.

Not wanting to startle the man and have him shoot her, I didn’t even hesitate. I raised the gun, aimed for his head, and took my shot. I didn’t move as I watched his whole-body crumble to the ground. Divinity’s gaze shot to mine and the gun followed. When I got my first real look at her I cried out, ‘Oh Divinity. I’m so sorry.” Her face was worse than I first saw, and her neck had two hand prints on it. She shook and I could see she was barely holding on.

“Ryder,” she croaked out.

I ran to her and gathered her to me cupping her face and gently pressing soft kisses on her. “Divinity. I am so sorry. This is all my fault. Oh, my little vixen, what have they done to you? I’ll make sure every fucking one who was involved in this is dead.” I brushed carefully at her swelling face and the massive lump on her forehead that was still gushing blood. Tearing my shirt, I held it up to stop the bleeding.

She didn’t respond and I slowly moved her out of the hall and to all the men in a large lounge room filled with packages of drugs. Drugs from the case I’d been working on. I knew then she’d been taken because of me.

Even with her father and all the men around us Divinity hadn’t moved from my embrace. She remained still. Shock. I hoped that’s why she wasn’t touching me or moving. I worried that because she was taken, hurt, and I didn’t protect her that no matter what I did she wouldn’t have me, soulmate or not. Now knowing this was all my fault I doubted for the first time in my life if I deserved this perfect woman. I was going to have to suck it up and do something very un-alpha-like. Beg. “I’m sorry you were taken. Please forgive me. I can’t live without you. You’re my world. I will do anything for you to forgive me. I’ll make sure it never happens again. You were so brave though. I’m so damn proud of you. You’re amazing and I’ll forever tell you that if you forgive me. Please. Please, tell me you’re still mine.”

I was so wrapped up in my begging that when Divinity suddenly wrapped her arms around me and sank against me sobbing, I almost collapsed in relief. I was sure she would push me away and go to her father, or even one of the other men in the group, and keep ignoring me. “You were right. Being with you is dangerous. I should have called the bodyguards before I even left the base.” She babbled, her voice raspy and hoarse. “But, but, when I saw the cop car I thought, they were with you, but, it just, nothing was right. I found out they had me watched. I thought I had them convinced that we weren’t together, but X. He told the guy to kill me. I killed the guy. I had to. Oh, God, the bastards ruined my favorite Calvin Klein jeans and look!” She stepped back pointing to the holes in her jeans and at the blood that covered her shirt. “Gucci. It took me months to pay off my credit card after I bought this top. I didn’t hurt the dead guy or the one you killed enough.” She burst into tears again and her speech became unable to understand.