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“They’re behind the bar” She punctuated her quiet voice by waving toward the wood counter

“Then go get them, Toots”

She gave Jake’s hand another squeeze and walked behind the bar He folloanting to keep his body between her and the gun barrel

“Oh no” The killer jerked the gun around toward him “I don’t trust you either You stay here by et my stuff”

Jake’s hands curled into fists Dependent on what she would do next, he chomped at the bit to make his move No matter how much he hated the fact, it was too early He only had one shot at this He had to wait for the perfectat the far end of the bar

“My brothers say I always talk when I’ht they were full of it, but looks like they’re right” Claire waved her hands in the air as she spoke and knocked the water hose froun soe”

“It’s supposed to, Baby Doll”

She clutched the hose as if to replace it on the handle Instead, she whipped the spout toward the gunman and let the water rip

The shot caught hiht in the mouth Startled, his head snapped back

“She’s got wicked aiun hand onto the bar He let out a satisfying grunt, but hung on to the gun

Determined to take the asshole out, Jake landed a solid elbow to the nose The un on the bar with a thunk It spun on the slick surface and fell to the floor

Jake folloith a right hook to the guy’s cheekbone A crunch greeted his ears

Claire stopped the water flow, but Jake didn’t slow his attack He grabbed the tweaker’s shirt and pulled him in close

The maniac had killed Kendall and terrorized Claire He’d destroyed the sense of safety and coht so hard to create Jake planned to enjoyhim pay

Blood leaked froreen shirt Jake leaned in until they were nearly nose to bloody nose “Nobody messes with Claire Got that?”