Expired Getaway (Last Chance County #7) - Lisa Phillips Page 0,93

glanced around. “Enrico isn’t here?”

“That guy knows where he is.” She pointed at the one who’d tried to stab her. “And that is on his way.”

“Great.” Millie turned away. “Eric! Capeira is on his way here!”

Bridget had enough energy left in her only to sit and watch the FBI run a sting operation. She looked at her phone and saw a text, a photo of a little girl she’d only seen from a distance.

She read the message under it.

And froze.

Thirty-one

Aiden played along. All the way to being forced into his armchair recliner while he watched the guy take out a syringe. How long was it going to take the PD to send a couple of officers? Even one unit would do. Just a distraction, so Aiden could rush this guy and tackle him for his gun. It would hurt however he did it, so he wasn’t too worried about the methodology of his plan.

As long as Sydney remained safe—and preferably unaware she’d ever been in danger—he hardly cared how he fared.

Aiden started to worry his emergency call hadn’t gone through. That no one from the Last Chance Police Department was coming to help him.

As the guy prepped the syringe, he loosely held his gun pointed at Aiden. Aiden’s mind raced to figure out a back-up plan. If no one from the department showed up to distract this guy, then he had no idea how to…

With a low growl, Butch ran into the room. His whole body shook as he lifted his front paws off the ground and landed in time with each reverberation of his throaty woof.

Aiden didn’t hesitate to utilize the distraction.

He ran at the guy and slammed into his middle, head ducked. Arms in. The guy landed first, Aiden on top. The second his breath expelled from his lungs, Aiden got his forearm across the guy’s throat. With his other hand, he grasped the wrist holding the gun. “Drop it.”

“I’d comply if I were you.” Frees stepped into the room.

Basuto showed up right behind him. Both had their guns raised, questioning looks on their faces.

“Took you guys long enough.”

Butch got ready to bark again. Aiden sent him a sharp glance. “Butch, go lay down.”

The dog turned, walked to the corner where Sydney had insisted they set down a blanket for him, and lay down with his muzzle on his crossed front paws.

Aiden exhaled and his whole body sagged as he fought the urge to collapse. “You’re a good boy. Yes, you are.”

“Are you talking to the dog?”

He glanced at Frees. “Considering he did your job? Yeah, I am.”

Basuto cracked a smile.

“You guys wanna secure this man for me?”

Basuto’s smile grew to a chuckle. “What do you think, Frees?”

“Meh.” The officer ambled forward despite his vocalization and kicked the gun from the guy’s hand.

Aiden flipped him to his front and held the guy’s hands while Frees secured them with a set of cuffs. Thankfully, he didn’t struggle. Aiden wasn’t sure he had it in him to contend with a man who didn’t want to get arrested.

Given the guy’s face when Frees hauled him to his feet, Aiden figured he was simply biding his time and planned to renew his fight later. Aiden patted him down, found a wallet, and handed it to Frees.

“Save that energy to fight your case in court.” Aiden didn’t need to wind up in witness protection. He could hardly plead with Bridget to go into WITSEC with him, though maybe she would now that she knew about Sydney. For the sake of not losing her again. Still, the last thing he wanted to do was be moved across the country where he’d have to take an assumed name. Not to mention he’d never be able to work in law enforcement again.

The guy glared at him.

“You tried. You failed.” He didn’t need this guy making it personal.

“You heard him.” Frees gave the guy a slight shake from the grip he had on the man’s elbow. “Nothing more for you to do but wait for your day in front of a judge.”

Aiden planned to be there so he could explain to everyone present exactly how close he’d come to being this guy’s next deadly target.

He ran his hands down his face. This was a man who took out everyone who opposed him. He didn’t want to hear any more about him or what he had going on with the drug trade in town.

“Get him out of here, Officer Frees.” Basuto moved past Frees, coming into the living