Hollywood Flirt - Alexa Aston Page 0,98

the house is protected and the back entrance is secured. The rest of us will have eyes from the front. You need to go be with your brother, Dash.”

“The hell I will,” he ground out. “Herc will be safe with your people. I need to be here for Sydney.”

Bruce reined in his frustration. “Then stay out of our way. Don’t move. Don’t react. Let me run this show and let my guys handle things.” He glanced back at the screen. “They’re a block away, people. Show time.”

Every person in the room except Dash had pulled out a sidearm. The great room had several windows and security team members lined the sides of each window. He froze in the center of the room, where he had a good view of his front drive.

Sure enough, a dusty sedan pulled up thirty seconds later. Dash held his breath as the driver’s door opened and Wake Marshall climbed out.

With a gun in his hand.

“Weapon,” Bruce growled.

Tension filled the air. Dash watched Marshall come around the front of the car until he reached the passenger side. He motioned with his free hand for Sydney to join him. She opened it slowly and got out, slamming the door.

Then it seemed to Dash that everything occurred in slow motion. Sydney took a couple of steps toward Wake and latched on to his wrist, forcing his gun hand up in the air. A shot rang out. She centered her body and quickly brought her foot around from behind her, her hip and knee moving together in a horizontal arc. She extended her knee at the last moment, striking Wake hard with the ball of her foot as she connected with his exposed ribs.

Wake cried out and brought his hands to the spot of impact, the gun falling as Sydney spun and repeated the action. This time, the kick was aimed for her captor’s head. Wake never saw it coming. His head snapped back as his body crumpled. Sydney scooped the gun from the ground and pointed it at her motionless ex.

Suddenly, chaos occurred. Five or six men appeared on the sidewalk as the security team in the house poured out the doors and others raced up the sidewalk. Wake Marshall was dragged to his feet.

Bruce whistled low as he punched in a number on his phone. “That long-legged girl’s got game. Those were powerhouse round kicks. Sydney must practice Tae Kwon Do.”

Dash broke out in a grin, remembering how Sydney had once told him she wasn’t a runner but she enjoyed doing Tae Kwon Do. “She does. Excuse me.”

He ran out of the room as he heard Bruce saying, “911. I’ve got an emergency.”

Outside, Dash saw Sydney handing over the gun. Her extended hand shook like a leaf about to be blown from a tree on a blustery day. He approached her cautiously as someone threw a blanket around her shoulders. By the time he reached her, her teeth were chattering despite the summer heat rising from the sidewalk.

“Sydney?” he said softly.

She turned, her green eyes looking dazed. “Dash?”

“I’m here, babe.” He enveloped her in his arms, her trembling body cold to the touch. His body heat would warm her. His touch would bring her back around. Dash could feel her heart pounding against his chest.

“Dash?” she asked again, meeting his eyes. He saw uncertainty there, which angered him. Whatever Wake Marshall had done to put it there, Dash would remove.

“You’re safe, Syd. With me. They have Wake. The police are on the way.” In the distance, he could hear the sirens.

“You’re talking to me,” she said, amazement in her voice. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Of course, I’m talking to you. Why wouldn’t I want to talk to the woman I love?” He kissed her forehead tenderly.

“You . . . you don’t hate me?” she asked.

“Why would I hate you, babe? You’re my whole world.”

“But I . . . but I . . . I came here today. Wake saw me. That . . . that put Herc in danger.”

Suddenly, Dash understood. “Oh, honey, I don’t blame you for anything. Wake Marshall is the one to blame. You didn’t do a thing wrong. I could never hate you. I love you.”

“You do?”

“You bet I do.” He paused. “Some people may think I’m sucking up to my boss but you and I know what’s real. You and me, Syd. We’re real. What we’ve got is real. We belong together. I can’t imagine a day—even a minute—without you in my