Taming London (Warwick Dragons #1) - Milly Taiden Page 0,59

only this waste of skin had been able to get the money I’m owed, none of this would be happening.” Rochelle shrugged, but it was feigned. He was furious. “Lead the way, Mr. Humphreys. It’s time for this to end.” Rochelle flipped the corner of tape back onto her mouth even as she tried to bite his fingers.

It wasn’t much of a defense, but it was something at least.

Leonard pushed her out of the house, and she watched in horror as he argued with London. The gun was pointed at her, and she knew that no amount of shifter speed would save her from a bullet.

London was way too far from her to save her should Leonard decide to shoot. More than that, London had no idea that Rochelle was in the house, armed and desperate to leave. Her eyes went from her lover to her despicable stepfather, desperately trying to figure out how she was going to get out of this.

The only break in stress she had was when James revealed himself to be the helicopter’s pilot. For one tiny moment, she thought they were saved.

She had been very wrong.

And that’s when Rochelle, with his bored and detached tone, said, “This is ridiculous. Shoot the girl.”

There was the loud crack of a gun being fired.

Bethany fell to her knees, her legs no longer able to support her.

She hadn’t been shot.

The mere sound of the gun so soon after hearing a kill order being spoken had rendered her a limp noodle. She couldn’t move from the ground, panting harshly through her gag.

London rushed toward her just as a small army of people, clad in black gear, burst out from every corner. She was so confused, but all she wanted was for London to hold her. It was the only way she would be convinced that she hadn’t died and that he hadn’t died. London knelt beside her and slowly eased her gag off as he bundled her up in his arms.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“James called Interpol. They knew where you were. They knew that Rochelle and Humphreys would be here. They were just a little late to the party, that’s all.”

“Who was shot?” she croaked.

London helped her sit up, but kept her in his arms. “No one. I’m guessing one of the agents fired into the air in hopes of scaring Humphreys. It was a gamble, but it worked. You’re fine.” London closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her forehead. “You’re fine,” he repeated. And he kept saying the words over and over again as he rocked their bodies to and fro. The motion was comforting. Or perhaps it was the close proximity to her dragon that offered so much relief.

A few feet away from her, an Interpol agent was handcuffing Leonard’s hands behind his back. He was dragged to his feet, and that’s when Bethany saw that the grown man had peed himself. Probably at the sound of the gunshot. It gave her some satisfaction.

“You’re a coward,” she spat at him. “You can have your wife killed and order my murder, but you hear a gun, and you piss yourself?” She shook her head as the agent led him away.

“Miss Russo?” An agent stepped forward. The woman was tall and willowy. Her smooth black hair was slicked back into a bun. “I’m Agent Amy Porath with Interpol. I know you’ve been through an ordeal, but we need to talk.”

“Can she have a minute?” London asked, protectively closing his arms around her.

“No, I’m okay. I mean, I’m not. But if you need something…”

Agent Porath gave her a smile. “Thanks. I just want to let you know that we’re charging Leonard Humphreys with the murder of your mother, the attempted murder of his wife Lucille as well as yours. We’ve added kidnapping for both you and Lucille as well as racketeering, money laundering, and a slew of other charges.”

“Why Interpol?” Bethany asked.

“Because he’s British and committed a crime in the US. As well as in a few other countries. Besides, he also hired our number one threat. His dealings with Rochelle automatically involved us.”

“Oh. Right. And I mean…is there going to be a trial? Because my phone has been in my back pocket, recording this whole time.”

If Agent Porath had been smiling at her warmly before, it was nothing to the grateful one she gave her then. “You’re a brilliant woman. And no, there will not be a trial, not like you would think of, anyway. This is way