Free Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1) by Chantel Rhondeau Page A

have no effect. Hot blood dripping from his face coated
them both. Carlie twisted and turned, hoping the slick liquid would
loosen his grip. She felt faint from lack of oxygen and didn’t know
how much longer she could hold out. Colors faded and her arms were
leaden. Every punch sapped energy she couldn’t spare.
    It was the wrong tactic to try to fight him.
She should have screamed her head off the second she got away. No
longer able to lift her arms, she twisted desperately, hungering
for air.
    Knowing he had the victory, but apparently
not wanting it too soon, Stephen loosened his grip marginally and
Carlie sucked in a shallow breath. He drove his knee into her
stomach three times in rapid succession then released her.
    She slid down the wall. Blood rushed back,
roaring in her ears as it pulsated through her head. It was over.
She couldn’t fight him, not anymore. So much for standing up for
herself. Carlie closed her eyes, barely having energy to take small
breaths in past her raw throat.
    His hands closed around her again. She
struggled weakly, but all hope was gone.
    Carlie wondered if her new friends would
miss her. The date with Nick had been the best she'd ever had. She
concentrated on the image of his brooding eyes, trying to find a
happy place while she waited for death.
    ***
    Nick squealed the Porsche’s tires as he tore
into the parking lot. He jerked the car into a spot near Carlie’s
Camry. Stephen definitely had her at his mercy.
    Barely taking time to shut off the engine,
he flung open the door and raced up the sidewalk. Tension consumed
him. Even if Carlie was guilty, this wasn’t the way to handle the
case. He hoped he got inside before she was hurt.
    Without knocking, Nick tried the handle on
Stephen’s apartment, which turned readily in his hand. He shoved it
open and strode into the living room. A small moan drew his
attention and Nick stepped down the hallway.
    The image of Carlie on the ground, Stephen’s
hands around her neck, blood covering her face, prodded him into
action. He ran toward them, putting all his momentum into a kick
against Stephen’s chin. Stephen’s head snapped back and he fell to
the ground. Carlie gasped loudly, but didn’t open her eyes.
    Though dazed, Stephen tried to stand up, but
fell against the wall, blinking his eyes in an owl-like fashion.
Nick leapt over Carlie and gripped Stephen’s head in one hand and
his chin in the other. Blood pounded behind Nick’s temples. He’d
never been so close to losing control. One twist and Stephen would
never bother Carlie again.
    “Nick.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but
it called him to his senses.
    He slammed Stephen against the wall behind
them, giving a quick chop to his neck. Stephen twitched, but didn’t
try to get up again. It pleased Nick to note the bastard looked
almost as bad as Carlie. She hadn’t gone down without a fight.
    Making his way to Carlie, Nick dropped to
his knees and took her hand in his, not sure where else he could
touch her without causing pain. “Hang on. I’m going to call an
ambulance.” That would probably piss Paul off, because there would
be more records to delete, but Nick didn’t give a shit right about
now.
    Her hand tightened against his. “Please, no,
don’t.” Her voice was weak and a deep cough wracked her body,
ending in a wheezy breath. “I’m okay, but they’ve found me. Protect
me. Get me out of here.”
    Did she know the government was after her?
“Who found you?”
    “The killers.” She made an effort to open
her eyes, though they appeared weighted down and she wasn’t quite
focused. “The police can’t know who I am. I need your help.”
    Nick ground his teeth together, hating that
Paul’s plan was effective. Carlie just let him into the inner
circle. “You need a doctor.”
    She shook her head gently. “Most of the
blood is his. I’m dazed, but I think I’m okay. Take me somewhere
safe, please. I can’t fight them. I was wrong.”
    He scooped her