Free Uncovering His SECRET by Crystal Perkins

the
gunman peeks inside. I swing down and wrap my legs around him,
dropping him into the elevator shaft. He gets off a few more shots as
he falls, but I manage to avoid them as I swing out into the lobby.
Two guns are pointed at me as I land, but neither person sees Darcy
behind the guy on my left until it’s too late. She takes him down,
while I dispose of his friend.
    We make our way up the
spiral staircase with our guns drawn, speeding up when we hear a
scream. I burst into the room, knowing that I can’t let anything
happen to Brad, even if I get hurt myself. He was a big part of the
support system that kept me going during my darkest hours. I owe him
so much, and I won’t let anything happen to him.
    The first thing I see
when I enter the room is Yasmin Griffin lying on the floor. I thought
it was her scream, but I couldn’t be sure. Isa’s with her,
pressing her shirt to a wound in Yasmin’s side, while a stunning
blonde holds a gun to Brad’s temple. There are two other women with
guns in the room, but I know Darcy can handle them.
    “The pageant called.
It wants its hair back,” I tell the blonde, purposely trying to
keep her distracted while Isa gets her gun out.
    “Bless your heart,”
she responds.
    “You can come up with
a better insult than that,” I reply, letting some Texas back into
my voice.
    “If you were worth my
time, I probably could.”
    “You shouldn’t
underestimate me. It never works out well for anyone who does.”
    “I’ll take my
chances.”
    “That’s your first
mistake,” I say as I shoot her in the arm, thanking God that Brad
is able to drop to the floor and get out of the way as all Hell
breaks loose.
    Faith comes through the
door, guns blazing, leaving Isa and Darcy to take care of Yasmin. I
crack my neck and motion for Blondie to bring it. I know we need to
keep her alive to question her, but I need to fuck her up just a
little bit.
    “What are you going
to do to me?”
    “Hurt you. Just like
you hurt my friend.”
    “We just used her as
a lesson. Hall wasn’t cooperating.”
    “Hall men rarely do.”
    “I need his nephew.”
    “Join the club.”
    “You want the
formula, too?” she asks, her eyes widening.
    “No, I just want the
man. But just like you can’t have his formula, I can’t have him.”
    “Maybe I should be
taking you instead of his uncle.”
    “Please try. Pretty
please with a cherry on top.”
    “You’re crazy.”
    “That’s one of the
nicest things anyone has ever said to me.” At her look of shock, I
continue. “No, really. You’d think I was a direct descendent of
Hester Prynne with all the shade thrown my way. I’d have been
burned at the stake long ago if that kind of thing was still legal.”
    “I can’t compete
with that. At all. Just go ahead and take me in.”
    “No fight?”
    “Um, no. I’m
actually a little freaked out and scared by you.”
    “You keep saying
those nice things, and I’ll think you have a crush on me.”
    “Can someone else
arrest me? Anyone else?” she looks around, pleadingly. I love
messing with pageant girls. Always have, and probably always will.
    “I’ve got her,
Teeg,” Faith tells me with a laugh.
    “Fine. Take away my
fun. But don’t worry, Beauty Queen. I’ll be seeing you again
soon. You can think of some more pretty things to say to me while
we’re apart.”
    “Is she for real?”
she asks Faith as she’s led out of the room.
    “Yep. There’s not
one fake thing about her.”
    I smile cheekily as I
turn back to Brad. He’s smiling right back at me. “You sure know
how to clear a room, my dear.”
    “I’ve had a lot of
practice.”
    “I know.”
    “Are you okay?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m going to go to
the hospital with Yasmin, then.” I turn to where she’s being
loaded onto a gurney by the EMTs who arrived a few minutes ago. “Can
you take Brad to my place, Darcy?”
    “I’m not going into
hiding.”
    “Yes. You are. You’re
the closest thing I’ve had to a father for