Free FEARLESS by Helen Kay Dimon

a snap and tucked the slim end into his back pocket. Next, he motioned for her to duck down. The textured floor was rough against her palms and bruised knee, but she didn’t say a word. Couldn’t.
    Tucked against the seats behind the ship’s wheel, she made her body as small as possible. Davis didn’t have that luxury. With those shoulders, his body could only get so little.
    Footsteps echoed against the bow lightly, but in the dead quiet of the night the still air carried the sound. Water lapped against the side of the boat, and all the associated clangs and dings continued, but the squeak of a step still stood out now that she was listening for it.
    That put the attacker maybe ten feet away and slightly above them. The marina safety lighting hit the back of the boat and also highlighted their whereabouts. This guy had the clear advantage. And there could be more than one of him.
    Davis pushed his palm against the small door under the seat in front of them and made a face when it clicked out loud. With quick and efficient movements, he drew something out. It didn’t flash under the light, but she knew what it was. A gun, probably one of many hidden on the boat.
    Back when they’d been together Davis had been adamant she know about weapons. Cleaning, firing, storing. He’d gone over the routines several times. He’d insisted the lessons were about more than simple self-protection. If he kept guns in the house, she needed to understand as much as possible about them or risk being a victim.
    He touched a light hand to her lower back. “Get off the boat.” The husky whisper blended into the sounds of the marina.
    Her stomach ached as if she’d been kicked repeatedly. “You mean both of us.”
    “Eventually.” He put a finger against his lips and raised his head enough to see something that had him ducking again.
    She loved the big protective alpha-male thing. But she hated the idea of leaving him behind. Knowing he was in danger would freeze her to the dock. The rib injuries and long day of fighting might prove too much for him to overcome.
    Thinking to call in reinforcements, she slipped her hand into her pocket to grab her cell, until she remembered she’d left it on the table below deck. The only thing she had with her was a springy pink hair tie. Nothing helpful about that.
    Davis signaled for her to slip over the side. “Stay low. I’ll stand to draw fire.”
    Her breathing actually shuddered. “Terrible plan.”
    “Go.”
    Her mind raced to find another solution. He was the expert, but she couldn’t let him make this sacrifice or take on this danger. Her gaze bounced around the deck until she felt his hand against her elbow. He gave her a sharp shake of his head and pointed to his right.
    Nothing subtle about his orders this time. His stern frown suggested he was ready to throw her over the side.
    Because his attention should be on the bad guy, she gave in. She glanced over and tried to see the dock from her position. It fell out of her line of vision. She knew a six-foot drop should put her on a stable walkway, and she could run from there. But without the ladder or anything to break her fall, it was going to hurt. Not the best solution but maybe her only one.
    Crouching on the balls of her feet, she didn’t have much traction. She shifted to get her balance as a thud vibrated next to her ear. She looked up just as the attacker reached down and grabbed her. Her scream cut off when he wrapped his arms around her chest, stealing her air.
    In the time it took for his face to register in her brain, he’d lifted her off her feet and had her pressed against him as a shield. Heat radiated off of him and a subtle vibration moved through him. She chalked it up to some sort of sick evil energy.
    He was dressed all in black with his face partially covered by a hood, but she still recognized him. He’d made the trip from Capitol Hill to finish the job.
    He pressed a knife against her throat as Davis got to his