Free COLE (Dragon Security Book 1) by Glenna Sinclair Page B

weaving around us. I looked around, trying to figure out how I could stop them before they got to an exit. Once they were outside, Amber would be gone—and I couldn’t allow that to happen. That’s when I saw the swinging doors that were supposed to keep customers from wandering down hallways containing nothing more than janitors’ closets and executive offices.
    I moved faster, navigating the stroller up and around them. Just as we came even with the swinging doors, I slammed the side of my hand into the man’s Adam’s apple, instantly knocking the air from his throat. Then I followed with a quick blow to the top of his wrist, grabbing the gun as I pushed him back through the swinging doors. At the same instant, Amber grabbed the stroller I’d let go of and followed.
    The man lay sprawled on the ground as I held the gun level with a spot right between his eyes.
    “Who are you?”
    The guy was holding his throat, clearly struggling to catch his breath. I didn’t fucking care. I kicked him in the thigh.
    “Who are you? What were you doing with Amber?”
    The guy shook his head, touching his mouth to show he couldn’t speak.
    “Where were you taking her?”
    He still couldn’t speak.
    I glanced at Amber. She’d taken the baby from his stroller and was cradling him against her chest, her face drained of color. I held the gun with one hand and gestured for her to come to me with the other. I touched her face, grasped her jaw and made her turn slightly so that I could see that she was okay. Then I studied the length of her body, searching for any sign of injury.
    “I’m okay.”
    She didn’t sound okay. Her voice was weak and shaky.
    “What happened?”
    She glanced at the guy, but looking at him made her shudder a little as she tugged the baby closer to her chest.
    “I was coming out of the dressing room, and he shoved the gun into my back. He said I should be quiet, or he’d put a bullet in my spine before anyone could do anything about it.”
    “Where was he taking you?”
    Amber shook her head. “That’s all he said.”
    I kicked the guy and leaned close to him, pressing the gun to the center of his forehead. “Where were you taking her?”
    He spit, narrowly missing the sleeve of my shirt. I hit him, slamming the barrel of the gun against the side of his head. He was out cold before I was done with the follow through.
    “What are we going to do?” Amber demanded.
    I tugged my phone out of the back of my pocket and pressed the speed dial that would connect me with Megan’s company.
    “Phoenix,” I said the moment the call was picked up. Seconds later, Sam’s voice filled my ear. “What’s up?”
    “Some guy just tried to drag Amber out of the mall at gunpoint.”
    Sam was quiet for a second. Then she was all-professional.
    “What’s his condition?”
    “He’s unconscious.”
    “And Amber?”
    “Safe.”
    “Okay. I’m sending help. Hang tight.”
    I tucked the gun into the back of my jeans and pulled Amber into my arms. For a moment, she rested her head against my chest and let me run my hands down the length of her back. But then the baby fussed and she pulled away, her eyes turned from me.
    What did I have to do to prove to her that I meant her no harm?

Chapter 11
     
    Amber
    I watched Megan pace in front of her desk. There wasn’t a lot of space in her office. In fact, it was nothing like I’d imagined it would be all the months I tried to get up the courage to come here. I imagined a huge office with big windows and a full bar. Instead, it was just a narrow little room off to the side of the reception area. No bigger than my bedroom back at the trailer.
    I don’t know what that said about Megan, but I found it oddly impressive.
    “I have Dominic interviewing the man from the mall,” Megan announced to no one in particular. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to get something out of him.”
    I glanced back at Cole. He was leaning against the back wall, watching his sister pace with a