Page 42 of Light on Love
She opens her mouth to ask him what he’s doing when she notices the rigidness of his body, and over his shoulder, she sees a figure moving in the dark.Laurel’s breath catches in her throat, understanding now why Brett has positioned them this way. He’s put himself between her and the person in the hall.
A cold cackle escapes from the intruder stepping through the doorway. The person opens their mouth to speak, voice dripping with malice, “this is so much better than I could have ever imagined.”
Laurel feels her blood run cold. She recognizes the voice.The intruder flicks on the light to reveal himself as Harrison, Captain Ireland’s personal assistant. The man that had cornered her in the parking lot to try to keep her from coming to Brett for protection. The man now pointing a gun at Brett’s chest.
Her thoughts flash to her profile, he fits it. A person that is surrounded by war fighters but isn’t one himself. His actions would always be overshadowed. As an assistant that never leaves the base for his role, never gets to prove his perceived abilities, it makes sense.
“How the fuck,” Brett spits the words out like venom. She presses tighter against his back, needing to feel closer to him. Harrison remains in the doorway, a smile curling his lip. The look on his face can only be described as vile.
“How’d I get in here? How’d I stump theall-knowing, all-powerfulBrett Hayes? You got too relaxed. I used your little festivities tonight to go right in the front entrance unnoticed. It was easy with everyone coming and going, and apparently with you busy playing grab-ass. I waited for everyone to leave, waited long enough to assume you fell asleep. What really confused me, was when I found the guest room empty. I tried the door across the hall and here we are, much to my delight. The textbook, legendary war fighterfuckingthe asset. I mean,come on!”
Laurel feels like she is going to be sick. This is her fault. She insisted on the gathering, she lost track of why she was here and dragged Brett down with her. Panic continues to grow in her, there’s no way they make it out of this without Brett being at least injured taking down Harrison from this position. They’re too vulnerable.
“I’m going to kill you,” is Brett’s only response to Harrison’s speech. His voice icy.
“No see here’s the thing, I’m going to kill you,BrettHayes.”Laurel doesn’t miss the way he spits out Brett’s name. “Man, that feels good to say. I’m going to kill Brett Hayes! You think you’re untouchable, walking around like no one can measure up to you. Remember that time I asked you to help me train for BUD/S? You said no. What, you didn’t think I was worthy of your energy? Too far below you?”
“I was a little busy running a damn team. You never even qualified for BUD/S. Captain said you never would because of some health thing. Now I’m glad I didn’t give a piece of shit like you my energy.”
There it is, the personal hatred that is here for Harrison, knowing Brett is something he’ll never be.But Laurel knows Brett’s response, the insult, will only fuel Harrison further. She needs to try to defuse the situation.
Harrison waves the gun at them, “but I’m good enough to get the drop on you. You’re vulnerable. I’m sure you’ve got a gun, or multiple guns more likely, hidden in this room. You can’t reach for them, though. Not without me putting you down. So, either I kill you and take her with me, or she comes with me, and you stay put.”
“There is no way she’s—”
“I’ll go,” Laurel cuts Brett off.
“No!”he twists to face her, panic in his eyes.
As she cups his jaw, tears beginning to run down her face. “I have to go. I can’t let him hurt you, I won’t.”
She kisses him with urgency then moves to step out of the bed. Brett reaches for her, but she’s just out of his grasp. Forcing herself to not look at Brett’s face, Laurel steps onto the floor. She refuses to glance back, out of fear she won’t be able to walk away from him if she does. Laurel had been sleeping in Brett’s t-shirt and is now locating pants to slide on.
“Please,” Brett’s voice comes out fragmented with fear. “Please Laurel, don’t go with him. Please.”
She has her jeans on now and stops to wipe the tears from her eyes as they flow freely. “I can’t let anything happen to you,” she explains through the sobs.
“This is touching but let’s go already,” Harrison cuts in sounding bored. He waves the gun impatiently once again andLaurel wills her legs to move to the doorway, despite their feeling like lead weights.
“Please, I can’t let anything happen toyou. Don’t go, let me force his hand. Give me a chance, honey!”
Laurel is sobbing now at Brett’s pleads, hesitating in front of the bed. But she is close enough that Harrison can reach out with his free hand and grab her. He pulls her in front of his body, wrapping his arm around her neck.
Brett speaks again, softer this time.“I love you. Please.”
At Brett’s admission, Harrison lowers his hand holding the gun, a surprised look on his face. “This is too much. Did you just say you loved her?” He throws his head back and laughs. “Exposing your weakness, huh? You’ve lost your touch, Hayes.”
Laurel doesn’t hesitate now that his gun is pointed away from Brett’s chest. Brett loves her. And he taught her what to do in this situation, told her this would be the most important move to remember. He was right.
She slides her hands up between her neck and Harrison’s arm, twisting out just as Brett had showed her. Before Harrison can react, she brings her knee up and drives it into his groin. Harrison slaps her across the face in anger, the force sending her to the ground.
She’s stunned for a moment, in disbelief that he slapped her of all things. As she moves to get up and defend herself once again, the sound of a gunshot rips through the air.
Laurel’s head jolts up. Her eyes wide as she looks to Brett, fear that he’s been shot seizing her ability to breathe. But he’s there, kneeling up on the bed. His shirtless chest is intact, no sign of a wound. That’s when Laurel notices in the gun in his hand.
She’s unsure where he pulled it from, but all that she can think about is that he’s okay.He’s okay, he’s not shot. She thenturns to see Harrison on the ground beside her, a pool of dark blood forming around him.
What feels like forever, has only been mere seconds. And Brett moves quickly, taking the firearm from Harrison’s grasp and ensuring he’s dead. When he’s satisfied, Brett drops to the ground beside Laurel, wrapping her in his arms. She tucks herself into his embrace, clasping her hands around his neck.