Take (Fury Brothers #4)

Then silence. All I could hear was the wind in the trees, and some birds chittering. It was hard to make myself wait. I leaned back against the tree trunk, counting to ten.

Reath was coming. Linc was tough. He’d be okay.

I rose and took off walking, fast. I tried to be as quiet as possible.

I hurried through the park and expected someone to shout or spot me.

Get out of the park. Hide. Wait for Reath.

It was a decent plan. I wanted these men, these criminals, stopped. I tripped over a stick and stumbled.

Focus, Frankie.

“Ms. Parker?” The shout echoed through the trees, and I froze.

“We have your friend.” The voice was accented. French. He sounded like he was trying to be friendly.

They had Lincoln. No. My pulse raced.

“If you don’t come out, I’ll put a bullet in his brain.”

I gasped. No. No. No.

“His death will be on you.”

Anger exploded inside me. Manipulative bastard. He threatened to kill someone, and I was the one to blame?

My gaze narrowed, and I moved quietly back in the direction I’d come. I stuck to the thickest line of trees.

He called out my name again and I knew I was getting closer.

If they had Linc, I couldn’t leave him.

So, what’s your plan, Frankie? The voice echoed in my head.

I had no clue.

I crept closer.

Through the branches I saw two men and…dammit. I bit my lip. Linc was on his knees on the ground, his head bowed. He was bleeding even worse now.

“She won’t come out,” the bigger thug said.

The other man swiveled. He was lean, with a handsome face and short, dark hair. He lifted his head, and I instantly changed my mind.

He had a mean look. A blank, hard glow in his eyes. He was a man who liked to hurt people. A man who’d killed before.

He was clearly the guy in charge. It radiated off him.

Think, think.

I circled around. I knew Reath would be pissed, but I had to do something to help Lincoln.

I spotted a thick stick on the grass and snatched it up. My hands curled around the rough bark. I had a brown belt in judo. I wasn’t helpless. But I was well aware that I was better with defense, not offense. Especially when my opponents were bigger and stronger. On the other hand, I was skilled and smart.

And scared.

I grabbed a rock, then counted to three. I tossed it as far as I could.