The Baby Assignment. Christy Barritt

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СКАЧАТЬ shuddered as scenarios rushed through her mind.

      He stepped closer, closer. Footsteps padded on carpet. Macy could hear him breathing, his inhales and exhales heavy and laced with adrenaline. Danger crackled in the air.

      She put a hand on Addie’s chest as the baby’s lips pulled downward like she might cry.

      Macy held her breath, hardly able to hear over the blood rushing in her ears.

      You can do this. You can do this.

      She sensed the gunman was closer. Only seconds away from spotting her.

      Just then, Addie let out a whimper.

      Macy had to take action. The gunman’s footsteps quickened, headed her way. She waited until his shadow blocked the light above her.

      Then she sprang from beneath the desk and flung the toner at him. Powder went into his eyes, and he howled with pain, bending over and turning in a partial circle.

      Quickly, Macy grabbed Addie, climbed from her hiding spot, and rushed toward the doorway. Before she got there, the man growled, “Stop right there.”

      His voice chilled her to the bone.

      Macy turned, anxiety stretching through each of her muscles. She kept Addie shielded and looked over her shoulder.

      Dear Lord, please protect us.

      The man wiped his eyes with one hand, but he held his gun with the other. The barrel was pointed straight at her. Malice stained his gaze as he stared at her and blood oozed from his shoulder.

      “Give me the baby,” he demanded.

      “No,” Macy said, holding Addie more closely.

      The baby whined again, and tears appeared in her eyes. The poor thing. Could she sense the danger in the air? Her agitation only compounded Macy’s stress.

      If Tanner wasn’t here now, he must be hurt. The only way he’d let this confrontation happen was over his dead body. The thought caused a lump to form in Macy’s throat.

      Moisture tried to rush to her eyes, but she held it back. This fight wasn’t over. Not yet.

      “Did you say no?”

      Macy pulled Addie closer. “Stay away from this baby.”

      His eyes narrowed. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, lady.”

      “You’re a monster.”

      “I’ll show you a monster if you don’t hand over the girl.”

      “No,” she repeated.

      “Have it your way.” He raised his gun toward Macy’s chest.

      Gunfire blasted through the air. Macy braced herself for the pain that she was certain would come.

      * * *

      Tanner stood in the doorway and watched the masked gunman collapse to the ground. He hadn’t wanted to shoot him, but he’d had no alternative. It was either the man died or Macy.

      The choice was a no-brainer.

      “Tanner?” Macy whispered.

      Macy’s stunned eyes met his. In four steps, he reached her, bypassing the gunman, now sprawled on the floor with blood gushing from his chest.

      Tanner kicked away the man’s gun and quickly checked him for any other weapons. There were none.

      He’d already confirmed that the other men he’d shot had fled, so they shouldn’t be any danger to Macy or Tanner right now.

      Despite all their past history, Macy fell into his arms, her limbs trembling and her eyes watery. The intensity of the moment had broken down their walls...at least temporarily. That situation would have shaken up the strongest of persons.

      Tanner had seen it in her eyes: Macy had thought she was going to die.

      He’d also seen her willingness to lose her life rather than give up Addie. It was admirable, but not surprising. Macy had always been unselfish.

      That was part of the reason why their breakup had been so difficult and hard to accept. So much about it still didn’t make sense.

      He held her another moment, relishing her familiar, clean scent. She still wore that perfume that smelled like fresh cotton. He’d missed it.

      Protect your heart, he reminded himself.

      Almost as if she could sense his thought—or as if she’d come to her senses—Macy stiffened in his arms.

      Addie’s cry turned into a wail, and they both stepped back. Macy drew in a deep breath and raised her chin, obviously trying to compose herself. Addie’s chubby fingers reached for Macy’s hair, her fingers tangling with the dark brown locks.

      Tanner knew that Macy hadn’t intended on touching him or letting him hold her. He could still read her like a book, even after all these years. The way she averted her gaze, looked away, rolled her shoulders back.

      He had to admit that it had felt good to have her in his arms again. Her hair, as she’d nestled under his chin, had felt soft, and she still fit so perfectly into his embrace.

      But it was all over now. There was no need to yearn for the past—not when it could never be re-created.

      “Are you okay?” he asked softly, keeping a hand on her arm to steady her.

      She nodded, bouncing Addie on her hip, but her trembling limbs belied the action.

      “I’m fine.” She blanched when she saw his arm.

      He looked down. Blood gushed from his biceps. It was only a surface wound, one that looked worse than it actually was. His adrenaline had been pumping so hard that he hadn’t noticed the injury.

      “You’re hurt.”

      He shrugged. “I’ve been through worse.”

      “What happened?”

      “Bullet.”

      Macy squeezed her eyes shut, as if she couldn’t stomach the thought of it. When she pulled her eyes open again, her gaze drifted downward to the man on the floor. “Is he...dead?”

      Tanner squatted and felt for a pulse on the man’s beefy neck. “Not yet, but almost.”

      She paled even more. “Who were they?”

      “I don’t know. There’s a lot we don’t know and a lot that doesn’t make sense.” He reached down and pulled the man’s mask off, anxious to see the concealed face.

      A Caucasian man, late twenties, short blond hair and a scar across his cheek stared back at him. Tanner had never seen the man before.

      “You СКАЧАТЬ