The Troubleshooter (Norcross #2) - Anna Hackett Page 0,1
than that.”
“I’ll talk to her.” Gia emphasized the words. “He’ll get his gems back.”
“I think it’s better if you come with me. Your life might convince your friend.”
The man exploded upward. He knocked the gun out of Gia’s hand and it clattered to the stone paving.
Crap.
He rushed her. Gia dodged, well aware that he was bigger and stronger than her.
But Gia was smarter.
He reached for her, pushing against her shoulder. She let herself stagger and let out a gasp.
He grabbed a handful of her dress. Better not ruin it, asshole. “Please… Please don’t hurt me.” She made herself cower.
“Come without any trouble and—”
Gia rammed the side of her stiff palm into his throat. He let her go and gagged.
She jammed her thumbs into his eyes and he growled, doubling over. Next, she grabbed his head and rammed her knee up, smashing into his nose.
She heard a crunch, and he cursed viciously.
She had to admit to feeling a bit of satisfaction. She’d always hated bullies who intimidated with their size.
She looked for her gun. Where the hell was it? Spotting the glint of something in the low light, she raced for it.
There was a bellow behind her, and the man charged. He tackled her, and they hit the ground hard.
The air whooshed out of Gia and pain exploded in a dozen places. Ow.
“Bitch, you’ll pay for that.”
She struggled, kicking at him. He was half on her body, pinning her down. Her dress hampered her movement. “You came after me, and you’re pissed I fought back? Grow up.”
He rose, and picked her up like a football, pinning her to his side. He let out an annoyed grunt.
He strode across the courtyard, skirting some construction work where a low stone wall was being rebuilt.
“You don’t want to do this,” she said. “You really don’t want to meet my brothers.” Speaking of her brothers, where the hell were they?
The bad guy grunted.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she said breezily.
“Shut up,” he bit out.
She tried to elbow him.
He reached over and slapped her face. Ouch. She pressed a hand to her cheek. Asshole.
The attack came out of nowhere.
There was the tiniest flash of movement and suddenly Gia was free. She hit the ground, landing on her hands and knees.
Her assailant staggered back, and a tall, dark, lean shadow attacked him.
Gia’s heart leaped into her throat. She watched the vicious kicks and methodical punches. Her rescuer was almost elegant in the way he moved as he destroyed his opponent.
Except there was too much brutal power in his blows to be elegant.
Even in the darkness, she knew who it was.
She swallowed an inner groan. Of course, it had to be him. The bane of her existence. Her nemesis.
A shaft of light caught his face.
It was a hell of a face. Saxon Buchanan was not one of her brothers. He was her brother Vander’s best friend, and Gia had known him half her life.
He was tall, with a muscled body that almost hid his strength. His collection of well-cut suits—which included the designer tuxedo he currently wore—disguised just how muscular and strong he was. It somehow minimized his broad shoulders and powerful legs. Her gaze moved back to his face.
Saxon had been in the military with Vander. He was from a wealthy, San Francisco family that went back generations, and they’d forbidden him to join the Army. He went anyway.
Saxon made his own rules.
He finished hitting her attacker and the man curled into a ball on the ground.
Saxon’s head lifted, his gaze on her. The light caught his hair, and she couldn’t decide if it was dark blond, or golden brown.
“You have some explaining to do,” he said.
She sniffed.
His good breeding showed in the most handsome face she’d ever seen— strong jaw, straight nose, aristocratic features, and green eyes. Those eyes flared. He strode toward her and grabbed her forearms.
His long fingers on her skin sent a sizzle of sensation up her arms. She gasped. “I just needed some air.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Now isn’t the time for clever words and games, Gia.”
“Everything’s fine. I had it under control.”
Saxon made a harsh sound. “Under control? He was about to carry you out of here.”
Wow, Saxon was really pissed. He was usually Mr. Cool and Suave, so it was interesting to see the tension in his face and body.
“It was fine.” Damn, he had a habit of seeing her at her worst and rubbing it in.
He snorted. “What have you gotten yourself mixed up in?”
“None of