Devoted Defender Read Online Free PDF Page B

and it will be much more painful. Do you understand me?”
    She nodded in response as she frantically tried to think about her options. She was absolutely no match for this man who appeared to be a trained killer. But she refused to just give up as she sent up another prayer.
    As his grip tightened on her neck, she had a decision to make. Because if she didn’t try to resist now, she’d be dead within the next minute.
    With all the strength she could muster up, she picked up her right foot and slammed it down onto his left. Then she repeated the same move.
    He grunted but he probably had at least a hundred pounds on her. There was no chance she could actually prevail in a fight with this man. She feared that he could break her neck with one swift movement.
    “You shouldn’t have done that,” he said. He loosened his grip for a fraction of a second.
    But it was enough time for her to break free and hop back grabbing a large knife from the counter. Feeling like a cornered animal, she jabbed the knife toward him when he approached her.
    But he was too fast and strong and was able to get the knife away from her. He lifted his arm, ready to strike. She shrieked.
    “Don’t move!”
    She looked up and saw Caleb behind the assailant—his gun drawn.
    “Drop the knife and turn around slowly,” Caleb commanded. “Very slowly.”
    Annie realized she was holding her breath and she let it out. She watched as the man dropped the knife.
    “Good,” Caleb said. “Now turn around with your hands up.”
    The man started to turn slowly as Caleb had directed. But then he reached into his jacket and before Annie could even process what was happening, the man pulled out a gun. But Caleb reacted even faster. A gunshot rang out as Annie crouched down by the counter. She peered up after a minute. She heard a groaning sound. The man was on the ground. Shot. But still alive.
    She could hear Caleb calling in backup. Her entire body was shaking but she forced herself to keep it together. That had been way too close. Thank you, Lord.
    “Annie, are you okay?” Caleb asked.
    “Yes.” But she was really far from it.
    “Stay put until I can deal with him. The bullet just grazed him I think.”
    She took a seat in the corner of the kitchen and wrapped her arms tightly around her body. She realized she was probably in a bit of shock. The next few minutes went by in a blur as another officer arrived on the scene along with paramedics. Then Caleb came over to her.
    “We need to get you checked out.”
    She shook her head. “I’m not really injured.”
    “By the look of the marks on your neck, I’d say otherwise.”
    She touched her neck and could feel the tender spots. But the thought of going to a hospital unsettled her. “Please,” she said, “I don’t want to go back to the hospital.”
    His eyes softened and he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. “Let the paramedics check you out. It won’t take them long. And then you’re going to stay at my place. I have plenty of extra space. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be alone at the Inn.”
    “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”
    “You aren’t imposing. Today showed that it’s not safe for you to be by yourself.”
    She grabbed onto his arm. “Thank you. You just saved my life. Again.”
    **
    “Here we are,” Caleb said.
    She took in a deep breath as he pulled the unmarked SUV up into his driveway. She couldn’t believe she was going to be staying with a police officer. But Caleb had shown himself to be fiercely protective and loyal thus far and she had run out of options. They’d stopped by the Inn and picked up her stuff.
    “This is your house?” Annie stared in awe up at the historic two-story home with the large front porch and tall white columns.
    “Yes, it is. Gabby stays here sometimes when she’s in town but she has her own apartment. She does a bit of traveling for her job. Your car is in the garage. One of my officers picked it up from the