The Jaguar’s eyes never left Cutter as he got down on the floor. The pain was so bad Mattie could barely breathe. It was as if every bone in her body had been broken. Even though Cutter had taken control of the situation, she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to explode.
When The Jaguar was down on the floor, Cutter went to her. He touched her face with one hand as he worked the straps with the other. “What can I do?”
“Antidote.” Groaning in pain, she lifted her hand to point. “There.”
Cutter snatched the syringe. Expertly thumbing off the cap, he set the needle against her shoulder and injected the antidote.
The pain dulled almost instantly. Though still hurting, Mattie at least felt as if she could breathe. As if she could function. “Oh, God, Cutter, he was going to—”
“You’re going to be okay, honey. Let me get these straps off you. Then I’ll get you out of here, okay?”
“Hurry.”
Setting the syringe on the counter, he withdrew a knife and cut the straps with a quick flick of his wrist. Once her hands were free, Mattie worked frantically to free herself. But her hands were shaking so badly she had a difficult time. Cutter took a length of one of the straps and turned to The Jaguar, who was still facedown on the floor.
“Put your hands behind your back,” Cutter ordered.
The Jaguar complied. Mattie worked at the last strap on her leg. She’d been so close to suffering a terrible death. She owed Sean Cutter her life.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cutter holster his weapon so he could secure The Jaguar’s wrists. It’s almost over, she thought. They were going to get out of this alive. Her name would be cleared. The Jaguar would pay for his crime. The terrorist cell would be dismantled. Finally she and Cutter could be together….
Hope turned to horror when The Jaguar twisted. Cutter went for his weapon, but he wasn’t fast enough. The Jaguar jabbed the syringe into the side of Cutter’s neck.
“Cutter!”
Mattie knew it the moment the drug hit his brain. His body went rigid. His mouth pulled into a taut line. His hand shook as he brought up the gun.
The Jaguar jumped to his feet, lunged at Cutter. “Now we’re going to finish this!”
Cutter scrambled back. The first shot went wide. There was no way he could shoot while in that kind of agony. She flung herself from the gurney. Her hand slammed down on the syringe of pain serum.
The Jaguar went for the gun in Cutter’s hand. Cutter grabbed the other man’s wrist and twisted, but the pain was taking a heavy toll. Wielding the syringe like a knife, Mattie raised it above her head and brought it down, jabbing it into The Jaguar’s back.
Roaring, the man turned on her. “You bitch!” he screamed. “Look what you’ve done!”
Then the drug must have taken effect because she saw his body stiffen. His eyes widened. “Give me the antidote!” he cried. “Give it to me!” He reached for it, but before he could grasp it his knees buckled. An animalistic sound tore from his throat as he collapsed to the floor.
Mattie whirled to help Cutter. He lay sprawled on his back a few feet away, staring at the ceiling. His face was contorted in pain, his complexion the color of paste. Sweat beaded on his forehead. She knew firsthand how terrible the pain serum was, and a sick sense of helplessness assailed her.
He turned his head, and his eyes met hers. “Nice work,” he ground out.
“Oh, Cutter.” She dropped to her knees beside him.
“You okay?” he asked.
Mattie blinked back tears. Only Sean Cutter would ask that question while he was in the throes of a terrible agony. “I’m fine.” She brushed her fingertips against his forehead. “You need the antidote.”
“On the counter,” he groaned, and closed his eyes.
Mattie jumped to her feet and looked around, spotted the syringe crushed on the floor. “Oh no,” she whispered.
A few feet away, The Jaguar writhed in pain. Hatred burned in his eyes when he raised his head and looked at her. “You are a dead woman,” he hissed.
Though the man was incapacitated with pain, a chill passed through her. She crossed to Cutter and knelt. “Cutter, I’m sorry. The syringe was crushed during the scuffle.”
“Just my luck…”
“What can I do?”
“Why don’t you just hang on to me for a second?”
Even through the pain, Mattie saw the light in his eyes. He was the most stoic human being she’d ever met.
“Touch me,” he whispered. “It…helps.”
Choking back tears, she settled onto the floor beside him and took his hand. “I’m sorry I left without saying anything.”
“You nabbed a big fish. I’ll yell at you later.”
“It’s a deal.”
His face contorted, and Mattie’s heart broke for him. “Cutter, I can’t stand seeing you like this.”
“Help…on the way. Should be here any…minute.”
Relief swept through her with such force that for a moment she couldn’t find her voice. “Your agency?”
“Men of MIDNIGHT. They’re the best, you know.”
“If they’re half as good as you, we’re in good hands.” But a quiver of uneasiness went through her at the thought of being taken into custody.