“There’s no time to argue. We need to take those guys down, and it’s impossible with you and Abbie on board. I’ll take a hard left and stop. Take Abbie and hide.”
James opened his mouth reply, but Nick started talking at the same time, telling them that the bikers were closing in on them.
As she spoke, Mercy took a hard left as James unhooked his niece from the carrier and cradled her close to his chest, one hand bracing for the deceleration, the car coming to a momentary stop.
James dashed out and closed the door, hiding between trash containers as Mercy sped up, putting distance between them. Now that Abbie was safe, she could have some fun and make sure the bikers tailing would remember their ride for years to come.
The bikes were going full throttle. Nick was close by, but not close enough to have a clear shot. They’d soon be back on the busy boulevard, with a lot more people around, so if she was going to act, it was now or never.
“Nick! Keep back and stay away from my trajectory.”
“What?”
Before she could explain, she let one of their attackers reach the side of her car and as he whipped out a weapon, rammed him hard.
Mercy didn’t look at what happened to him and aimed for the second motorcycle. The guy had slowed down as a protective stance, but that would be his downfall. Mercy applied the brakes so fast the man couldn’t react. His bike hit the back of the car, and he flew over it like Superman before hitting the pavement hard.
Mercy slammed the car to a stop, got out, gun ready, just as Nick and the others did the same, surrounding the two men.
As Caitlin and Knight went for the first man, who was scrambling up, Nick came by her side to examine the second attacker. One quick look confirmed he had cracked his skull on the street, and there was nothing more to be done for him.
Nick clapped her shoulder. “Quick thinking, Mercy. Perfect timing. You saved Abbie.”
And James, she thought with silent relief. “It will be a mess to explain to the authorities.”
“Yeah. Caitlin’s calling Emme. And then she’ll call the cops.”
When she turned to see if everything was under control, she saw James jogging their way, Abbie safe in his arms.
Her action was purely instinctual, but she wanted to check for herself that they were all right. One look at the baby confirmed she was safe and sound. Before she could ask James if he was okay, his free hand caught the back of her head, drawing her close until he could take her lips.
It shocked her system, and lust replaced adrenaline in an instant. His taste made her open her mouth. The man was a deadly weapon, and she almost forget where she was, but his niece was having none of it. Little Abbie wiggled and whined, returning both of them to the present.
When Mercy stepped back, flushed, James stroked her cheek. “Are you all right?”
His concern made her smile. “If you’re safe, I’m fine.”
Emotion swirled in his eyes before he nodded and let go of her. She could hear sirens in the distance.
Mercy swallowed hard and shook the fog from her brain. There would be statements to do and tons of paperwork, but if it meant James and Abbie were safe, it was worth it.
Chapter Nine
James glanced at the shocked faces of his teammates, feeling more than a little surprise himself. He hadn’t meant to kiss Mercy and out them in such a way, it had just happened. His heart had been in his mouth when she sped away. Watching from a distance as she took out the two bikers’ intent on who knew what. That the woman who was coming to mean everything to him hadn’t hauled back and slugged him was evidence enough of how shaken up she was.
Nick held his gaze a moment longer. A slight twitch of his lips made James frown before his niece pulled his attention away. She had been fussy more than usual today and knowing less than he should about humans so small, he didn’t know if it was normal or not.
Half of him wanted to go to the nearest emergency room and have her checked out, just to make sure nothing was going on that he should know about, the other half knew he was overly worrying.
Mercy moved closer, her hand pulling the blanket away as she peered at Abbie and then up at him, worry in the pale blue orbs. “She’s not a happy baby today. Do you think she’s okay?”
James loved how much she cared for others; it was one of the things that drew him to her. He fought the desire to kiss her, knowing he probably wouldn’t get away with it a second time.
“Not sure, I was thinking the same thing.”
Mercy blew out a breath. “We should get her checked out, just in case.”
“We don’t have any paperwork for her, and anything going into the system will give whoever is after her a heads up.”
Nick walked over as the sound of sirens could be heard in the distance. “I called it in and called Shane too. They’re sending EMTs. They can check this little one out for you.”
James let the pressure in his chest go at the words. “Thanks, Nick.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We have some serious fucking explaining to do.”
“Do we have an ID on them?” James asked as he glanced around at the amassing onlookers.
“Knight is checking now. He snapped a picture and sent it to Imari. But the patches they’re wearing identify them as Henchmen.”
The EMT drew up at the same time as the police cars; Nick ushered James and Mercy toward the crew. “Get checked over while I handle the police and make sure you get your story straight before you speak to anyone.”
James pulled Mercy close as the paramedics checked over the two bikers. “Well?”
“Simple. I’ll tell them that they were racing and surrounding the car. I swerved when one got too close and hit him when I corrected. Then I panicked and hit the brakes and the other one ran into me from behind.”
James raised an eyebrow. “You think that will work?” Even he heard the doubt in his voice.
“Got any better ideas?”
He was an idiot, but even her snark turned him on. Hooking her around the waist with his free arm, he pulled her close and spoke against her lips. “You’re a handful.” He dropped a kiss on them, light and teasing but felt her melt into his body. He assessed her face for a moment before speaking close to her ear. “But fuck if it doesn’t turn me on.”
He let her go then as the paramedic moved in and checked him, Mercy, and Abbie over. Neither one of them corrected her when she referred to Mercy as Abbie’s mother, and it made his chest tighten with want. Not sexual this time, but bone deep in his heart. The thought of a family with Mercy held only contentment instead of the usual fear that the thought of making a commitment had before she’d come into his life.
“So, you think she has reflux?” Mercy asked.
The EMT nodded. “That would be my diagnosis, but you should see your Pediatrician to be sure.”
“We will. Thank you.”
James looked up at Nick as two officers approached them, catching the warning in his friend’s eyes.
“Sir, Ma’am.” The older officer nodded at them, a knowledgeable look in his face.
“Officer,” James said, sliding his arm around Mercy who was now holding Abbie to give him a break.
The officer nodded to the two men; one being loaded into a stretcher, the black body bag covering him, the other man into the second ambulance. “You know those two?”