Guns and the Girl Next Door. HelenKay Dimon

to put as much space between her and the sharp edge as possible and it gave her a few extra seconds to scream for Holden. For anyone with a gun within screaming range, actually.

      Holden emerged from the bedroom at a sprint right as their mystery guest hooked his elbow around her throat. The edge of the knife pricked her neck.

      She flinched at the contact and got nipped again. To keep the weapon as far away as possible, she grabbed on to the arm of her attacker and pushed.

      Holden’s gaze flicked to the trickle of blood she could feel running down her neck and back to the man behind her. “Let’s calm down here,” Holden said.

      “I’m in charge.” The attacker’s hot creepy breath skipped across her skin.

      Fear replaced her headache. Her insides trembled as her knees lost their strength. She thought about elbowing the guy in the stomach or dropping to the floor and out of his reach—doing anything before she lost the ability to fight—but something in Holden’s cold stare told her to stay put.

      “There’s no reason to hurt her,” he said.

      The guy’s grip tightened on her throat. “Where is it?”

      Confusion flashed across Holden’s face but he quickly controlled it. “Tell me what you want. I’m sure we can work this out.”

      She knew Holden had a gun behind his back. She guessed he had other weapons, too. He seemed like the kind of guy who was prepared for an attack. At least she hoped that was true.

      “Give it to me.” The attacker waved the knife in front of her face.

      “What is it?” Holden’s gaze made a quick tour of the room.

      She doubted her attacker even saw the move. He was too busy spitting in her hair while he choked the life out of her.

      “Don’t play dumb,” the man said, pulling on her neck until the bones crunched.

      Holden nodded as his feet shuffled slightly. “You’re right. I have it. It’s in my car.”

      What? She stared at Holden, trying to figure out if he was playing along or risking her life. She wasn’t thrilled with either option because she feared they both ended up the same—with her bleeding to death on the floor.