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He screams and lets go of Kierra.

"Down!"

She drops.

I'm on the bastard before he can recover.

Kick his gun away.

Fist to the jaw.

He hits the gravel like a sack of shit.

Stays there.

Good.

I turn.

Kierra's on her knees beside the car, one hand pressed to her chest.

She's sucking in air like she can't get enough of it.

"Kierra."

She looks at me.

Flinches.

Fuck me.

I holster my gun and crouch a few feet away.

"Easy. He's done."

She shakes her head.

"I can't..."

Her fingers tremble against her throat.

"I can't breathe."

Panic attack.

Seen enough soldiers go through them to know what I'm dealing with.

Crowding her won't help.

"Eyes on me, darlin'."

She tries.

Big brown eyes. Freckles across her nose. Light brown hair with a few lighter strands catching what little daylight gets through the trees.

Christ, she's pretty.

And those curves?