Page 61 of Loving a Billionaire

He kept his focus on the woman darting in and out of people, yelling at Ariki and the blonde to stop. The people on the street screamed and jumped out of her way, thankfully. The faster Talia rushed toward Ariki, the more her black, silky ponytail flapped on her back. He kept his eyes on that since she was getting farther ahead.

Austin’s sides burned, along with his lungs, but he wouldn’t stop. Talia needed his help in some way. He wouldn’t abandon her.

When she turned and headed west, he could picture her location. This was an alleyway. Ariki wouldn’t be able to escape. Thankfully, Talia had her gun. She wouldn’t let them get away.

Sweat poured down Austin’s face, and his muscles screamed with exertion, but he kept pushing onward. He quickly lifted the cell to his ear. The operator was still trying to get him to answer her. “Officer Russell turned down an alleyway between the Huntsman building, and the Tiki Shop, going west.”

It hurt to talk. Hurt to breathe. He mustn’t stop.

Through the air, he heard a gunshot. His heart dropped, and he muttered a quick prayer. Then another gunshot exploded through the air.Please, Talia... be all right.

He finally made it to the alley, and he turned, slowing down his steps. Up ahead, near a dumpster, Talia lay on the ground. Blood coated her gray T-shirt below her left breast. Her gun was on the pavement, out of reach. Sprawled on the ground next to her was the blonde woman, unconscious. But no blood stained her. Standing over Talia was Ariki.

With a gun!

Austin’s mind scrambled. Ariki didn’t know he was here, yet. If Austin could sneak up on him, maybe he could grab the man from behind and disarm him.

Taking careful steps, he moved toward Ariki.

“If you hadn’t stuck your nose into my business, I wouldn’t have to kill you,” Ariki was telling Talia.

Color was disappearing from her face quickly. Austin prayed again that she wouldn’t die.

“Why... why are you doing this?” Talia gasped for air as she clutched her side. Blood colored her fingers and trickled down her arms. “Why would you set up your best friend for murder?”

“You don’t understand,” Ariki yelled. “This was all Kalama’s fault. If she had just been doing her job to begin with, none of this would have happened.”

“Her job as a call girl? But Kalama was Austin’s cousin.”

“I know that,” Ariki snapped. “Kalama was supposed to find something about Austin so we could blackmail him, just as we’ve been blackmailing the other wealthy and powerful men. But no! Austin is too pure, too sweet.” Ariki’s voice turned sarcastic. “That man’s a freakin’ fairy-tale, I swear!”

Austin bunched his hands, keeping them by his side. Every word from Ariki’s mouth was ripping him apart.

“Is that why you killed Kalama?” Talia asked.

Ariki gave an evil laugh. “Can you believe it? She was trying to turn the tables on us, and blackmail us. Her own employer!”

“Is that...” Talia took a ragged breath. “Is that why your blonde friend poisoned her?”

“Yes, but when that didn’t work, I stepped in and whacked Kalama over the head with Austin’s weapon.”

Austin was almost upon Ariki. He thanked the Almighty for not allowing Ariki to hear Austin.

Talia nodded. “I must hand it to you. That was a clever plan. Your friend would have never known.”

“But nowyouknow,” he snapped, “and after I finish killing you, I have to kill Austin.”

“What about the security guard?” she asked. “He knows, too.”

Ariki spit out more cuss words. “Fine. I’ll kill him after Austin. But first,” he raised his hand and pointed the gun at her head, “I’m going to make sure you are out of the picture for good.”

Suddenly, Austin recalled his training in college when he’d taken kickboxing lessons. Although he hadn’t tried this for years, this was the only way to take Ariki down. He’d once been the best at a back-spin kick. He hoped he hadn’t forgotten.

Pivot on the right leg. Kick with left leg. Whip head around toward target.

Focus... Focus...

Austin jumped into action, putting all of his energy into it. His leg connected with the back of Ariki’s legs. The man cried out in pain and crumbled to the ground. The gun fell from his grasp. Austin regained his balance and kicked the gun farther away. Talia rolled just enough to pick up her gun. She pointed it at Ariki.