Texas Hot by Regina Carlysle Page A

of the barn then pulled back his fist.
    It connected to her jaw with a crack and her vision swam as she reeled backward to land sprawled on her back. She tried to move but she lay so stunned that it was impossible. Her worst nightmare had come true and all when she’d been so damn sure of herself.
    It was evident that Anthony planned to teach her a lesson as he straddled her and his hands reached for her throat. He squeezed. Tighter. Tighter. There was no air to take in as black spots swam before her eyes. Maybe he’d manage to kill her this time she thought wildly. Gina tried to kick out but his attack had been too fierce. For all the tough talk, she was helpless against his strength.
    But then a heavy click sounded and Anthony paused to look behind him.
    Through bleary eyes, Gina spotted Dawson pointing a shotgun at Anthony. “I wouldn’t mess with the lady if I were you,” he drawled. “A man could get hurt that way.”
    The words were no sooner out of his mouth when Mitch was on Anthony. His enraged face, his firm resolve, reached Gina from her position on the barn floor and then she saw nothing but a blur as Mitch hauled him from atop her and landed blow after blow. Dawson set aside his weapon and helped her to sit. He may have asked if she was all right but for the life of her, Gina couldn’t answer, her gaze riveted to the unfolding scene. Suddenly Anthony was the prey as Mitch delivered heavy punches to his face and mid-section.
    Here in Texas they’d call it an ass-whoopin’.
    Then three familiar men burst through the door.
    Her brothers. The cavalry. Family.
    Marco, Joseph, and Michael crowded through the door and Marco, the burliest of her brothers shoved Mitch aside and grabbed Anthony. “My turn,” he growled before landing a solid punch to his nose. Sweat and blood splashed from Tony’s face as Marco pounded him.
    Unable to believe her eyes, Gina managed to stand with help from Dawson, who stood as a silent spectator to the melee that ensued. Even Mitch seemed to shake himself from the frenzy and made his way to her. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms. Grateful that he’d made it in time, Gina glanced up as the curses of the hot-headed Leoni brothers filled the space. But once Mitch got a good look at her, his face hardened with fury and he turned back to Anthony again.
    “Goddamn bastard.”
    “Wait. No, wait.” Gina grabbed his arm and shook her head. The sounds of fists hitting flesh stopped leaving nothing but heavy breathing and a hell of a lot of testosterone to fill the room. Her brothers. She gave Mitch a look and went to them. “How did you know? How did you find me?”
    Joseph sucked in a breath and hugged her tight. “Michael let it slip that you were here. We knew Tony was on his way so we hopped a plane, rented a car and somehow, thank you Jesus, we got here in time. We were on our way to warn you when we spotted him sneaking onto the land. He’s most likely been stalking you for a while now.”
    Michael rushed up. “I’m sorry, Gina. I’m so sorry. The bastard tricked me.”
    The regret on his beautiful, young face broke her heart. Gina reached up and touched his cheek. “No worries. I’m okay now.” She looked around the room at her brothers and at Dawson and then at the man she loved. “I’m okay.”
    Mitch moved up beside her and despite her protests lifted her into his arms as her brothers hauled a beaten and limp Anthony from the barn. There was more to be said, much more, but darn if she wasn’t too tired to speak at the moment.
    She was safe. She was loved and family was near.
    She might be a little worse for wear but she was alive and that was something to be happy about.
     
    Nobody was going to get any sleep tonight and that was a fact!
    Mitch sat in the living room on the sofa with Gina curled against his side. Though his most urgent need was to pace, holding onto Gina was far more important. He’d seen the bruises and had seen the terror in her eyes