Big Sexy Bear by Terry Bolryder

dark clothing and masks were shoving someone into a van, and from the flash he saw, he was sure it was Katrina and probably Mac.
    Dammit, why had he taken his eyes off them, even for a second?
    He dropped his groceries and ran out into the road just in time to see them speeding away, burning rubber as they tried to accelerate in the slow, bulky van.
    His mate was in that van.
    A cold calm came over him as he reached for his shoulder holster and pulled out the gold Desert Eagle .50 caliber he had strapped over his back, concealed by his jacket.
    In any other kidnapping, it would already be too late. The van was accelerating, there was no time for Ares to find a car and follow them. And by the time he could call it in, they could already be hurt or worse.
    That’s if the kidnapping had been a normal one and not someone foolishly trying to take the mate of an ex-Special Forces soldier.
    Ares aimed at the right back tire of the van and fired two shots into it. It made a boom and hissing sound, and as the van fishtailed, he aimed and hit the front tire on the right, forcing the vehicle to curve into a sharp turn and hit the nearest curb, stopping with one flat tire over it.
    The car made a hissing noise as he walked toward it, calm as can be, gun at his side.
    He had four more express action rounds. He wouldn’t need them.
    He heard swearing from inside before a man stumbled out of the passenger’s seat, training a gun on him. Ares raised his hand and fired, dropping the man instantly.
    No one else immediately exited the van, but Ares waited. Luckily, he knew the man who’d sent them wanted Kat and Mac back alive.
    Then the largest sliding door slammed open and two men piled out, holding guns. Ares fired on one while reaching into the other side of his shoulder holster and pulling out his other gun, a .44 caliber magnum. He fired with that and watched both men drop to the ground.
    He didn’t know if there were any left, but he wasn’t taking any chances. And he knew he was within his rights. They were committing a felony and had aimed their weapon at him. Nonetheless, he’d probably be calling Hades for a cleanup.
    He approached slowly, trying to see inside the van to make sure Kat and Mac were okay. When he reached the vehicle, he could see two men in the backseat, holding Mac and Kat between them, guns pointed at their heads.
    “Get back,” the man holding Kat said.
    “Hands in the air,” the other said.
    Ares could see their hands shaking and didn’t want to take any chances, so he did as they said. He stepped back from the truck, hands in the air.
    One of men climbed out, his gun trained on Ares. “Put them down,” he said.
    Ares shook his head. “Put yours down.”
    “Put them down or my friend will shoot them.”
    Ares didn’t think so, but he couldn’t take chances. “Tell your friend to come out here where I can see him. Then I’ll put my guns down. Otherwise, I’ll take my chances putting a bullet through your head.”
    The man paled behind his mask but didn’t answer. He seemed to think over his options, then made a jerky motion for the man behind him to follow him out. He seemed to realize the two of them holding their guns on Ares was probably a better idea than just one of them.
    “Now put down your guns,” he said.
    “Cover Mac’s eyes!” Ares yelled, hoping Kat could hear. He didn’t want Mac to be scarred by this any more than he had to be.
    “Put down your guns!” the man yelled. “We did what you wanted. Now keep your end of the deal.”
    Ares slowly got on one knee, making a show of putting both guns on the ground.
    “Good,” the man said smugly, his voice still shaking. “Now stand up and put your hands up and—”
    He was cut off when Ares used his moment on the ground to draw his smallest gun from his ankle holster and immediately aimed and shot both men, dropping them like flies.
    Silence reverberated around them. He knew the townspeople were hiding. Then again, they were