“Lizzy.” Chase glanced up at her as they finished binding the man’s arm. Blood stained his shirt from where the man had slashed at him with the knife. He looked tough and brave, and she prayed he was all right.
The unique European ‘whir, whir, whir’ police sound came from seemingly far away. Like a tunnel.
“Chase,” she whispered.
“I’ve got him,” Peter said.
“Thank you.” Chase leaped to his feet and took the two steps to her. She collapsed against his strength, whimpering and clinging to him. He held her close, murmuring, “It’s all right. I’m here. It’ll all be okay now.”
It felt more than ‘all right’ in his arms. He was safe and warm and strong.
Yet a man had gotten through security, past cameras, and maybe paid a guard off to kidnap her or hurt her. He’d been smothering her when Chase came to rescue her. Had the nightmare of being attacked really followed her across the ocean?
All she wanted was to be safe, to feel safe. It seemed the only way that might happen was if Chase never left her side.
But that likely wouldn’t be her future, no matter how badly she wanted it to be.
Chapter
Eleven
Chase was ticked.His stomach was in a tight knot and his jaw was clenched hard enough to crack. He was ninety percent convinced one of Captain Macon’s guards had helped this man get into the house, avoid the cameras, and attack Lizzy. Was there another option? Not that he could come up with in his haze of frustration and his desire to protect Lizzy at all costs.
Lizzy. Her in his arms was the only thing that felt right at the moment. He cradled her closer, and she clung to him. She was obviously terrified, and who could blame her? A month ago she’d been almost killed, a knife piercing her chest while she defended a young boy from his monster of a father. And now, when she should’ve been as safe as she’d ever been in her life, an attacker had gotten into her bedroom and tried to suffocate her.
“Are you injured?” he asked softly, pulling back just enough to look her over.
“No,” she whispered. She touched his abdomen where the knife had grazed him. The bleeding had already stopped, but her touch brought a fire with it that was out of place for their current circumstance. Her soft brown eyes glinted with tears. “You’re injured.”
“I’m fine.” Chase smiled and took her hand in his. “The knife barely grazed me, and now I have another scar to brag to you about.”
She blinked up at him. “I want to hear all about those scars. Thank you for coming for me tonight and protecting me.” She arched up and kissed him.
Chase returned the kiss. It wasn’t the sweet yet passionate kisses from earlier in the hot tub when she’d bravely shared her scar with him and he’d longed to tell her he was falling in love with her.
This kiss was desperate and needy and there was gratitude mixed in as well. Chase hoped he conveyed that he would protect her and be there for her. No matter what. Would she agree? Would she want him to leave her side? He couldn’t imagine doing so.
Footsteps sounded on the main level and the sirens grew louder.
Chase pulled back and ushered her behind him. He cursed himself for not being armed, then remembered he didn’t have many weapons with him. He’d been dead asleep when she’d cried out his name and he’d rushed into her bedroom without grabbing his knife or his phone.
“Captain Macon? Chase?” Tony’s voice called as he rushed up the stairs.
“Up here,” Macon said.
Tony hurried into the room, taking in the situation. “I came back from rotations and found Joshua zip-tied at the cameras,” he said. “He said someone got in the house and distracted him and someone else snuck up behind him and knocked him out. I tried to call, but you didn’t answer. I rushed over here.”
Chase and the captain exchanged a look. Was Joshua the mole and disguising it by claiming to get knocked out and being secured with zip ties by the attacker? Someone sneaking into theguards’ house would be a feat and felt unlikely. They’d have to have training on bypassing security systems.
“Elijah?” Macon asked.
“Asleep as far as I know.”
“Go let the police in,” Macon instructed. “Bring them up. Then take an officer with you to help Joshua and check on Elijah.”
“Yes, sir.” With one last look and nod to Chase and Lizzy, Tony spun and stalked out of the room.
Everything felt wrong. Chase was angry with all of these guards. It might be unreasonable, but it was what he felt. He’d trusted them. He’d especially felt a connection to Captain Macon and Tony.
