Now he felt uncertain, and all he wanted to do was get Lizzy out of here. If only Robbie and his other buddies weren’t doing their own two-week European vacation stints. Could he contact his Ranger unit? It would be a miracle if they were on leave right now.
Could he take Lizzy to Jade Valley and protect her there? Could he go to her home in Kansas and watch out for her there? He’d prefer Jade Valley, as he trusted his friends on the police force and he knew Brexten Cabella, who’d recently married Clara Gem, would get him help from Aiden Porter’s men. Yet some of these men worked for Aiden. Where should he turn?
The police stormed in, and the confusion grew worse. They were speaking German and though some of them knew English, their accents were a barrier and no one had the complete story. Everyone wanted to point fingers and the Austrians were trying to figure out why all these retired American military men were protecting an American woman on vacation. When they got the identity of the attacker, a Tate Heiner, former Army Lieutenant, they were more confused about why another retired American military man was attacking an American woman on vacation.
Chase shared their frustration and confusion. They separated him and Lizzy for a time, and that upped his irritation.
Finally, the police took Tate Heiner into custody, promising to keep a watch on the property and continue searching the surrounding area for a second man. Heiner wouldn’t give them any information, so they were searching blind.
Captain Macon reprogrammed the code on the door to one only he and Chase knew. He headed back to the other house to ‘talk’ with his men. Thankfully Joshua seemed fine from being knocked unconscious. The EMTs had checked him out and cleared him. Macon promised he would personally watch the cameras the rest of the night while Elijah patrolled. By morning they’d have answers and a solution to go forward.
Chase should’ve felt relief. He couldn’t confidently say that any of these men had betrayed them. Joshua appeared innocent and insisted Tate Heiner had distracted him while someone unseen had knocked him out. If that was true, there was another man at large. The police hadn’t found anyone else yet.
Elijah had been asleep, if he was to be believed. Tony had been out patrolling, so he could’ve attacked Joshua and helped Tate Heiner, but… Chase didn’t want to think that of Tony. He really liked the quiet giant. He just put off a calming aura.
Captain Macon had also been asleep and was insistent his men were loyal.
Who knew the answers?
Locking and arming the door, Chase took Lizzy’s hand, grabbed some drinks from the fridge, and led her up the stairs. Her hand trembled in his and she was far too quiet for his vivacious and appealing Lizzy.
HisLizzy?
He wanted her to be.
Chase paused in the upstairs hallway and then he walked up to the camera, ripped it off the wall, and dropped it face down on the ground. They could stare at the wood floor for all he cared.
Lizzy’s eyes widened, but she still remained silent.
He led her into his room, shut the door with a loud bang, and released her hand. “Give me one moment.”
He grabbed his knife, wishing for his Glock 19 at the very least. Putting the knife in his pocket, he took Lizzy’s hand again. Easing out of his room, he held his finger to his lips. She nodded. He quietly shut his door, then led her across the hallway and down to one of the unused suites. If another attacker was coming tonight, he wouldn’t make it easy on them to guess which room they were in.
He shut the door softly and led her to the bed without turning the light on. “You lie down and rest,” he said. “I’ve got to make a phone call, but then I’ll be quiet. I’ll watch over you while you sleep.”
“Chase.” She held onto his hand. “There is no world where I can sleep tonight.”
“I understand.”
He led her over to the sofa, set the drinks he’d grabbed from downstairs on the side table, and guided her onto a cushion. “Let me make that call and then we’ll talk more.”
It was two in the morning here. He had no idea what time zone Brandon and Rock were in, but he would call until one of them woke up.
He’d start with Rock. He trusted him more.
Settling down on the couch, Chase scrolled and pressed Rock’s number. Lizzy leaned into his other shoulder and curled her legs up underneath her. The move reassured him that she trusted him and made him feel responsible for her safety deeper than ever. Lizzy had been through far too much, an angelic woman who only wanted to safeguard and love children.
He would not allow anyone to hurt her.
The phone rang through to voicemail. Chase shut it off, paused, and then pushed on the number again.
This We’ll Defend. The Army motto ran through his head.
He’d defend and love Lizzy.
Love? Was he there? Did he dare go there? Was she even ready for something like that?
“Chase?” Rock’s voice was rough from sleep.
