Calculated Risk (Triumph Over Adversity #1) - Lynn Shannon Page 0,5

been waiting and we live next door to each other. It makes sense for him to take me.”

Trevor frowned, his gaze flickering to Jason, before setting back on her. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

He gave a sharp nod and hugged her again. “I have patrols doing extra rounds at your house tonight. We’ll also follow up with the husband of your client. The one you mentioned…”

“Michael McCormick.”

“Yep. We’ll see if he has an alibi for tonight.”

“Thank you, Trevor.” She stepped back. “Michael is the first one that comes to mind, but I’ll make a list of the others I’ve received threats from in the last two years. You’ll have that in the morning.”

Jason’s gaze swung to her. “You’ve received numerous threats? How many?”

She gave him a weak smile. “Too many to count.”

Four

On the drive home, Jason wrestled with himself. He’d tried—and failed, thanks to Connor—to keep his distance from his beautiful next-door neighbor since she moved in. Since returning from Afghanistan, Jason hadn’t felt…whole. It was deeper than the scars etched on his body. It was haunting memories and guilt wrapped up in a package of PTSD. Putting one foot in front of the other took effort on most days, so making new friends required an emotional toll he didn’t have the energy for.

Addison slipped past his defenses. She was easy to talk to and quick to laugh. And she loved his dog. It was hard to resist someone who adored Connor.

Now she was in danger. And Jason was smart enough to realize there was no way he would leave her to face it on her own.

He parked his SUV in the garage, got out, and circled around to the passenger side. Addison had fallen asleep on the half-hour drive from the hospital. Long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks. She appeared so peaceful, Jason hated to wake her.

He reached inside the vehicle and gently shook her shoulder. Strands of auburn hair tickled the back of his hand. “Addison. We’re home.”

She opened her eyes and blinked before focusing on him. Jason was struck with the full force of her beauty. Addison’s features were elegant. A slightly turned-up nose, full lips, and porcelain skin. But it was the color of her eyes that fascinated him. They were cobalt blue with flecks of gold and green.

She sat up and rubbed her face. “I was more tired than I thought. Sorry for falling asleep on you.”

“No need to apologize. How’s your ankle? You probably should’ve ridden in the back so you could elevate it.”

“It’s not that bad. It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Jason offered his hand to assist her from the vehicle. Addison’s palm was soft, her fingers long and delicate. His heart skipped a beat, but he ignored it. There was no room in his life for a relationship. Not that Addison would see him as anything beyond a neighbor and friend. Jason might have once been attractive, but the IED had destroyed that as surely as it had taken everything else.

“Stay right here a second.” Jason dropped Addison’s hand. “I’ve got to grab something from my house and then we’ll walk over to yours.”

He crossed the garage and opened the door leading to the interior of the house. Connor greeted him with a woof before slipping past to say hello to Addison. Jason went into the adjoining laundry room. Shelby peered out from behind the closed door of a small cat carrier. She meowed in complaint.

“Sorry, girl.” He lifted the carrier from the washing machine. “It took longer than I thought.”

He carried the cat outside. Shelby meowed again, more loudly this time. She pressed her furry face against the silver grate and extended a paw through one of the holes. Her claws were extended. Definitely not happy.

Addison’s mouth dropped open. “You caught Shelby? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine, but the police were going in and out of your house. I didn’t want them accidentally letting her into the yard.”

“Thank you, Jason.” Addison smiled and touched the cat’s extended paw. Shelby meowed again, louder this time. “How on earth did you catch her?”

“Treats were involved. Although, honestly, I think she was pleased to see a familiar face.”

He offered Addison his arm to lean on, and they began crossing to her house. The thunderstorm had long since passed, but puddles littered the walkway. It smelled like pine and wet grass. The street was quiet. Most people at this time of night were tucked in bed. Chances were the intruder wouldn’t come