was enough of a message that he would understand. “Chloe’s in a cabin. Near Huntsville. There’s no address. Give me your phone and I’ll type in the coordinates.”
Addison wrapped her fingers around the mace. Her insides quivered, but she forced herself to meet Trevor’s gaze. He had to believe her lies. In order for the mace to work, she needed to be closer. She held her breath.
Please believe me. Please believe me.
Their lives depended on it.
Trevor dipped his hand into his pocket and then extended his phone toward her. “I want the exact location.”
“Absolutely.” Addison limped across the distance between them. Each breath enraged her broken ribs and sent fire through her body. She was in no position to fight Trevor in hand-to-hand combat, no matter how well she’d trained in boxing class. The mace was the only chance she had. Her hand tightened around the container.
Three.
Two.
One.
She held her breath and, with a swift movement, raised the mace while compressing the button. Trevor screamed as the chemicals hit his eyes. He stumbled back.
Addison spun on her heel. Every step was sheer torture, but she reached the Honda. Her fingers fumbled with the seat adjustment button. Sirens wailed in the distance. “Jason, I’m trying—”
Her finger found the right button and the seat flew forward on its track.
Footsteps pounded behind her. Addison turned, her pulse racing. Trevor was charging toward her like a murderous bull. His skin was mottled and red. Rage fueled his steps.
He was going to kill her.
A guttural roar came from the Honda as Jason leapt from the vehicle. He tackled Trevor, and both men tumbled to the ground. They wrestled for control of Trevor’s gun. Addison’s gaze swept the surrounding area, desperate to find some way to help Jason, but there was nothing.
The gun went off.
Thirty-One
Three weeks later
* * *
Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the ground with intricate patterns. February was releasing her hold, giving way to springtime. A squirrel danced across the field in front of Jason’s cabin and flowers poked free of the grass.
Jason drew in a deep breath. It smelled just as he remembered, like fresh pine and dirt. “It’s not much to look at, but I promise it’s better inside.”
Addison passed him a skeptical glance. She’d tucked her hair into a ponytail and was dressed for their excursion to the cabin in jeans and hiking boots. The bruises from the car accident had finally faded, leaving her skin creamy and vibrant. “Chloe mentioned it was rustic. She didn’t say how rustic.”
He laughed, slipping his hand into hers. Beside him, Connor whined and shifted. His brown eyes were locked on the squirrel rooting through the grass.
Worry flared in Addison’s expression. “Is Connor in pain?”
“No. He wants to chase the squirrel.” Jason rubbed the dog’s head. “Not yet, buddy. The vet said it’ll be another couple of weeks before you’re cleared to run.”
It was a miracle Connor survived at all. He’d been barely breathing by the time he reached the emergency vet’s office. Surgery and a blood transfusion had saved his life. It’d been touch-and-go for several days, but then Connor turned a corner. He would have another scar to add to his roster but, otherwise, would make a full recovery.
Jason’s phone beeped. He pulled it from his pocket and grinned. “Nathan wants chocolate silk pie from Nelson’s Diner.”
Addison chuckled. “Tell him you saved his life by fashioning a makeshift tourniquet, and we aren’t obligated to bring him desserts every day.”
Jason laughed, knowing Addison didn’t mean a word of it. When she wasn’t taking care of Connor, she was at the Stewart ranch, doing everything possible to make Nathan’s recovery easier. The trooper that’d been guarding her house was Addison’s third stop. He would also make a full recovery.
Michael and Trevor were in jail. Trevor took a plea bargain and agreed to testify against Michael in exchange for life in prison. Michael kept claiming his innocence, despite a pile of evidence to the contrary. A trial date hadn’t been set, but the prosecutor was pushing for a quick one.
Police Chief Walters kept his job—he hadn’t known about Trevor’s or Michael’s involvement—but his political aspirations were over. The scandal would follow him for the rest of his career.
Chloe had gotten her divorce. She’d moved to a new home close to her mother, and was contemplating her next steps. Becoming a millionaire overnight had opened opportunities. But Chloe was determined to do the very best for her daughter. She was taking things slow.
Jason’s phone beeped again, bringing