Home to Stay (The Long Road Home #2) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,76

shouted. “The man who hurt her just left, but there’s another guy out there!”

One of the officers dropped to her side, immediately assisting Paula, saying, “We got the men.”

A growl at the front door sounded, and she looked up to see John storm in, jaw tight, eyes flashing as they landed on her. As he stalked forward, she leaped to her feet and rushed into his arms. “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

“You fuckin’ weren’t okay. You were in a fuckin’ basement with a fuckin’ maniac drug dealer right fuckin’ above you.” His voice was still a growl, but a smile slipped over her face at his colorful although accurate description. His arms had banded tightly around her, lifting her slightly so their hearts beat next to each other.

She leaned back to peer into his eyes, the haunting specter of fear still visible. Cupping his face, she held him close. “I wasn’t okay, but now I’m in your arms, John, and we’re perfect.”

22

All the missions he’d gone on. All the rescues he’d participated in. All the successes he’d had as a member of the Special Forces. Nothing meant as much to John as the feel of Lucy in his arms.

As soon as he’d seen her pull up to Paula’s house, fear had spread throughout him. That sixth sense that had saved him and his teammates so often had him shout to Bray that he was heading to Paula’s house. With Josh at LSI to monitor the cameras and provide backup, Bray accompanied him as they raced into town, making the thirty-minute trip in only twenty. While Bray drove, he’d continued to watch the security feed on his tablet.

When Lucy had stepped inside Paula’s front door, he knew he’d made the right decision in trying to get to her, not trusting Paula at all. Watching as Griz rode in on his bike before heading straight to Paula’s door, John had felt his body tighten with anxiety, knowing Lucy was still in there.

Mace, on the line with Bray, had assured them he’d called for the police and the task force. Just as they arrived, Bray jerked his vehicle to a halt, calling out his recognition of someone from the drug task force. John hadn’t waited to talk to anyone at the sight of Griz’s motorcycle still parked on the side street. He’d raced toward the front of Paula’s house with Bray on his heels. When they’d rounded the corner, Griz was handcuffed, surrounded by law enforcement along with another handcuffed man.

Bypassing them all, John had raced up Paula’s steps and into her house, seeing Lucy kneeling on the floor. He’d growled, unable to halt his progress until he had her in his arms, pressed against his chest.

Now, she was staring up at him, assuring him that she was fine. Christ, Almighty, I never want to feel that helpless ever again.

“She hid me in the basement. She didn’t tell him that I was here,” Lucy said, her gaze now on Paula as they loaded her onto a gurney.

Paula looked up, one eye swelling and fingerprint bruises around her throat. “Lucy?”

At the sound of her name, Lucy squirmed to have John let her down. He acquiesced, although reluctantly. She moved past the EMT and leaned over Paula, taking her hand.

“I’m sorry,” came the hoarse whisper. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I certainly never meant for any of this to touch you.” Looking beyond Lucy, Paula caught John’s eye. “Take care of her.”

Stepping closer, he put his hands on Lucy’s shoulders. He choked back the words of anger and guilt he wanted to heap upon Paula and instead just nodded. “I will.”

As the EMTs rolled Paula out, Lucy twisted her head around to look up at him. “What’s going to happen to her?”

“I don’t know, babe. I don’t know her level of involvement. But as soon as we saw Griz was in the area, the International Drug Task Force was alerted. They’ve already been investigating him, and they’ll be the ones to talk to her and decide if she’s committed any crimes.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, Lucy’s shoulders slumped, and he wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her into his chest again, offering what comfort he could. “Why did you come over here today?”

“She stopped by my room earlier and said that she missed me. Missed our friendship. Then she invited me to meet her for drinks at a restaurant around the corner. I got here early and was