Layover (Open Skies #1) - Becca Jameson Page 0,73

peacefully, it will be much easier on you. If you hurt her, you’ll end up with the death penalty.”

Eddie was shaking. That was a good sign. He was fucking crazy. He tightened his grip on Libby’s neck, pulling her almost off the ground.

She grabbed his forearms, trying to free herself.

Fuck. Jason didn’t want to have to shoot Eddie. “You can’t get out of this, man. I was on a special forces team with the Army. So were my friends in the main house. You don’t stand a chance. Put. The. Knife. Down.”

Eddie’s fingers tightened again as Jason shifted his focus to the man’s other hand. He followed the pattern as Eddie swung the knife back and forth. He needed to put an end to this, and he wanted to do it without killing Eddie.

The moment his arm was on the backswing, Jason was ready. His plan was risky. If he misjudged by even a few inches, Libby could be severely injured.

And…now. Jason swung his foot around and kicked the knife out of Eddie’s hand. It went flying across the room, and Jason lunged forward, slamming his fist into the side of Eddie’s head while his attention was on his injured wrist.

The second he made contact, Eddie’s grip released.

Libby slid downward, but Jason caught her and pulled her away from Eddie as her assailant crumpled to the floor. Thank God. Jason didn’t want to have to continue pummeling the asshole.

Libby was gasping for air as Jason hugged her against his chest. He finally released her just enough to hold her face and look into her eyes. “Are you hurt, baby?”

She rubbed her neck but shook her head. “No. I’m fine.”

Relieved, he pulled her against his chest again.

“You found me,” she whispered, her body shaking violently.

“Yeah.” He was choked up himself. Emotions flooded him now that the adrenaline rush was passing. He’d rescued dozens of people in his military career, but none that mattered to him as much as Libby. None he was in love with.

Several voices came from upstairs.

“Down here,” Jason shouted. “It’s over.”

Feet pounded on the stairs. Police. Four of them. They had their guns drawn, but they holstered them as soon as they realized Jason had already knocked out the assailant.

Jason hated thinking about all the damn questions and red tape they were about to endure. Hours of questioning and statements, but at least Libby was safe. She was in his arms. He was never going to let her go. He would be by her side the entire day.

There was just one problem. He found Tank coming down the stairs behind the police. “Could you find something Libby could put on?”

His woman was shivering against him, and he knew she would still be shivering even after he wrapped her in more clothing. She was in shock more than anything, but there wasn’t a chance in hell he was going to have her spend the day in this ridiculous dress that barely passed for lingerie while everyone stared at her.

“On it.” Tank nodded and headed down the hallway.

Chapter 32

Libby was still shaking four hours later when they finally got back to Jason’s house. She was drained, and couldn’t muster up the energy to open the passenger door.

It didn’t matter. Jason was there in seconds. He reached into the car and unbuckled her before grinning. “Mind if just this once I lift you out of the car?”

She smiled back, grateful he could find some humor in a very shitty day. “I’d like that, but don’t make a habit of it.”

He stuck one hand under her knees and the other behind her back and lifted her into his arms.

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her inside.

Without stopping, he continued straight through to the master bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub. He reached in and turned on the water.

She sighed. “Good idea. I’m so fucking tired, but I want to wash this day off first.”

He stood her next to him and eased the thick sweater off her shoulders. It had provided her with cover and warmth all evening. Beneath it was the stupid black dress.

“May I?” Jason asked as he reached for the hem.

His hesitation both endeared him to her and also pissed her off. She cupped his cheeks. “I’m fine.”

He held her gaze. “I know you think you are, and I know you told the police that Eddie didn’t touch you, but I also know it doesn’t take much for a woman