task of questioning Jase to him?
By degrees, Owen’s stance eased. He looked at Gigi’s neck again, then flicked a glance at his brother. “Let Elliot talk to him before you call Blair. Get Jase out of here before I change my mind.”
Levi maneuvered Jase out the front door. “You shouldn’t have touched his woman, dude,” Levi said as they left. “You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”
“What’s going on in here?” Gilbert Moser walked into the reception area, pushing his walker. “We heard shouting in the kitchen. Jackson refused to let us leave the room.” The older man’s expression showed his displeasure at that.
“One of the men who kidnapped Gigi’s friend showed up here and took Gigi hostage.”
The older man scowled. “Is he dead?”
Owen sent him a grim smile. “Can’t interrogate a dead man.” He raised his voice. “Jackson.”
“Right here.” The medic hurried in with his medic bag. “I take a nap for an hour, and look what happens.”
“Zip it, Conner.” Owen led Gigi to the living room couch. “Jase cut her neck.”
“Let me take a look.” Jackson tugged on rubber gloves and crouched in front of Gigi. He turned her head to examine the cuts. “One cut is shallow. The other is deep enough that it might require a stitch or two to prevent a scar.”
Gigi sighed. Great. Just what she didn’t need. Another trip to the hospital for stitches. She eyed Jackson. By all accounts, the man was excellent at his job. Perhaps Jackson would patch her up instead of insisting she visit the ER. “Will you treat me? I don’t want to go to the ER.”
He glanced at Owen. “Okay with you?”
“Hey,” Gigi said crossly. “I can make my own decision about a treatment plan.”
“I value my life too much to treat a friend’s girl without permission. Owen could make mincemeat out of me. Owen, yes or no?”
A nod. “Blair will want to talk to Gigi as soon as possible. You treating her will make that easier.”
“When was your last tetanus shot, Gigi?”
“Three years ago.”
“Good.” He reached into his bag and pulled out several white packets along with a small kit. After another foray into the bag, Jackson brought out a small packet. “Once I clean the cuts, I’ll be able to see what needs to be done.”
“Who hurt Gigi?” Mr. Moser demanded.
“Jase.” Owen waved the older man to a chair. “My brother has him in the back of the SUV until the Archer police arrive to take him into custody.”
“You’re a cop. Why didn’t you arrest him?”
“Conflict of interest. I’m involved with the victim.”
Jackson ripped open a white packet. “This is an antiseptic wipe, Gigi.” He wiped her neck with efficient movements.
Gigi grimaced at the burn.
“Sorry,” he murmured. He examined her neck again, dabbing at the deeper cut with clean gauze. “Congratulations, sugar. You need stitches.”
“Will you take care of it for me?”
“Sure.” He grabbed the small packet and tore off one end. “Numbing gel. We’ll let this work on your cut for a few minutes, then fix you up.” A moment later, he sat back. “I’m going for coffee while we wait. Want more coffee, Mr. Moser?”
“I believe I do.” The elderly Marine stood and gripped the walker. He stared at Owen a moment, received a brisk nod in return, then followed Jackson from the room.
“What was that look about?” Gigi asked, puzzled.
“He ordered me to guard you.”
She blinked. “Seriously?”
“Oh, yeah. I think Moser views you as a granddaughter. If anything else happens to you, I’m toast.”
“No way. Mr. Moser is a nice man.”
He snorted. “He’s not a teddy bear, babe. He’s a Marine. If I screw up again, he’ll tear strips off my hide.”
“What happened wasn’t your fault.”
“I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.” His eyes darkened. “I’m sorry.”
She pressed a soft kiss to his mouth. “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m just glad you were here.”
“Did Jase hurt you anywhere else?”
Gigi glanced at her hand and wrist. Red marks marred her skin from Jase’s punishing hold. The marks would fade soon.
Owen cradled her hand in his own, frowning. “Jase did this?”
“I’m fine.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. Owen stood and took a step toward the front door, fury darkening his expression.
Gigi caught his hand. “Owen, he’s not worth getting into trouble with David or Blair. Stay with me.”
A battle raged in his anger-filled eyes. A long minute later, he sat and wrapped his arms around her. “I never want to see you in danger like that again,” he murmured. “You scared me.”
“You didn’t act