Page 115 of Falling for the Boss's Son

“Yes.” She nodded. “They tied my hands. I can’t get free.”

Jesse dropped his hands from her face and reached behind her. He’d hoped they’d used rope to secure her hands—he was good with rope and knots—but no such luck. They’d used a large zip tie to secure her wrists. Her arms had been looped around a pipe sticking out from the floor. It went all the way to the ceiling.

He looked at Craig, who was on the phone, barking orders to whoever was on the other end.

“Knife?”

Craig didn’t miss a beat. He kneeled on one knee, raised his pant leg, and unsheathed a six-inch blade. He handed it to Jesse as he continued to talk to his man on the phone.

Jesse’s attention went back to Cassie. “Lean forward as much as you can. I don’t want to cut you.”

She bent forward, stretching the zip ties at her wrists.

There wasn’t much room between her wrists, the zip tie, and the pipe, so it took longer than he’d like to set her free. Eventually, the plastic broke, and her arms fell to her side.

Cassie’s head fell against his chest. He dropped the knife and gathered her into his arms. He could already feel her tears soaking his dress shirt.

“You’re safe now. I’m here.” It was then he noticed the gash on the back of her head. It was bleeding, but head wounds tended to do that. He couldn’t tell how bad it was, but the fact she was conscious and talking was a good sign.

Craig took a step toward them and picked up the knife Jesse had dropped. He lifted his pant leg and returned the weapon to its sheath. “I need to ask you some questions.”

Cassie clung to Jesse, the blood from her wrists staining his dress shirt.

Jesse didn’t care about the blood. Shirts could be replaced. “Who did this to you?”

She met Jesse’s gaze, then looked at Craig. “I don’t know who knocked me out. I think it was Crystal, but it may have been Sandy. I didn’t see.”

“They were both here?” Craig pulled out his phone again.

Cassie tried to nod but stopped herself mid-movement. She gripped the sides of her head with both hands. “Yes.”

“We need to get you checked out by a doctor.” Jesse began helping her to stand.

“Paramedics are already on their way, as are the police.” Craig turned his attention back to the phone. “We’re looking for Sandy Green and Crystal Carter. Check all the security cameras. I don’t want either of them leaving the building.”

“Can you stand?” Jesse asked Cassie.

She met his gaze. “I think so.”

Rocking back on his heels, Jesse stood and offered her his hands for support. She took them, pulling herself up. He didn’t miss her wince, nor the way she swayed on her feet. Bending, he placed one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, lifting her into his arms.

Cassie didn’t protest, telling him more than she could with words. She was hurting.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead and followed Craig to the stairwell.

Her warm breath against his neck reminded him she was safe in his arms. Why the hell had she gone into the stairwell in the first place?

He held on a little tighter as they made it to the fifth-floor landing and entered the executive floor. The paramedics were already there, waiting for them.

As soon as Jesse laid her on the stretcher, two paramedics began working. They asked about her injuries and did a quick assessment.

Jesse didn’t like feeling helpless. Why had she put herself in danger like that?

The paramedics finished their examination. “We’re going to want a doctor to check you out. You might have a concussion.”

Instead of answering the paramedic, she turned to Jesse. “Where’s your dad?”

“I’m sure he’s around somewhere. We’ll see him later.” His father’s whereabouts were the farthest thing from Jesse’s mind. Cassie had been on the sixth floor. Somewhere he’d told her not to go. And she was hurt. “I’m more concerned with you at the moment.”

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