Page 73 of Hunting Justice

“Ready to go?”

He grunted and swiped his face with his hand. “I can move if I have to.”

She chuckled. “You have to.”

The officer hurried around the car and opened the backseat passenger door for them. “Sorry for your troubles. I’ll send you a copy of the report from your accident.”

“I appreciate that.” Noelle slid from the car.

“Would you like assistance clearing the house?” Adams shut the car door.

“No, thank you. I think we’re good.” Noelle shook the man’s hand and stepped onto the sidewalk.

With a final goodbye, she and Jonah strode up the walkway and entered the house. She punched in the security code, then rearmed the system.

Jonah stared at the red light on the panel. “I’d like to say that’s not necessary, but instead, I’ll say I’m grateful.” He shook his head as if dislodging the thought. “I’ll grab the first-aid kit and clean the rest of your cuts.”

“Thanks for that, by the way.” Noelle appreciated his thoughtfulness at the scene. The last thing she wanted was someone else seeing her scars. “I’ll go change and meet you in the kitchen. It seems to be our triage center.” She flashed him a grin and laid her weapons on the end table next to the couch.

He rolled his eyes. “Go.”

Once in her room, she pulled her shirt off, careful not to rub her sleeves against her wounds, and tossed it in the garbage. The slices in the material didn’t leave much hope of salvaging it. She eyed her normal three-quarter-sleeve tops and decided to ignore her mother’s voice that crept into her mind. She donned a tank top and changed her jeans. Jonah had seen the white lines that marred her skin, so why worry? The man didn’t seem bothered by them. But, unable to bring herself to go without a cover, she gathered a white button-down blouse before closing her closet, just in case she had unexpected company.

When she entered the kitchen, Jonah had the supplies lined up on the table like a surgeon with his instruments. She struggled to hold back a laugh and failed.

His gaze lifted and landed on her bare arms. He froze for a moment—so brief she thought she’d imagined it. “What? I may be a hot mess with everything else, but I’m dialed in when it comes to my skills as a doctor.” His sheepish look reminded her of an embarrassed little boy.

“Riiiight.” She drew out the word, hoping for a smile. And he didn’t disappoint.

“Have a seat. Let me tend to those cuts.”

Cuts. Which ones? The recent or the past? He hadn’t judged her when he’d seen her scars. In fact, he’d even touched them. But over time, would they disgust him?

“Come on. I want to make sure you don’t have glass embedded in your skin.” He patted the chair.

She hung her cover-up blouse on the back of another chair, then sat. “I think you enjoy your job a bit too much.”

“I’ll never tell.” He chuckled and got to work tending to her injuries.

The antiseptic solution he used on the open wounds stung. Tears pooled, but she blinked them away. She’d experienced worse. Much worse.

A few minutes later, Jonah cleaned up his mess and washed his hands. “Good as new.”

“Sure,” she muttered, hoping he hadn’t heard her. “Thanks for taking care of me so that I didn’t have to go to the hospital.”

He brushed the backs of his fingers along her cheek. “Anything to make you feel more comfortable.” His brown eyes connected with her blue ones.

His touch made her belly flutter. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Could she really have it all?

The front door handle jiggled.

Jonah’s eyes widened. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No.” Noelle slipped on her blouse, then snatched her Glock from where she’d placed it when she entered. “Stay in the kitchen,” she whispered. Taking time to cover her arms was stupid, but ingrained actions died hard.

She moved without sound to the door. Taking a deep breath, she widened her stance and took aim.

Whoever stood on the outside would have to get through her to kill Jonah.

---