Page 67 of No Love Lost

“She shouldn’t have to plow her driveway. That’s my job.”

And it probably pissed him off when Addy didn’t need him. So he’d sabotaged her snowblower to be the hero. While Jonas continued to talk about how he helped, Heath scooted down to a lower step. Once he sat, he got his feet on the floor and put more weight on them while trying to appear as if he was relaxed on the stairs.

Jonas smiled suddenly, and Heath could see the glazed look in his eyes. “You can have the girl to take care of, and I’ll keep Addison. That’ll be fair. That will work.”

Like hell. When Addison’s body shuddered this time, Heath was ready. She seemed to read his mind as she slumped to the side, taking herself away from the knife.

Heath crossed the distance before Jonas reacted. He knocked the knife out of the man’s hand. “Don’t move, Jonas. Stay right there. Addy, you okay?”

“Of course, she’s okay. She’s with me. I’m going to take care of her. Nothing bad can happen to her while I’m taking care of her.” Jonas sounded truly confused.

Feet thundered down the stairs, and Marcus appeared. Then Sean and Troy. Levi and Sam. Animosh too. The dog moved right up to Jonas and growled more deeply than before. Smart girl.

Heath holstered his gun as he turned his complete attention to Addy, who had slumped to the ground. Her hands were bound with a cloth, which he sliced with his jackknife.

There weren’t any bindings on her feet, so he ran his hands over her to check for other injuries. “Are you okay? Where are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”

Addy’s soft smile was the best thing he’d ever seen. “I’m okay.”

Her voice chattered, and he scooped her up and hurried up the stairs to where there was more warmth. Her entire body shook, and he sat on one of the kitchen chairs to wrap himself around her. Animosh appeared and rested her head on Addy’s lap.

Her breathing was harsh, but not like the day in the parking lot. “Don’t talk. Let yourself warm up first. We’ll get Lia to check you over soon.”

Then he buried his face in her hair and just breathed her in.

She was safe.

Addy’s chest and lungs ached, but the relief of being in Heath’s arms eased the panic and made it easier to breathe.

She squashed the urge to burst into tears. She could do that when her lungs wouldn’t rebel. For now, she gulped in deep breaths and held onto Heath.

Someone tucked a blanket around them, but she couldn’t lift her head to acknowledge them. Hanging on was enough.

“I love you, Addy. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

She whispered, “I love you, too, Heath. Thanks for finding me. I knew you would.”

He lifted his head to grin down at her. “I bet you were working on a kickass plan to take him out, but I’m glad you didn’t need to implement it.”

When she started to speak again, he hushed her. “Not now, let those lungs get used to the warm again. Lia said you were to limit your talking last time. We’ve got all the time in the world ahead of us. For now, just breathe.”

Her heart warmed at his words. All the time in the world sounded amazing.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind them, and she flinched. Had Jonas gotten free?

Heath kissed her forehead. “It’s okay. It’s Levi coming with an update. They’ve got Jonas contained downstairs.”

Levi chuckled as he came into view. “Slick could always tell our footsteps apart.”

The quiet man squatted in front of them and patted her leg. “We’ve got Jonas secured. He’s unharmed and very confused. He’s going to need some psychiatric help to deal with whatever snapped inside of him.”

Levi’s gaze switched to Heath. “We’ve got some vehicles heading up. Lia and Joe are in the first one, ready to take you both back to Addy’s house. The car will be warm, and Lia will check you over where you’re comfortable.”

She smiled her thanks as Levi patted her leg again and stood. “We’ll keep Jonas downstairs until you’re gone.”

Addy didn’t want to be a coward, but she couldn’t deny the relief she felt at not having to see him until she was in control of her body and her emotions.

It wasn’t long before Heath bundled her into the back of Joe’s car. He didn’t let her go on the short trek down the hill to her home. Once they were inside, he kicked off his boots, and Lia slid off Addy’s. When she tried to protest that she could handle it herself, they both reminded her to stop talking.

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