Page 8 of Lethal Game

"I don't want her to know anything about this. The last thing she needs is stress."

"What about your dad? Or Tim?"

She hesitated, then shook her head. Tim had been distant, unreliable, and more obsessed with his fantasy football league than with showing up when she needed him most.

And her dad…She wanted to speak to her father, but not now, and not about herself.

"I don't need you to call anyone," she said.

"All right. Then let's get you checked out."

It was almost two hours later before she was finished with tests and treatment. The CT scan had shown no signs of a concussion. The cut on her hand hadn't required too many stitches, and while still painful, it would eventually be fine. She was instructed to rest for the next forty-eight hours, hydrate, and call if she became nauseous or disoriented.

She slid off the exam table and put her sweater back on, seeing the blood on her sleeve that had come from the cut on her hand. The sight of that blood made her a little shaky, and she sat down in the chair to wait for Georgia to get a wheelchair to take her out to the lobby.

A moment later, the door opened. It wasn't Georgia; it was the man who'd rescued her, his eyes just as blue and compelling as she remembered. But now she noticed more details about hisvery handsome face, from his firm jaw to his beautifully sculpted features, tan skin, and sexy mouth. His brown hair was thick and wavy and a little mussed. He was tall and exuded power and confidence. She was more than a little grateful he was the one who'd heard her scream because he hadn't hesitated to jump into action, to put his own life on the line for a total stranger.

She got to her feet. "I forget your name."

"Jason Colter. And you're Alisa Hunt. How are you feeling?"

"Like someone hit me in the head with the butt of a gun; a sentence I never thought would come out of my mouth."

A small smile parted his lips. "That sounds about right. Concussion?"

"Just a nasty headache. Thank you for saving me. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come when you did—if you hadn't shot him." As she thought about those moments in the garage, a knot grew in her throat and moisture filled her eyes. She bit down on her lip, and his gaze softened.

"Don't think about what might have happened," he said. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."

"I almost wasn't safe." She drew in a strangled breath. "I could have died tonight." She blinked back a tear. "Sorry, I suddenly feel emotional."

"That's not surprising. The adrenaline is wearing off."

"I guess." As she looked at him, she remembered being in his arms, feeling safe in his embrace. She kind of wished she was there now, feeling protected, rather than chilled and alone.

"Why don't you sit down?" he suggested, tipping his head to the chair behind her. "You look a little shaky."

She couldn't say no, because if she didn't sit, she was probably going to either throw herself into his arms or pass out again. She took a seat as he sat down in the chair next to her.

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" he asked.

"No. Go ahead."

"Can you tell me what happened when you got to the garage, Alisa?"

"I didn't see anyone around when I came down the stairs. As I got close to my car, I started looking in my bag for my keys, and I got a bad feeling. Then I heard footsteps. I turned around, and the man rushed toward me. He shoved me against the car and demanded my keys. He got impatient when I couldn't locate them, and he dumped everything from my purse on the ground." She realized she had no idea where her bag was. "Where are my things?"

"Your belongings were given to the nurse at the ER desk. She said she would get your bag to you."

"Oh, okay."

"Why were you struggling with him if he just wanted your keys?"

"He didn't just want the keys. He tried to shove me into the car. I told him to take the car and go. But he insisted I get in, and I knew if I went with him, I probably wasn't going to be found alive, so I tried everything I could to stop him from putting me in the car."

His gaze filled with respect. "Good for you."

"But if you hadn't come when you did…" She shuddered again as she thought of all the horrific things that could have happened to her.

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