Page 20 of Saved By the Sergeant

“Umm, yeah. But when I walk, I move like Frankenstein.”

“A sexy Frankenstein.” I blow her a kiss.

“You just think I’m sexy.” She blushes.

“Sure as hell do.” I swing my head around at the sound of an engine and crunching snow. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

I turn to see Gennie turning whiter than the snow. “It’s okay, sweetheart.” I run to her. “I’ve got you.”

“He found me…” she whispers, clinging to my jacket for dear life. “He’s going to kill me—kill you.”

A black Humvee with police lights crests the hill. “No, baby,” I pull her in tight. “Those are my friends that I told you about, the Whiskey Creek police officers.” She’s shaking so hard I swear I hear her teeth clacking.

The Humvee comes to a stop, and my friends, Brock and Mitch, jump out.

“Sorry it took us so long to get here. We had to wait for Skeeter to plow the mountain. You must be Gennie.” Brock sticks out a glove. “Good to meet you.”

“Any friend of Archer’s is a friend of mine.” Mitch takes out his badge. “We’re the good guys, I promise.”

“Baby.” I lift her face to mine. “They’re really my friends. They’re here to help us. To help you.”

“They don’t know Donny?” she whispers.

“We don’t know him, Gennie. But after being briefed by Archer, we’ve looked into him. He’s not a good cop. And he’s not a good man.” Mitch stuffs his scarf down the front of his leather jacket.

“He’s the worst of the worst.” Brock chimes in.

“I don’t understand.” She blinks.

“Let’s go inside to talk.” I take her hand. “There’s no way I’m letting you deal with this situation you’re in on your own, sweetheart. We’re going to keep you safe. We’re going to protect you. I meant it when I told you that your battles are now my battles. And that’s the way it’s going to stay, baby. Nothing you say, nothing you do is going to change that.” I tap the side of her temple. “So, whatever’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours, stop thinking it. You’re not leaving here. You’re staying. Come hell or high water. You. Are. Staying.”

Tears glisten in her eyes. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“On the contrary, I know exactly what I’m saying. Now come on, I promised my friends they’d get to taste some of your cooking.”

“You told them about my cooking?” She blinks.

“Absolutely. I was bragging.” I grin.

“We were drooling when he told us about the peach cobbler.” Mitch heads for the front door. “Do you have any left?”

“Of course not, you moron.” Brock whacks Mitch on the back of his head.

“I made a chocolate mousse.” Gennie offers.

“Perfect.” Mitch beams as he runs to open the door.

I scoop Gennie up.

“What are you doing?”

“You’ve got Frankenstein feet, baby. I’m carrying you.”

She hooks an arm around my neck. “No,” she shakes her head. “I mean, what are you doing?”

“I’m protecting what’s mine, sweetheart.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “And you are mine.” I press my lips to her mouth to prevent her from denying my truth. I set her down in the foyer, remove my boots from her feet, and help her out of her coat.

“Archie…” She strokes my cheek. “I am not your problem.”

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