Page 65 of Protection for Nichole

“I’m not holding back any longer.”

That was Jay. Apple worried that his friend would end up hurt. He couldn’t let that happen. Apple had to act before Jay barged in and ended up shot.

Chapter 53

Jay couldn’t hangback any longer. Nichole was in danger, and he had to get her out of there. They’d already taken down one guy. Now, it was time to take out the second man.

He raced through the trees, making some noise, but not too much. When he was close to the open area surrounding the cabin he slowed, seeing Shine with one of the men on the ground.

Apple was at the front door, about to enter. He needed to be on that porch with Apple. He took off running, getting close to the house as Griz came up beside him. They’d worked together enough to know what the other one was doing.

Jay hit the first step of the porch as Apple opened the door and raced in. Griz was right behind Apple, and Jay followed them both in.

He wasn’t sure exactly what Apple saw when he entered the room, but when Jay came in, the man was on the ground, and Griz was moving to him to hold him down.

Jay moved straight to Nichole, pulling her up. He grabbed the knife from his pocket and carefully cut off the zip tie on her wrists. She threw herself into his arms, her body shaking.

He glanced over and saw that Squat was shoving his phone in his pocket. “What’s going on?”

“I took a photo of her wrists bound. I’ll delete it after the cops get here.”

Jay nodded and picked Nichole up, carrying her outside. He saw a car coming closer, and he realized it was the guy who’d followed the van. He needed to thank the man profusely. They never would have found her if it hadn’t been for him.

Pollard stepped from his car and came close to the cabin. Nichole glanced over and then snuggled closer to Jay.

“This is Pollard. He’s one of Rory’s friends. We didn’t know where you were. We were close, but Pollard went to the location where we’d last seen the van on traffic cameras, and he found the van and followed it out here. We owe your life to Pollard.”

Nichole sat up, her legs still shaking too much for her to walk on her own, but she tried. Pollard jumped up on the porch and took her hand.

“It’s an honor to help you. I don’t see it firsthand in the Marines, but I’m glad you’re safe.” Pollard’s voice cracked and Jay could see moisture in his eyes. The man was good.

“Thank you, man. I’ll never be able to fully repay you. If you need anything, you call on us.”

Pollard shook Jay’s hand. “Like I said, it’s an honor to help.”

Before Pollard could take off, the cops arrived. Of course, it was chaotic. It took a few times to tell the story before they realized that the convoluted mess was all they were going to get out of the SEALs.

Nichole confirmed that the two men the SEALs were watching over when they arrived were the two men tied to her kidnapping. She described in great detail what the man had said about the politician he’d destroyed. At some point, the man told Nichole that the woman’s name was Linda.

Jay hoped the information was enough to convict the guy. He wanted those men to stay in prison for a long time. Nichole was safe. They’d saved her, and he never wanted to let her go.

Chapter 54

Nichole kept replayingthe door opening and the look the jerk made just before Apple attacked him. She’d never been so happy to see someone in her life, except when Jay walked in a moment later. That had started the flood of emotions that wouldn’t stop.

The police asked her questions, and she answered as best as she could. The cops were shocked that someone from her past had hunted her down. The FBI got involved quickly because the jerk who had wanted to buy her was a businessman from England.

He’d run his mouth, telling her the name of the politician. Thank goodness she’d remembered that.

Whatever the guys had done to rescue her, the cops weren’t upset about it, so they were free to leave once the paramedic dressed her wound and she’d given a statement and her information. Jay sat in the back of Griz’s car with her, never once letting go.

When she could see the skyline of San Diego, she sat up, smoothing her hand over her torn dress. “They ruined the dress.”

Jesse had his nose pressed against the side of her head. “I’m just thankful we found you.”

She nodded. “I wonder if Danika has a dress I can borrow.”

“Maybe. We can go home where your clothes are.”

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