Page 54 of Sexy Dare (The Sexy 1)

He raised the knife to her neck. “I just want my money. We’re going somewhere for the night, and first thing tomorrow, you’re going to the bank and giving me what’s mine. Understand?”

Careful not to move and cause him to stab her with the knife, she said, “Yes,” in a deliberately tiny voice.

Although Colton’s blade was small, it was sharp and she’d already felt it prick her skin. She was more afraid he’d hit an artery than she was of him in general. He was a shaking, pathetic mess of the man he’d been, but his tremors made him dangerous.

How did he think he was getting her out of here, she wondered, what with the front of the bar bustling with help and Jason’s family milling around? But she didn’t want to freak him out and cause him to react by asking him about that, so she voiced the other question on her mind. “How did you get inside?”

“I walked in with a huge party that was on the list.” He spoke like he was proud of himself. “Then I hid in the back and hoped I could get you alone.” His hand shook, which made her nervous.

She wondered when he’d had his last fix. “Colton–”

“Faith.” Jason called her name as he stepped cautiously into the hallway.

She was so grateful to see him, her knees almost buckled as she met his gaze.

“You okay, sweetness?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She swallowed, careful not to move.

“If you want her to stay okay, move aside and let us through.” Colton nudged her forward one step. Her ankle buckled and she yelped in pain.

Jason’s gaze narrowed, his fury at her being hurt obvious. “It’s crowded out front,” he said through clenched teeth. “Why don’t you take her out the back door.”

Colton shook his head. “That door’s got an emergency alarm. What do you think, I’m stupid? I checked it out earlier,” he said, tightening his grip.

Jason took a step forward as he spoke. “That’s okay. Tanner’s going to throw you out the back, aren’t you, Tanner?”

It was obvious they had company, and Colton clearly realized the same thing. “Fuck!” he yelled, and whirled around to check behind him.

Jason lunged forward, pulling Faith out of his grasp and into his arms just as Tanner dove for Colton, easily taking him down, Colton’s frail body no match for Tanner’s more muscular frame.

“Jesus Christ.” Jason lifted her face to his, running his hand gently over her cheek. “Does it hurt?”

She shook her head. “Not as much as my ankle. I wrenched it when I tried to get away.” She sat back on her butt and stretched out her leg.

He gently looked at the area, holding her foot, which seemed to be swelling, in his hand. “I’m sure you just sprained it in those damned heels.”

He glanced at Tanner, who had subdued her brother easily while waiting for the cops. “I was going to remind Tanner not to beat the shit out of him, but if the bastard gives him a hard time, I’m not saying a damn word,” Jason muttered, then turned his gaze back to Faith.

Acting on impulse, she scrambled forward and threw her arms around his neck, holding on tight. “Thank you.” Trembling, she felt better when he wrapped his strong arms around her and didn’t let go.

“I hated seeing him touch you. And that knife.” Jason uttered a curse. “It was small, but if it’d slipped because he was shaking so hard…” He buried his face in her neck, his breath warm against her skin.

“It’s over,” she said, tears finally coming to her eyes. “It’s all over.” So much more than she was ready for.

Pulling away, Jason met her gaze. “Faith, I–”

Before he could say what was on his mind, the police rushed into the hallway, separating Jason from Faith and taking over from where Tanner all but sat on the yelling, shaking Colton.

* * *

Jason paced the kitchen in his apartment, his head pounding, his heart a mess. First the police had questioned them for hours, taking statements about what had transpired in the club. Faith’s history with her brother took forever to explain, but, in addition to tonight’s attempted kidnapping, the incidents she’d documented with the Manhattan police, plus the information she’d told the on-scene cops that her lawyer had on Colton – photographs of her bruised neck, the judge’s willingness to seal her name change to prevent her from being found – meant things looked bad for her pathetic excuse for a sibling.

After calming all of Jason’s family down, seeing them out, escorting Charlotte and Lola to their limousines safely, Jason left Tanner and Landon to handle closing up the club. Given the swelling of Faith’s ankle, Jason had wanted to stop at the emergency room, but they’d agreed it wasn’t worth the hours they’d sit waiting to be seen.

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