Youre bleeding, he observed tersely, his gaze raking her form.
Surprised, she looked down. Her shirt was in tatters, and there was blood soaking it. She gathered the remnants of the garment around her. Its not mine.
He reached out a finger and tipped her chin up so he could study her. Whatever he saw in her face must have reassured him, because something in his expression eased. He looked past her then. Give Jolie or Dace a call. Get them out here. He walked by her to go to the aid of the woman who was even now struggling to her feet. And if that scumbag back there so much as moves, let me know.
With shaking fingers, Lindsay punched in Jolies number, relayed Jacks message and interrupted her friends questions with a terse, Just get out here. Bring Dace.
When she glanced his way, Jack looked like he had things under control with Sheila, so Lindsay edged nearer the man, who had risen to a sitting position, both hands clapped over his face.
You broke my damn nose, you freaking whore. His voice was muffled. My lawyer will sue your ass. Youll pay for butting into something thats none of your business. Langley, too.
You got off easy, she responded bluntly. And your lawyer is going to be too busy defending you from attempted rape and assault charges to worry about me. Hearing the sounds of footsteps running toward them, she turned to see Dace turn the corner into the alley, Jolie and a woman she didnt recognize on his heels.
Relief coursed through her. Look, its the cavalry.
Dace stopped at her side while the two women continued down the alley to help Jack with the injured woman. Hauling the man up by one arm, Dace growled, What the hell have you been up to now, Fallon?
Me? Fallons voice would have sounded indignant if he werent speaking through a broken nose. Sheila and I came out for a few minutes of privacy and the next thing I know that bitch over there is jumping me. And then Langley gets into the act. You tell him Im pressing assault charges.
Tell him yourself. Dace gave him a little push. Im parked in front. Lets go downtown.
I need a doctor! Fallon protested.
Ava and I will take Sheila to the hospital. Jolie strode up, eyes hard. Ill get her statement there, then meet you at the precinct.
Dace nodded then led the man away. Jolie and Lindsay returned to where Jack was waiting with Sheila and Ava. Quickly Jolie introduced Lindsay to Ava, who was another member of their SWAT squad.
I cant thank you enough, Sheila said shakily to Lindsay when the introductions were over. If you hadnt been there he would have raped me. I never wantedI told him no.
And I heard you. This isnt your fault.
Jack, see Lindsay home, will you? Jolies next words halted both their protests. Sheila will be more comfortable with Ava and me right now than you. And I dont want Lindsay to be alone.
Sliding a glance to Lindsay, Jack nodded. All right. Well be downtown as soon as she gets changed.
The adrenaline had faded, leaving Lindsay feeling sapped and spent. She hugged her arms tight around her body and willed her knees to remain locked to support her increasingly wobbly legs. She was only half-aware that Jolie, Ava and Sheila had gone when Jack approached her again.
She strove to straighten when he surveyed her critically.
You must have gotten a few good swings in.
Her entire body began shaking. I cant take credit for that. Youre the one who stopped him.
Youre in shock. He hauled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
Im not. She wasnt weak. She despised weakness. But she couldnt will away the shudders racing up and down her body.
Okay, maybe youre cold. Knowing that he was merely humoring her didnt make her feel any better. And me without a shirt to offer you.
For a moment, just a moment, Lindsay allowed herself to lean against him. His skin was hot despite the chilly air. She could feel his heart thudding beneath her ear, the steady sound comforting. For the briefest of moments, she felt completely, totally safe.
The sensation was foreign enough to have her stepping out of his arms. If shed learned anything in the last three years, it was that she couldnt depend on anyone else to protect her.
She liked her chances better on her own.
Avoiding his gaze, she folded the remains of her shirt around herself and held it in place by crossing her arms over her chest. Since Im not feeling particularly festive anymore, Ill think Ill head home.
Good idea. I know that lowlifes name. Rick Fallon. Hes a dispatcher from the Eighth Precinct, I think. Well get you cleaned up, then well join Dace downtown. Your statement will help support Sheilas. Fallon will try to claim that what was going on out here was consensual.
No! The strength of her protest surprised them both. Working to keep the panic from her voice, she forced an even tone. I wouldnt be much help. I didnt see a lot. Making statements would require ID, wouldnt it? ID that couldnt stand up to close scrutiny.
He frowned, studying her carefully. But rather than pushing harder, he just said mildly, Lets just worry about you right now. Maybe we should have a doctor check you out.
I just need to go home. Bending down, she tried to pick up the contents of her purse, which had spilled out sometime during the altercation. It was slow going, since she couldnt let go of her shirt.
Jack crouched down and scooped everything up and returned it to her purse, holding up the rolls of quarters with a cocked brow. Hope you nailed him with these.
I did. Not, she recalled, that it had slowed him down much. When he handed her back her purse, she pulled out her cell phone. Im going to call a taxi. Thanks for riding to the rescue.
Dont bother calling for a cab. He plucked the cell out of her hand, and, placing a palm on the small of her back, guided her down the alley. Youre in luck. Like I said, Ive got my sleigh and eight bored reindeer parked right out front.
Chapter Two
Jack Langley was a hard man to say no to. Impossible, actually.
Within moments he had Lindsay herded into the front seat of a sporty, low-slung car and had elicited directions to her place. Hed turned on the heater, but the blast of warm air wasnt having much effect on the shivers still skating over her skin.
Her teeth were chattering. She gripped her arms more tightly across her chest, vaguely disquieted that she had so little control over her bodys reaction.
With a clutch in her stomach, she realized her response had less to do with the attack and everything to do with the memory the stranger had unwittingly summoned.
You even think about betraying me and Ill kill you. Are you hearing me?
She slipped farther down in the seat, battling nausea. Every time she started to believe shed begun to put the past behind her, something happened to show her just how solid a grip it still wielded. Shed run over two thousand miles but nothing had really changed at all. Lindsay could still hear the menace in Niko Rassis voice, still feel the grip of his fingers around her neck.
And she still had no doubt it was only a matter of time before he caught up with her. Until she was resting at the bottom of a riverbed, just like her friends.