Page 37 of The Veteran

He nodded. “Several of your men are already on their way.”

“Thanks, King.”

“Was he trying to abduct her?” Joanna asked quietly.

My stomach cramped. “I don’t know. He had his hands around her throat. He might have been trying to kill her.”

She frowned. “But she’s no use to them dead.”

I shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I saw, Jo. I don’t know what he was planning. Hopefully he’ll talk when you question him.”

“Mm.” Her lips were pinched. “We’ll see.”

Sage and Willow broke apart.

Joanna blanked her expression and cleared her throat loudly enough to get everyone’s attention. “I’ll need to take statements from Kade, Sage, and Vic,” she said. “We’ll do that in the kitchen. I’ve also brought a photographer who will need to gather photographic evidence of any injuries. Is everyone okay with that?”

We all agreed.

“Great, I’ll start with Sage.” She gestured for Sage to follow her out of the room. My stomach plummeted as Sage left my sight. Logically, I knew she’d be safe with Joanna, but my heart didn’t want to risk leaving her unguarded. I could still recall the terror I’d felt at seeing her fighting for her life. It was too fresh.

The police’s questioning and evidence collection took several hours. By the time everyone other than Sage, me, and a few guards departed, the dark sky was beginning to lighten into dawn. I was weary, but adrenaline kept me going. Sage must have been bone tired. She was quiet and withdrawn and had been for some time.

“Would you like to get out of here?” I asked.

She frowned. “The new safe house isn’t ready yet, is it?”

“No, but we could go to the office.” I’d suggest a hotel room, but there were too many variables. We wouldn’t be able to make it secure. At least here we now had several layers of security in place.

“This is fine.” She sighed. “Honestly, I need a nap. Do you mind if I use your bed?”

The police had taken the bedclothes from her bed as evidence.

“No problem.” I hesitated, then added, “Do you want me in there with you?” I hated the thought of leaving her vulnerable again.

“I’d like that, thanks. You may as well get a nap too.”

I’d been about to stand, but I stopped, taken aback. “I don’t mind dragging a chair in there.”

She offered a small smile. “Don’t be silly. The bed is big enough for both of us. Besides, I like the idea of having you close.”

Okay, then. I wasn’t about to argue just for the sake of it. Sage went to the bedroom and I updated the guys outside. When I returned, I cleaned up in the bathroom and went to join her. Sage was beneath the covers, curled on her side. I considered taking my shirt and pants off but decided I’d better not. I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. I closed the door and got into the bed fully clothed, lying as far away from her as I could.

For a few minutes, the only sound in the room was our breathing, but then there was a rustle as she moved. I felt her slip closer to me, her back pressing against my side.

I smiled slowly and rose up on an elbow. “If you want snuggles, that’s all you have to say.”

Her cheeks turned pink. “I need snuggles.”

“You’ve come to the right place.” I rolled onto my side and wrapped my arm around her waist so her back flattened against my chest. “Better?”

She released a contented sigh. “Yes, thanks. I feel so much safer when you’re holding me.”

I nearly scoffed. I had no idea how she could feel that way when she’d seen the violence I was capable of.

“What is it?” she asked quietly. “You’re stressed about something.”

My jaw tensed. “It’s just that I don’t get how you can be so relaxed with me when you saw what I did to that guy earlier.”