Page 36 of Hunting Justice
Gaze on her lips, he eased forward.
Voices drifted from the hall. Jonah froze. For the love of everything, he was in his dead friend’s office looking for the documents to right a wrong. Not the right time or place to explore his new feelings for Noelle.
She took a step back, breaking the connection between them.
He brushed the hair from her forehead. “I apologize for the timing, but I refuse to be sorry for my intentions.”
She moved to a bookshelf and examined the contents. “We have a lot to do, so let’s focus on that.”
What had gotten into him? “I’ll comb through the paperwork in the file cabinet. I think that’s the most logical place.”
“I concur. Hiding in plain sight is—was—Ken’s style.” Noelle glanced at him, and her gaze shifted to the window.
Her brow furrowed. She rushed toward him, wrapped her arm around his waist, and flung him toward the floor.
The window exploded, raining glass over the room.
His side hit the desk. He grunted in pain.
The two of them tumbled to the floor along with items on the desk.
When the world stopped moving, reality hit him squarely between the eyes. His attacker was back and had Jonah in his crosshairs—literally.
* * *
Noelle lay on the floor of Ken’s office with Jonah underneath her, trying to catch her breath. If she hadn’t looked up at that moment and seen the glint of the rifle scope, Jonah would be dead. She placed her hands on either side of him and pushed up. Fire shot through her arm and she cried out.
“What’s wrong?” Jonah’s frantic tone registered, but she had to breathe through the pain.
Eyes closed, she rolled off him. “Stay down.” She clutched her right arm. Blood trickled between her fingers. The bullet had ripped a hole in her shirt and sliced her skin. Lovely. Another scar to add to her collection. What did it matter anyway? Her skin would never match up to her mother’s expectations. Flawless, model-worthy smooth skin was a thing of the past.
“He can’t see us down here.” Jonah’s hand covered hers and clamped down.
Nausea swirled in her belly from the extra pressure.
“I need to take a look.”
“No. It’s not serious.” She had no desire for Jonah to see her damaged body.
“I beg to differ.” His tone held the commanding edge of an ER doctor.
“Doc!” Bonnie’s voice rose in the room.
Noelle rolled her head to the side and opened her eyes. Jonah’s admin crawled to the doorway on all fours.
“I need a first-aid kit, but stay out in the hall. And call 911. Tell them someone shot at us through the window.” Jonah finished giving Bonnie orders and turned his attention back to her. “Noelle, I really have to take a look.”
Uh-oh, her full first name. “Fine. But let’s get out of here first.”
“Hold on.” He grabbed a clipboard and swept the glass aside as he army-crawled across the floor and edged against the wall. He gripped the pull and closed the curtain, blocking out prying eyes.
“Smart move.”
“What can I say? I’m not just another pretty face.” He chuckled. A bit strained, but she’d give him an A for effort.
“Cute.” She struggled to get herself upright.
“Wait. Let me help.” Jonah scrambled to her side. He hadn’t stood but hunched over as he hurried to her. He gripped her under her arms and lifted as she scooted against the leg of the desk for support.