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“I’m already in the kitchen.” Nate sounded his usual laid-back self. “The back door was wide open.”
Bella winced. “I guess I forgot to check if it was locked when Sonali went out, and I didn’t put the alarm system on because Jay was still in the building.”
Billy patted her shoulder. “It’s okay.” He could hear Nate coming up the stairs and kept talking to him. “Axel smashed through both doors, so you should be able to walk right in.”
“So I see,” Nate replied. “I’m coming in now.”
Billy made sure that Bella’s gun was in full view on the desk, and slowly stood up, offering Bella his hand to help her rise as well.
“You’re bleeding,” Bella gasped.
“Yeah, I think his ring caught me when he walloped me on the side of the head,” Billy hastened to reassure her. “Nothing to worry about.”
Nate stood in the doorway and slowly put his weapon away. “Nice job, guys.”
“You’re welcome,” Billy said. “He’s drunk and he’s still breathing, and that’s all you need to know.”
“Got it.” Nate went down on one knee and shook Axel’s shoulder until he groaned. “You’re under arrest . . .”
Billy moved over to where Bella was standing, one hand over her mouth, and put his arm around her. “How about we go into the kitchen and make some strong coffee?”
She nodded, and carefully stepped over Nate, who was busy calling for an ambulance and some backup.
Billy hugged her as they walked down the hallway. “You did good.”
She shuddered. “I’m not sure about that.”
“Yeah, you did. I believed you’d shoot him and more importantly, so did Axel. Your intervention gave me the moment I needed to knock him out once and for all.” He led her to the couch. “I’ll get the coffee. Do you want to text Jay?”
“I’m surprised he isn’t already up here demanding to know what’s going on,” Bella said.
As if she’d conjured him up with her words, Jay appeared in the doorway, his frantic gaze fastened on Bella, and he rushed over to her side.
“Are you okay? Nate just told me what happened. How the hell didn’t I notice what was going down.” He took Bella’s hand in both of his. “Did he hurt you? How did he get in the kitchen? Did you let him in?”
Billy stepped into Jay’s line of sight. “Maybe you could ease up on the questions, Jay. Your mom’s pretty shaken up right now.”
Jay briefly glanced at Billy and then returned his attention to his mother. “That’s it. You’re coming to live with Erin and me. I can’t let you stay here another night.”
Bella sat up straight. “No, I’m not going to do that.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not giving you a choice, okay?” Jay stated. “Just pack a few things and come with me right now.”
Bella looked over Jay’s head right at Billy, and he cleared his throat.
“Bella doesn’t want to live with you.”
Jay slowly stood and turned to Billy. “Look, I’m grateful that you were here, and Nate says you were the one who tackled Axel, but this isn’t really your business, is it?”
“It is if Bella wants it to be.” Billy held Jay’s gaze. “Your mother is a grown woman. If she wants to stay here maybe you should respect her decision or at least give her the time to come to one herself.”
Silence fell as the retired Navy SEAL contemplated Billy long enough to set all the hairs on the back of Billy’s neck on edge.
“Mom can’t stay here tonight. The locks need fixing.”
“Then she can choose what she wants to do.” Billy looked at Bella. “Do you want to stay the night with Jay, or come back to the ranch with me?”
Bella rose from her seat and came to stand beside him. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll have to stay nearby so I can be here early in the morning when the locksmith arrives.”
“Jay could do that,” Billy said firmly. “Come home with me.”
“Yeah.” Jay cleared his throat. “I’ll take care of everything. You do what you want, Mom.”
