The detective’s expression grew more serious. “Not even … Damian Hesper?”
Chapter8
“Can you fucking confirm who he is or not?” Lachlan’s voice thundered through the plane, causing Gabrielle to jump. She turned toward him, peering closely as the pilot stalked toward the cockpit.
“Come on,” Stacy said. “Let’s get you back into the sleeping quarters where you can lie down.”
“I can’t. Not when Sebastian is still out there,” Gabrielle said, running a shaky hand through her tresses. Her stomach roiled and she felt like she’d vomit on the spot. A man had come for her, and she didn’t know why.
Stacy busied herself by closing down the shades of the airplane windows, restricting Gabrielle from seeing what Sebastian and the attacker were doing. She knew Stacy was only trying to give her privacy. The press was outside with their cameras, trying everything they could to get a glimpse of her inside the plane. To see how she was handling almost being attacked.
And how was she handling this?
She wasn’t.
“Trust me. Sebastian can take care of himself.” Stacy gently touched Gabrielle’s elbow and guided her to the back of the private jet. Gabrielle followed her reluctantly as she strained to hear what was happening outside. A soft thud told her Stacy had left her alone. Sitting down on the bed, Gabrielle bent over and forced her head between her knees. She took long, deep, controlled breaths, but they did nothing to calm her frazzled nerves.
What the hell had happened out there?
For all her years of self-defense training, she was ashamed to admit Sebastian had been right. As that man barreled toward her, intent on who knows what, she’d frozen. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t think of what position to take to attack, deflect, or protect herself. She would’ve been in deep trouble if it hadn’t been for Sebastian. He’d come crashing down like a wickedly handsome superhero. His actions had been precise, swift, and crippling, body slamming her attacker and keeping the man pinned to the ground until Lachlan got her safely back onto the plane. All within fractions of an instant, Sebastian had swooped in and done what she’d needed most.
He’d saved her life.
Without a second thought, he’d put his own life at risk to make sure she wasn’t hurt. This man who hated her for good reason had put her first. She gripped her butterfly necklace between her fingers as that truth settled within her. No matter what happened between them in the past, Sebastian hadn’t let any of it stop him from making sure she was protected from that maniac running toward her.
She may have been a brat, but she wouldn’t be one now.
Sebastian would hear how much she appreciated what he’d done for her, whether he liked it or not. Jumping off the bed, she hurried toward the sliding door to the sleeping quarters and flung it open.
Stepping into the aisle, she stopped and stared at the man standing before her. “Brad? What are you doing here?” Gabrielle asked as she rushed into his outstretched arms. His embrace was familiar and welcoming as he held her tightly. She relaxed and stepped back to get a good look at him. He carried a few extra pounds, and gray hairs had infiltrated his dark brown locks, but the piercing sapphire eyes were still bright and caring.
Before Sebastian’s heroics today, Officer Brad Shannon was the last person she could remember who’d gone out of his way to show her she was worth saving. He’d found her when no one else could, rescuing her from the shithole where Damian had locked her up. But he’d done more than rescue her from being raped and tortured. He’d convinced her crazed kidnapper to plead guilty to all charges. She didn’t have to suffer through a trial as the sentence was accepted without protest—thirty years in maximum security at Tiverton prison.
“Gabrielle,” Brad beamed as he stared back at her. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
“It’s so good to see you.” Gabrielle squeezed his hands, then stumbled as Sebastian pulled Brad away from her.
Before she could process what was happening, Sebastian maneuvered between her and Brad. He glared at the officer with suspicion in his eyes. His jaw clenched, and his luscious lips were pressed in a thin line. If looks could kill, Brad wouldn’t stand a chance. The air was charged with tension as the two men faced off against each other. Sebastian was more than protective as he pressed a hand against her hip to keep her behind him. She felt like they’d crossed another battle line. One where protecting her as his job had melted away into something more … personal. A subtle trace in his demeanor projected one strong emotion … jealousy.
No, that couldn’t be right.
Sebastian asked, “You know this guy?”
She pushed the thoughts away and answered him. “Of course, I know him. I owe him my life. He was the police officer who found me after I’d been kidnapped by Damian. I could never forget Officer Brad Shannon.”
“It’s Detective Shannon now, right?” Lachlan said, exiting the cockpit. “You parlayed that rescue into a promotion and transfer to the St. X Police Department shortly after, didn’t you? Not a bad reward for a job well done.”
The frown etched on Sebastian’s forehead grew deeper.
“I was promoted because I passed the detective exam and had a stellar record as an officer,” Brad responded without taking his kind blue eyes off her. “How are you, Gabrielle?”
“Well, I was doing great until—”
“The good detective scared the shit out of you,” Sebastian said.
“What? I don’t understand.” Gabrielle glanced back at Brad, noticing his clothes were disheveled and covered with dust. A dark bruise marred his pale skin, stretching across his neck. “You were the one who tried to attack me?”
Brad exhaled an exasperated sigh. “I’m sorry for scaring you. You’ve been through enough for several lifetimes. I should’ve realized how rattled you’d be to see me rushing to get to you.”
