Page 37 of Above ’N’ Beyond

That man in the park could have done anything to her, and there would have been no one around to stop him. If Jimmy and Jax hadn’t shown up when they did, she might have become another face on a milk carton.

She cuddled Gnocchi closer, grateful for the puppy’s warmth as she shivered, reliving the moment when she’d expected to be strangled or raped. Or both. The very same man had been sitting at the bar in her own restaurant. He could have been stalking her for days. For that matter, why had Jimmy been there? Was he stalking her?

No, stupid. She’d recommended the lake trail to him. But what were the chances he’d be there at the exact time she was? Coincidence, most likely. Or did Paola or Tony order him to follow her and watch her?

The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified. Whether Jimmy’s being there had been coincidental or intentional, he’d saved her life.

Unable to sit still, she set Gnocchi on the floor, then went into the kitchen and filled her coffeemaker with water. Gnocchi settled in a corner of the living room where she’d bunched up an old blanket for a bed. A car outside slowed, and she looked out the window, expecting to see Jimmy’s Tahoe pulling into the driveway, but it wasn’t him.

What had he meant when he’d said he would “take care of this”?

Assuming he subscribed to the same violent tendencies Tony did, her attacker could very well be floating face down in the lake or his body left in the woods for animals to pick at until there was nothing left but bare bones.

The images her mind conjured up made her hands shake even more. Water spilled from the carafe as she poured it into the coffeemaker. She set the carafe on the counter, then gripped the edge of the cold, hard granite. As if her life wasn’t complicated enough.

Knocking came from the front door. Bella gasped, then spun. Gnocchi’s high-pitched barks sliced through the air while he pranced back and forth in front of the door.

Through the living room window, she glimpsed Jimmy’s Tahoe. Being so distracted with her own thoughts, she hadn’t heard him pull in.

Taking a steadying breath, she looked through the brass peephole, confirming it was indeed Jimmy who’d knocked. Standing at his side, Jax panted, his tail swishing back and forth in a slow wagging motion. She twisted open the deadbolt and unlocked the screen door for him and Jax to come inside. Another frightening urge made the breath catch in her throat—the urge to throw herself into his arms.

Don’t be stupid. All she wanted and really needed was comfort. That had to be why such a ridiculous, impetuous thought had come to her. Didn’t it?

Jimmy stepped into her home, his first time being there. His presence was as big as his body and seemed to take up the bulk of her entryway. Jax trotted in, touching noses with Gnocchi, whose short tail whipped back and forth with excitement at seeing his father figure again. With Gnocchi on his heels, Jax proceeded to inspect every inch of her living room and kitchen.

Meanwhile, Jimmy watched her from dark, concerned eyes. She didn’t know how long they stared at each other. It could have been seconds, or it could have been minutes. She couldn’t tear her gaze from his.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said in a gravelly voice.

“Sorry?” She shook her head, not understanding. “For what? You and Jax saved me from—” She didn’t want to give voice to the ugly possibilities.

His throat worked as he swallowed hard. “I’m just…sorry this happened to you.”

“Me, too,” she whispered, and a sudden chill swept through her body.

Jax sat before her then leaned back, balancing on his haunches as he lifted both paws in the air. The dog looked exactly the way a person would if they were holding out their arms to hug someone.

She knelt and wrapped her arms around Jax’s back, leaning in and burying her face in his thick ruff. Jax rested his head on her shoulder, snuggling closer. Not to be outdone, Gnocchi did his best to mimic Jax, nuzzling his head against her leg.

Despite the canine comfort, the chill she’d experienced worsened, settling dead center in her chest and leaving her shivering uncontrollably. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, she understood what her body was saying. She was going into shock.

Tears streamed down her face, and she couldn’t catch her breath. Through the haze, she heard Jax and Gnocchi whimper. Strong arms pulled her to her feet then lifted her in the air. A moment later, a warm blanket settled around her shoulders. No, not a blanket. Jimmy’s arms.

He’d sat on the sofa, gently rocking her back and forth. His arms made her feel like she was cocooned in a strong, warm safety blanket, one that smelled really good, all spicy and fresh.

“You’re okay,” he whispered against the top of her head. “He won’t ever hurt you again.”

“Wh-what did you do to him?” she asked through chattering teeth.

“Shh.” His lips pressed against her temple. “Don’t worry about him. He’s gone.”

Gone? As in dead? she wanted to ask but knew better than to press for details.

Slowly, the rest of her faculties returned. Warmth from Jimmy’s arms continued to work its magic, easing the chill from her body. She nestled tighter against him, tucking her head beneath his chin as he continued rocking her gently. Something—or somebody—licked her knee. Jax. Unable to reach high enough, Gnocchi settled for licking her ankle.

Reluctantly, she eased away a couple of inches. Sympathy, concern, and something else she couldn’t identify radiated from Jimmy’s eyes.

His gaze dipped to her mouth. Involuntarily, she licked her lips, then parted them because she could no longer draw in enough oxygen through her nose. All the oxygen seemed to have been sucked from the room.