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Two police cruisers raced into the parking lot, coming to a screeching halt. Officers hurriedly left their vehicles.
“Freeze!” Some rookie dumbass had the audacity to draw on Kellan.
“What’s going on here, Kellan?” Officer Jack Greber was on the scene. “Larry, lower your weapon! He’s one of the good guys.” A beat later, he added, “At least, I think he is. Quit choking him, Kellan. You’ll kill him.”
“Jack, that might be a good thing.” Kellan loosened his grip but decided it didn’t feel right. He added pressure once more, just enough to prove he meant business. “This guy attacked Jade Summers.”
“For the love of God, Kellan.” Jack pulled him away from the beast. “What are you trying to do? Murder him in cold blood and in front of witnesses?”
He’d thought about it.
The other officers rushed Jade’s attacker. He was dragged to his feet and secured in handcuffs.
Kellan glared at the sorry excuse of a man. Rage pumped through his body as he studied the van right next to Jade’s parked car. If he hadn’t been there, this guy would’ve taken her hostage and then what? He glanced at Jade, noticing the fright in her eyes, the way her body shook violently as if she were scared to death.
She had every reason to be afraid. If this burly fellow worked for Hank Sarsarone, then he was there for a purpose and money was driving him. Hank’s thugs earned more than a few pennies for their time. Because of the income and the perks, they seldom made mistakes.
“Listen, you.” Kellan pointed. “Come after her again or anyone I know or care about and I’ll kill ya with my bare hands.”
“Kellan!” Jack pushed him aside. “For heaven’s sakes! Remember where you are! There’s an audience full of kids here.”
Kellan jerked free of Jack’s grip. “And there would’ve been a lot of witnesses if Jade had been abducted, but nobody would’ve seen anything.” This time he jabbed his finger against the attacker’s chest. “Ask Hank how he’d feel if someone went to his grandchild’s school.”
“Are you threatening Mr. Sarsarone?” The fellow laughed. “I’ll need your name please.”
“What I thought.” The dumbass didn’t even know what had happened. Kellan needed confirmation so he could report back to his boss and the Cartwells. “So Hank Sarsarone made his first move.” He snorted at that. “Tell him we’re ready for him.”
It was time to play hardball. “And the name is Kellan. Kellan Andrews. Tell him to send a damn army.”
* * * *
An hour later, Kellan followed Jade home. Kane and Evan Cartwell had arrived on the scene soon after the cops arrested the man who had attacked her. With Kane there to watch over Nory, Kellan had offered to take her home but she’d refused.
Jade was shaken but not rattled enough to leave her car in an open parking lot where one of Sarsarone’s guys could vandalize it. She wheeled into her driveway, hit the garage door opener, and parked a few seconds later.
Kellan was on his game. By the time she removed her keys from the ignition, he was opening her door.
Everything about him screamed sex appeal. At least six-foot-four, he was ripped and cut, a tough guy of sorts. His neck and face were toned and totally perfect. A firm jaw, gentle lips, and a well-defined chin made him look sculpted in a way, as if some famous artist had crafted him for the ladies. Had that been the case, the artist would’ve undoubtedly realized he’d created a masterpiece. Even Kellan’s five o’clock shadow added to his good looks. In a way, it made him look more rugged for the wear.
“Are you okay?” Kellan cocked his head and peered down at her.
Jerking away from her thoughts, she quickly asked, “Would you like to come in?”
“Do you live here alone?”
There wasn’t any play in his voice and she realized then what he planned to do. The Clink bartenders had a reputation for protecting their own and watching out for all women. Jade knew the drill. She’d watched Kellan and others like him search through a house or building before Nory could even enter.
“Jade?”
“Yeah?” She shook off her temporary zoned-out state and added, “I mean, yes. I live here alone.”
For a split second, he seemed stumped. Then he passed her. “Wait here.”
“I’m coming in there, too,” she said, feeling safer as long as she could stay close to him.
“All right,” he said. “You can show me around.”
Together they walked through her condominium, opening closets, peering under and around furniture, and checking windows and doors for secured locks. Soon, they were right back where they’d started. He stood next to the refrigerator, mere steps from the garage. The way he watched her made her slightly uneasy. Should she invite him to stay for a drink, a cup of coffee, or perhaps an early dinner?
