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Miles was fighting back, but Jace was ferocious. His fists were flying, and he looked like a superhero.
Brad released her and shoved her away from him. Ayla stumbled but righted herself. The front door sprang open, and Brad turned to see who was coming in.
Ayla’s breath rushed out as Ammon and some men she’d met at church—Deltas or married into the Delta family—stormed in. Brad stood no chance as two of the men ripped him off his feet and pinned them between him.
Three other men hurried to Jace and helped him up, yanking the battered Miles to his feet. One of them grabbed the A.R. from the floor.
“You have the right to remain silent,” the guy holding the A.R. said.
“You okay?” Ammon was by her side.
“I am.” Her legs trembled and she would’ve gone down, but Ammon supported her with a hand on her elbow.
“Ayla,” Jace called out, rushing to her. His dark eyes were desperate.
Ayla tried to run to him, but her legs collapsed. Ammon helped her up. As soon as Jace reached them, Ammon transferred her weight to his brother.
“Thanks,” Jace murmured.
Then he was holding her. She could hear men’s voices around her, talking, asking questions, Ammon explaining how he’d checked the security cameras at the lodge on his phone app. He didn’t know if he’d been inspired or simply bored because the football game stunk.
The men went on talking, fleshing the story out as Jace told them everything that had happened from their end. The sheriff’s deputies showed up and hauled the men off. Sheriff Reed told her and Jace they’d be back to get statements.
All Ayla cared about was Jace. She clung to him and said silent prayers of gratitude. How could she ever leave his side? He was more than her hero. He was her everything.
* * *
It was late when Ayla and Jace finally got back to her rental house. They settled in front of the fire and Christmas tree and snuggled together on the couch. The statements and sorting things out had taken a lot longer than she’d wanted. Their time together had a ticking clock on it and she hated to waste a minute.
Apparently Miles and Brad both had long rap sheets, so the FBI had shown up and taken them and Bryan off the sheriff’s hands. Bryan might get a lighter sentence for testifying against those two, but he wouldn’t get off since he’d threatened both Ayla and Jace with a deadly weapon.
“You okay?” Jace whispered against her forehead.
“Not really.” She stared into his soulful brown eyes and felt the strength and warmth of his body against hers.
“What’s wrong?” Jace straightened.
“I never got a chance to give my hero a kiss of gratitude.”
Jace’s worried look morphed into a smoldering gaze. Ayla’s body trembled again, for a different reason, and she lifted herself closer to him.
“I guess you’d better remedy that,” he said huskily.
“Yes, sir.” She pressed in, and their lips met. Her mouth sang with happy fulfillment. The kiss became kisses, and she had no complaints about that.
Much, much later, they cuddled close. Her eyelids were heavy, but she didn’t want this night to end. They hadn’t talked about what would happen tomorrow. She had to go home and figure out a job and see her parents, her grandma, and Taryn. Could she come back for a longer visit? Would he come visit? Of course they could keep in touch with FaceTime, texting, and phone calls, but tonight was so perfect she didn’t want it to end. She loved this house, this valley, this Christmas feeling, and most of all, she loved Jace. Would she dare tell him that? Not tonight, but maybe soon.
She fought sleep, but couldn’t keep her eyes open.
Jace held her close. She could swear she heard him say he loved her before she drifted off, but she had probably imagined it.
ChapterFourteen
Jace woke the next morning to the Christmas lights and fireplace still on, a kink in his neck and his back, his right arm asleep, and the woman of his dreams cuddled against his chest. He stared at her face, relaxed in sleep, her long hair trailing across his arm. His body begged him to move and stretch, but he couldn’t do it. Couldn’t disturb this moment. Would she truly walk back out of his life today?
No. He wouldn’t let her. Couldn’t let her.
Unless she wanted to.
