AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I ran to the car and put my hands on the window. I yelled Jill’s name. She didn’t even stir when I banged on the glass. Without thinking, I pulled one arm back and slammed it into the window. A big spiderweb formed on impact. I suddenly realized that if I hit the window again glass would fall on Jill. I quickly ran to the other side of the car and took out the passenger window, then I reached inside to unlock the door.
I could hear her heart pounding in a regular rhythm as I sank into the seat beside her. It calmed me down a little—until I gently pushed her head back so that it was resting on the headrest. That was when I noticed the gash above her right eye. I slammed my hand against the dashboard, shaking the whole car. Jill stirred a bit, and I immediately regretted my action, but thankfully she did not awaken.
Assessing her further, I saw that she had dried blood on her head and feet, and a series of bruises that were fast appearing on her face, legs, and arm. A deep growl escaped my chest, and I didn’t care who heard it. I was seeing red, and it was only because she was right in front of me that I didn’t smash our surroundings to smithereens.
I exited the vehicle and walked around to open the driver’s door. Gently placing my hands behind her back and legs, I lifted her out. My first thought was that she was as light as a feather. I could carry her all day and wouldn’t mind a second of it. My arms curled around her tightly, and I felt her snuggle closer into me. A sense of possessiveness washed over me then, and I closed my eyes, allowing the feelings to pass through. Even during the best of times with Kit, I had never remotely felt anything like I now felt for Jill.
Thankfully, no bones seemed to be broken, and her breathing was even. That calmed me down enough to start walking toward the elevator.
The elevator doors opened as I approached. It was quite a sight when Jacob, Bruno, Damon, and Brent poured out. Seeing Jill in my arms, they immediately rushed over.
“We heard you growl and came to see what happened,” Bruno said.
“I don’t know what’s happened,” I snapped. “I found her like this in her car. I’m taking her upstairs, so move over.” I realized I was being a bit gruff when they had only come down to help, but all I could think about was how I needed to attend to Jill.
“Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital? She could be really hurt,” Jacob asked.
“No!” The memory of what Jill had said about her ex working at the hospital made me hesitant to take her there. “I’ll have someone come here if we need to. Now move over.”
The guys moved out of my way so I could enter the elevator with Jill in my arms, and we went upstairs and headed to her room. Once there, Jacob tried the handle, only to find it was locked. Of course, it was locked. I had heard it myself when she had left earlier tonight—when I had been a douchebag and let her go alone.
Growling, I turned to head to my room. “Brent, search the car and see if you can find her purse,” I called over my shoulder. “I didn’t see it, but it might have fallen under her seat.”
While Brent ran for the stairs, Damon opened my door, and I immediately went in and placed Jill on my bed before unbuttoning her coat. As soon as her coat was open, I slid it off and noticed that the bottom half of her dress was ripped, showcasing her beautifully smooth legs. Before I could focus on her legs too much, I noticed the edge of the split was ragged. I bent over and took a closer look, and all the guys jumped when I grabbed the remote on the bedside table and threw it across the room, barely constraining the roar that threatened to come out of my mouth. That tear proclaimed that someone had been pawing at her and that she must have fought back! It could only mean one thing—whoever it was had attacked her without her permission, which was a big no-no for me and anyone in my pack, much less a stranger when it came to my mate.
Bruno brought blankets from the guest closet, and I was thankful I had my brothers here to help out. I didn’t bother looking at their faces, though, as I knew I’d see pity written across them. They were aware I was blaming myself for what had happened.
Brent came in and said, “Boss, there’s no purse in the car.”
I slammed my hand on the coffee table, which elicited a jolt from Jill. I reached out and rubbed a hand across her temple and down her hair in a soothing motion. As the smooth strands ran through my fingers, I realized that this was where I belonged—with Jill. Nowhere else. How was I crazy enough to think I could avoid her? She was my everything. My mate.
My wolf purred at the thought, relaxing now that I finally agreed with him instead of pushing against the inevitable. This feeling was nothing like what I had felt for Kit. I knew that if I lost Jill, that would be the end of me.
“Luc, is there anything you want us to do? Damon has already gone out to smell the perimeter and see if there was anyone lurking here,” Jacob said.
“You won’t find anyone here. Call Brandon. Tell him he needs to come over.”
I had a bad feeling I knew who had done this to Jill, and he wasn’t going to get to her again, even if I had to hunt him down and tear him limb from limb myself.
* * *
“You should really get some sleep,” Jacob announced.
“I did sleep!” I hadn’t meant to snap at Jacob, but what was I supposed to do?
“For thirty minutes,” Jacob shot back.
“Just let it go. How am I supposed to sleep when she still hasn’t woken up yet?”
“It’s four in the morning; she will probably sleep through till at least nine.”
I glared at him because he was making too much sense. “I’m going for a run.”
I got up to leave, but he interjected with something we’d been arguing about for most of the night. “If the scent you smelled is from someone looking to attack us, you should really let Dad know so we can bring the whole pack in.”
I didn’t want to hear it. “Just watch over her while I’m gone,” I growled, continuing toward the door.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Luc. You can’t help her if you’re dead.”
