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Stan cut a narrow-eyed stare at Moe. “Hurt her, and you’ll regret it.”
Moe nodded. “Roger.”
To Breely, Stan said, “I’ll get a tow truck out in the morning to tow your car to a tire shop.”
“Thank you, Stan.” Breely knew she should move out of Moe’s embrace. The full-body quakes had subsided into trembling. But she couldn’t make herself move. Moe felt…safe.
“We need to get moving if I’m to get you to your place and back to the hospital before they need me there,” Moe said. “Ready?”
She drew in a deep, steadying breath. “I will be as soon as I grab my bag from inside.”
Moe shot one more glance in Stan’s direction. “I’ll take good care of her.”
“Do that,” Stan said. “And, Bea, let me know if I need to find a replacement for you this weekend. I’ll understand.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Bea led Moe through the back door to the storage room, where several old school lockers lined one wall. She reached inside one and grabbed a large handbag and a puffy jacket. “I’m ready.”
Moe hooked her arm and exited through the back door.
Stan nodded to Bea from where he stood with the sheriff.
Moe led Bea around to the front of the building to an SUV with the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport logo emblazoned on the doors. “It’s a loaner while I’m in town,” he explained as he opened the passenger door.
Bea placed her bag and jacket on the floorboard. Moe helped her into her seat.
When she fumbled to secure her seatbelt, he leaned across and snapped it in place.
His face was so close that all she had to do was lean forward just a bit and her lips would touch his stubbled chin.
Her pulse quickened, and her breaths caught and held in her chest at the exact point where his shirt brushed against hers.
He turned to face her. “Are you okay?” He touched a finger to the base of her throat. “Your pulse is still pounding. I can see it. You should have let the EMT take you to the hospital for a complete exam.”
“I’m okay,” she whispered, afraid to drag in enough air to expand her lungs and raise her breasts to touch more than fabric against him.
He stared a moment longer, his eyebrows forming a V over his nose. “I’m not convinced.”
Finally, he pulled out of the vehicle, closed the door and rounded the front to climb into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and sat with his hand on the shift, his gaze moving to Breely, a crooked grin widening his lips.
“What?” Breely asked. “Is everything all right? Did you change your mind? You are under no obligation to ferry me around.”
He pressed a finger to his lips. “Shh. It’s okay. I’m taking you home. But to do that, I need to know where you live.”
Breely’s cheeks heated. She let go of the breath she’d been holding and laughed. “I guess it would help to know.” She gave him the address.
He entered the data into the map application on his cell phone. When he was done, he showed her the screen. “Is that it?”
Leaning over the console, she nodded. “That’s it.” She sat back against the seat, staring out at the streets lined with lights at each corner.
He could take her anywhere, and no one would find her.
“Relax. I’m not going to abduct you,” Moe said. “If I were, I would be wearing a ski mask like the jerks who grabbed you. Stan’s seen my face and probably watched as we drove away, memorizing the license plate on this vehicle.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Sorry. I’m a bit punchy. It’s not every day I’m grabbed, knocked silly and thrown into a van.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. You are the victim. I just wish I’d been able to hold onto at least one of those bastards. I should’ve hit them harder.” He took one hand off the steering wheel and absently rubbed the knuckles of the other as he came to a stop at a traffic light.
