His gaze shot back to the empty patrol car, a bad feeling crawling through his gut.
What the hell was going on?
He was about to check the back of the house when a scream pierced the air.
His heart slammed into his fucking ribs, fear blackening the world around him.
Addie!
Without thought, he pulled off his jacket, wrapped it around his elbow and smashed the glass beside the door. Then he reached inside and flipped the lock.
It took him less than five seconds to gain entry. Despite his speed, when he stepped inside, there was the crash of the back door slamming against a wall and a small, feminine groan from the master bedroom.
He had to choose—chase the asshole or go to Addie.
He chose Addie.
He sprinted into the bedroom, and his heart stopped at what he saw.
Addie lay on her side, hand on her neck, a hint of blood between her fingers.
“Addie!” He dropped down beside her.
Her gaze shot up, the terror in her eyes shifting to relief. “Noah.”
“How bad?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. Just a nick from his knife touching my neck.” She removed her hand and, sure enough, the cut was small.
Relief had the world graying around him.
“Go,” she pushed. “See if you can still catch him.”
He didn’t want to leave her. He wanted to stay here. Hold her. Protect her. But she was right. He had to find the asshole.
He sprinted through the house and crashed out the back door.
There was no sign of anyone, and the neighboring fences were so low, the person could have easily jumped any one of them.
The asshole could be anywhere.Fuck!
He stepped back inside and pulled his phone from his pocket to call Jesse.
“Noah.”
“Addie was attacked. I need you at her housenow.” Footsteps sounded from the other room, and he raced into the hall just as Addie went out the front door, towels in her hands. He cursed. “I need to go.” He raced outside after her. “Addie!”
She didn’t stop at his call, just continued to run around the house.
What the hell was she doing?
He reached her, and that’s when he saw it—the deputy.
He dropped beside Addie and placed his hands over hers as they pressed towels against the wound.
“I’ve called an ambulance,” Addie said quickly, her voice shaking.
He glanced at her, hating how pale she was. “I’ve got this,” he said quietly.
