“We’re headed to you, now,” Emmett informed her as they walked swiftly toward the exit.
Cool air slapped his face when they stepped outside, and he couldn’t help but be thankful. For that and so many other much more important things.
“What the hell?” Lucas’ tone was that of surprise.
Emmett followed the man’s line of sight. There he saw the two men who’d been guarding the door, courtesy of Boone.
They were sitting with their backs against the stone wall, each with one wrist cuffed to a pipe secured to the wall. Both men looked pissed and a little scared.
Emmett couldn’t help but grin before turning his attention to the man doing his best to push Gwen’s hands away.
“I’m fine,” Boone grumbled as he ducked out of the concerned woman’s reach. “It’s just a bump.
“It could’ve been a bullet.”
“I’m still alive, aren’t I?”
“Because you werelucky.”
“Well I’m sorry.” The man’s sarcasm was thick. “Next time, I’ll be sure not to get knocked out by some asshole while trying to keep my eyes on twootherassholes. You’re welcome for that, by the way.”
The pair was bickering like an old married couple, which only made the grin on his face grow wider.
“Come on, Boone.” He motioned toward the direction of their SUV. “Maybe the hospital will give us a two-for.”
“I don’t need a damn hospital.” Boone scowled.
Gwen’s girl-next-door features fell into an exaggerated frown. “Man, you’re grumpy when you’re hurt.”
“I’m not hurt,” the other man bit back. “It’s a tiny bump on the head.”
“Oh, I wasn’t referring to your head.” She put on a look of pure innocence. “I was talking about your ego.”
The wink Gwen sent his way as she passed by made Emmett bark out a boisterous laugh.
“You’re happy.”
Janie’s sweet voice pulled his gaze back to her.
“I’m pissed that I can’t kill those assholes again for what they did to you.”
Her cheek was swollen and starting to bruise, there was a fresh cut in her bottom lip, and that cut?—
Those wounds will heal in time. Try to focus on the fact that she’s still here and very much alive.
“You’re back in my arms” he rumbled low. “So hell, yes, I’m happy.”
She closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest. “You have a great laugh.” Her lips curved into a small smile. “You should do it more often.”
The chuckle that came next wasn’t nearly as loud or shoulder-shaking. But that was okay, because Emmett had a feeling, with this woman in his life, there were many more full-belly laughs to come.
“Hey!” A man hollered out from behind them. “What about us?”
They stopped to look back at the two men stillcuffed to the pipe. His teammates looked to him, but Emmett punted the question to Boone.
“You’re the one with the badge.”
“They’ll be fine.” The other man turned around and resumed his steps with a surprising, “I already called it in.”
