She nodded but didn’t pull away.
Micah let himself have the moment. Let himself feel the solid weight of her in his arms. Let himself acknowledge—just for a second—how terrified he’d been that he wouldn’t get here in time.
Then he pulled back, his hands resting on her shoulders, and he looked at her. “We can’t stay here long. I need to get you back to my SUV. Then I need to go talk to whoever’s in that house.”
Naomi nodded. “Good Boy?—”
“I’ll get him. But first, I’m getting you out of here.”
She didn’t argue.
He stood and offered his hand again. She took it, wincing as she put weight on her ankle.
“Can you walk?” he asked.
“I think so.”
He stayed close, one hand hovering near her elbow, ready to catch her if she stumbled.
They started back toward the road, moving slowly through the trees.
Micah kept his senses sharp, his hand never far from his weapon.
The men who’d chased her were still out here somewhere.
He couldn’t chance being taken by surprise.
Naomi was thankful that Micah stayed close as they made their way back through the woods.
Her ankle was holding but barely. Every few steps, she winced, trying to hide her pain but failing. She didn’t deserve any sympathy right now.
When they finally broke through the tree line onto the road, dusk pressed in around Micah’s and Naomi’s SUVs.
Micah guided her toward the passenger door of his vehicle. “You’re riding back with me. We’ll figure out your SUV later. Right now, I need to know you’re safe.”
Naomi opened her mouth to protest then stopped. She’d save her arguments for after she got off her ankle. She knew the swelling was getting worse.
She limped toward his SUV, and Micah helped her settle into the seat.
She moaned slightly as she shifted her weight, pulling her leg in.
He closed the door, moved around to the driver’s side, and climbed in.
For a moment, the two of them sat there. The engine idled. The radio crackled softly with dispatch chatter.
Naomi stared straight ahead, her hands clenched in her lap. But a single thought in her head wouldn’t let go.
“Micah,” she murmured. “We have to get Good Boy.”
“Naomi—”
“Please. He’s right there. In that backyard. Tied up.” Her voice shook. “I saw him. We can’t just leave him.”
Micah’s jaw visibly tightened. “Those men are still out there somewhere. The ones who chased you. I don’t know if they’re armed. I don’t know how many of them there are. I don’t know what we’re walking into.”
“I know. But?—”
“We need to do this the right way and wait for backup.”
