Page 84 of One Forbidden Moment

Chapter 32

Jillian

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Jillian sat at thekitchen table, wrapping her hands around a warm mug she wasn't drinking from.The exhaustion from the last twenty-four hours settled deep in her bones.It was the mix of fear, desperation, and questions that had her clinging to Moe as if the world was ending.

"You need to eat something."Moe stood at the counter finishing his coffee."Keep up your strength."

"I don't think I can swallow anything."She leaned back against the chair.

Moe stood near the counter, watching her with a protective tension that hadn't eased since the men had crowded the street.His gaze moved over her like a shield, keeping the entire town away from her.

She hated that he worried about her.As hard as it was, she tried to keep her worries to herself.It wouldn't do either one of them any good if she complained about being away from her mom and missing work.

A sudden knock hit the front door, sharp and deliberate, echoing through the house.Jillian jolted, turning to Moe.

He lifted a hand, motioning for her to stay in the kitchen, and moved across the room, picking up the metal hair-cutting shears, gripping them like a weapon.

He walked into the living room with slow, controlled steps.

She whispered, "Be careful."

A tremor of fear ran through her at the sight of the weapon and the steely way he held himself.She hated this.

He approached the door, shoulders tense, every movement deliberate and ready.Her instincts screamed at her not to let him go out of the house without her.

She walked slowly.Her bare feet were silent against the floor as she moved behind him.As she reached his back, her body shook.

"I'm right here," she whispered.

Moe glanced over his shoulder."Stay behind me."

"I will."

He unlocked the door and pulled it open in one swift motion.The outside air spilled in, revealing Vaughn standing on the porch.

She rocked back on her heels.

Moe reacted instantly, grabbing Vaughn by the collar and yanking him inside with brutal force.Jillian barely stepped out of the way as Moe locked Vaughn in a headlock, the metal shears pressed hard against his throat.

She cried out, "Moe, don't!"

Moe froze at the sound of her voice, his grip tightening but not finishing the motion.His usually clear gaze was muddled with rage.She swallowed hard, unsure if he could even see her.

Her breath rushed out in a desperate plea, her hand reaching for his arm."Please...don't kill him."

Vaughn's breath came shallow and strained as he stood pinned against Moe's chest.She stepped to the side, drawing Moe's attention to her.

"Look at me, babe."She patted her chest.

Moe's eyes flicked to hers, the fury in them flickering under the weight of her voice.Her heart twisted.He fought the instinct to protect her with violence.It was second nature to him.He'd told her stories of how he'd lived with the motorcycle club, avoiding the law.

She whispered, "We can't do this."

"I came to talk," Vaughn said, voice rough from the pressure at his throat.

The words scraped against her nerves like sandpaper.She stayed behind Moe, her hand still on his arm.