Page 25 of Under His Guard

My doc stared for a moment, then nodded and continued.

“When he grabbed me, I shoved us into a pedestal with an antique typewriter on it. The thing weighs a ton, so I thought it would slow him down.”

“That’s some quick thinking, doc.” I smirk without thinking.

Clara rolls her eyes as she finishes the story.

“I was able to get away. Another guy tried to grab me by the hair, but I pulled free.” Her hand goes to the back of her head. “I ran up the stairs and called 911 on the landline in the kitchen. They followed me up, but I was able to slash at the guy with a knife. Then I took off for the street and ran into him.”

The cop looks over at me, and I nod with my brows raised. “Sup.”

Officer Jones, by the name tag, doesn’t seem to appreciate my tone and squints at me.

You’ve been told you have a problem with authority, and you know what, Luke, you do.

“Mister…?” He waits for me to fill in the blank.

“Luke Shaw.” I smile, folding my arms over my chest.

“Mr. Shaw, what brought you here to Ms. Stewart’s apartment?”

Looking over at Clara, I answer the officer without breaking eye contact with her.

“I had a feeling the Cobras would make good on their threat from the hospital. And look at that. I was right. That’s why I’ve been insisting the lovely Doctor Stewart should come back home with me.”

I finally look at Officer Jones again. “When she’s done answering your questions, of course.”

Clara pulls me away from where she’s been speaking with the officer, and I follow along, meeting her glare as we come face-to-face.

“Are you kidding me right now? I’m not coming to stay with you.”

“You’re clearly not safe here, Clara. The Cobras know where you live. Face it, I’m your best option.” I wouldn’t stop the smirk I deliver even if I could. “So, what’s it going to be?”

Chapter 9

Clara

I’m so tempted to actually slap that smirk off Luke’s face that it surprises even me. But I’ve had enough violence for the day, so I just leave him hanging and return to the officer.

“I’m sorry about that. I’ve been assisting Mr. Shaw with recovery after an injury by these very criminals. He was concerned and followed me home.”

I side-eye Luke as I mention how he took it upon himself to apparently stalk me and try not to dwell on the fact that it is a good thing he did so.

Thinking about what might have happened is not a smart idea. I know the panic a what-if downward spiral can cause, and it won’t serve me well or make things better.

Focus, Clara. Focus on what’s ahead of you.

As we’re standing there and the officer is about to reply, one of the two others who went inside comes running out, and my heart kicks back up into high gear.

“Mr. Chen! Is he all right?”

My eyes are already stinging at the prospects, but the cop jogging up nods slowly.

“He’s got a concussion, I’m pretty sure, but an ambulance is on the way, and he’s responsive.”

A sigh of relief slips free, and I sag into myself a bit.

Suddenly, I’m exhausted. My medical training reminds me it’s the aftereffect of shock, and I look around for something to lean on.

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