Page 83 of Protect My Heart

“What did he do?” His anger seeped through the phone.

“Cool it. It wasn’t him. It was me. I screwed up, okay. Do you have his address or not?” When would he learn this was her life? Her choices. And her mistakes to make. “Enough with the protective BS. I’d think you’d think better of your partner. He’s amazing.”

And I love him.

“I’m sorry, you’re right. He’s a great guy. And he’s been hurt before. I’ll text you his address.”

“Thank you.”

“And Lizzie.” His voice softened. “Don’t break his heart.”

That’s why she loved her cousin. He may be a stubborn egotistic male, but he loved his family and friends, and only wanted the best for them.

“Never.”

With the address programmed into her phone, she started her car again. Before she could put it in gear, someone knocked on her window.

He looked familiar. Had she met him before?

Before she could place him, the window shattered.

She jumped. What the hell?

By the time she realized what had happened, he was reaching inside.

No! She stomped on the gas pedal but the car didn’t move.

His large gloved hands grabbed her neck. Gasping for air, she fumbled with her phone.

Her eyes started to lose focus. Concentrating all of her energy, she clawed at the man, trying for his face. Her grabs brought up air.

No. No. No. She screamed in her head as her vision grew dark.

The last thing she felt was her phone as it slipped from her fingers.

Tigger dropped the ball in Jim’s lap for the hundredth time since they’d been home. The first half hour, the dog had sat by the door, vigilant. After the second time he took Tig out, Jim realized the dog missed Doc. The best way to take Tigger’s mind off the woman who wouldn’t be a part of their lives was to throw the toy. That or beer, but Jim didn’t feel like cleaning up dog vomit later.

Jim reached for the case of beer next to the recliner. Coors and pain killers, not the smartest combo, but it might dull the pain in his chest. His fingers just grazed the icy can when his front door opened.

“What the fuck do you want?”

Jordan grabbed a beer and sat down on the couch. “Can’t I come check on my baby brother?”

“Mom and the girls were here the other day. You can go away.”

Jordan lifted a brow at Jim’s pissy tone. He surveyed the apartment then pinned Jim with a steely glare. “Where’s the lovely doctor?”

“Why? You want to ask her out?” He tipped the bottle up and downed half his beer. “You better hurry. She’s moving to Virginia.”

If it surprised Jordan, he didn’t show it. He nodded and lifted his beer. “Well good. Wouldn’t want you to get too attached.”

“Fuck you.” What did he know about getting his heart broken? His brother never let a woman into his life for more than a month.

“God, you’re a stubborn ass. Can’t you see she’s perfect for you?”

“It ain’t stopping her from moving halfway across the country.”

“Have you talked to her about where she sees this thing going between you two?”