“Eyes closed.” A large hand pressed her face to his chest.
What? Why? Oh. Was he trying to shield her from whatever he’d done to Trenton?
“You don’t need to shield me, I was an FBI agent. I’m sure I’ve seen worse.”
Right. Like when? Other than being shot, you barely saw more than a paper cut. Although, darn did those hurt.
“Don’t care. Eyes closed.”
“You’re very bossy.”
He just grunted.
But she kept her face against his chest as he carried her through the woods.
“I can walk.”
Another grunt.
“Really. You don’t need to carry me. Aren’t I getting heavy?”
Snort then grunt.
“I wish I spoke caveman,” she muttered then slammed her hand to her mouth as he let out a low bark of laughter. “I’m so sorry, that was very rude. I appreciate you helping me. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know.”
Another grunt.
Then she started hearing voices and as they stepped out of the forest, there was a shout. Finally, Jed set her down, only for her to be picked up and held against a wide chest.
A familiar scent hit her. As safety surrounded her.
Ed.
Home. Love. Safety.
And that was when she lost it.
Ed held her against him, felt her shudder with sobs. She soon wet his shirt through with her tears, but he didn’t give a shit. All he cared about was that she was safe. Relief made him feel dizzy. He had to force his legs not to collapse. He looked to Jed.
“Thank you, man. I owe you big.”
Jed nodded. “She’s good. Was hidden up a tree. Asshole was trying to drag her down.”
“Where is he?”
“Got to go back to get him.” He nodded over at some of the other JSI guys who had come out to search for Georgina. They’d let Jed go off on his own, he was the best tracker they had and he liked to work alone. Ed didn’t know how he’d managed it in the dark, but he wouldn’t waste time with questions. His girl needed him.
“Take care of her. We got this.”
“Jace, go with them.” He wanted this guy properly arrested.
Jace nodded and followed Jed and two other guys. Ed slipped his arm under Georgina’s legs and carried her to his truck. He tried to put her in the truck. But she wouldn’t let go of him.
“Baby, you’ve got to let me buckle you in. I need to get you to the hospital.” He looked her over using the internal truck light. She was wearing some light-weight running clothes which were ripped and dirty. She looked exhausted and bruised. God knows what that fucker had done to her. His blood boiled at the thought and he wished he could be the one to arrest him.
But his girl needed him more than he needed revenge.
Shivers racked her body. “No hospital.”