15

Chloe was in trouble. He could feel it.

Aidan’s tires screeched when he came to an abrupt halt behind Chloe’s car. The bakery’s blank windows showed no sign of life. Why were the lights off? Knowing Chloe, every bulb should be blazing. He ran to the entrance and rattled the handle. Locked. “Chloe, are you in there?”

Furtive movements at the rear caused the hair to rise on his forearms. Something wasn’t right. He raced down the side alley toward the back, hurdling fallen trashcans as he went, the smell of rotting garbage assaulting him.

Retreating footsteps echoed in the distance. Whoever it was had fled.

But where was Chloe?

His heart pumped a terrified beat. The back door stood wide open. “Chloe? Are you in here?” He pushed past overturned chairs and old paint cans, trying to find the light switch. Sweat slicked the back of his shirt to his skin.

A moan came from the corner of the room.

He rushed over, shoving debris out of the way.

Chloe lay sprawled on the floor, her legs twisted.

“Chloe!” He knelt beside her and brushed the hair off her face, flinching when his hand came away sticky. He could almost taste the metallic odor at the back of his throat. Panic curled in his stomach. Please Lord, let her be all right.

Aidan lifted her still form, carried her to his car, and laid her on the seat. Under the car light, she looked ethereal, her skin devoid of all color. Blood ran from her temple and soaked the front of her shirt.

With unsteady hands, he moved her hair aside and felt for the wound. A gash above her ear oozed blood. “Chloe, can you hear me?” He pulled a hanky from his jacket and pressed it against the cut. With his other hand, he caressed her pale face.

Long lashes fanned out onto her cheeks.

“Wake up, honey. Please.”

A small groan escaped her lips as her eyelids fluttered, and then flew open. Terror filled the amber depths. “Aidan.” She leapt up and buried her face in his neck. “Are they gone?”

“Yes. You’re safe now.”

Huge tremors wracked her frame.

He gathered her onto his lap and stroked her back, murmuring soothing words. “We have to get you to the doctor,” he said at last.

She swiped away her tears. “What about my shop? We need to call the police.”

“I’ll call Chief Hillier. Meanwhile I’m taking you to get checked out.” Should he take her to the hospital in Kingsville or let Doc Anderson handle it? He pulled out his phone and called the doctor’s office.

When he explained the situation, Doc told him to bring Chloe right over.

Aidan then dialed the police and left a message with the receptionist, who assured him she’d get the chief right over. He turned his attention back to Chloe as he started the engine.

“They sprayed red paint everywhere. Why would they do that?” she whispered.

He hadn’t even thought to check out the main area of the shop. “Do you know who they were?”

A solitary tear escaped her lashes.

She shuddered and he mentally cursed his insensitivity. “Never mind. We’ll talk about it later.”

****

Chloe’s head throbbed. Her limbs shook and her insides trembled. Whenever she closed her eyes, visions of the masked hoodlums forced them open again. Despite her discomfort, she attempted to focus her thoughts.

Aidan had asked whether she knew her assailants.

If she implicated friends of Matt’s, she might create a lot more trouble for the boy. Should she say anything or feign ignorance?

Aidan stopped the car in front of Doc Anderson’s medical clinic.

A sudden thought struck her as Aidan helped her out of the car. What if the villains went to the youth center to continue their reign of terror on Matt? She gripped Aidan’s sleeve. “Did you leave Matt alone?”

“I asked Nick to go over and stay with him.”

A cry of protest stuck in her throat. Nick could be in the line of fire too. The steely glint of the knife blade flashed through her mind. She clutched tighter. “Call him. Make sure they’re OK.”

“As soon as you’ve seen the doctor.”

“No. Now.”

Aidan’s gray eyes darkened to charcoal. “What aren’t you telling me, Chloe?”

Her legs almost buckled. Only Aidan’s grip kept her upright. Though still hesitant to reveal that Matt was involved with probable gang members, the very real physical danger seemed more urgent. “The guys who attacked me knew Matt. What if they went after him when they left my shop?”

A frown creased Aidan’s forehead. “I’ll call as soon as we get you inside.”

Doc Anderson immediately beckoned them in. He shooed Aidan into the waiting area, and then ushered Chloe into the examining room. “That’s a nasty looking gash, young lady. Care to tell me what happened?”

Chloe gave him a brief explanation. She gritted her teeth while Doc cleaned and treated her head wound.

He ruled out a concussion, said she didn’t need stitches, and told her the headache might last a day or two. Other than that, he pronounced her fit.

Chloe swallowed the pain tablets he gave her and stepped out of the examining room.

Aidan jumped to his feet. “How is she?” he asked the doctor.

Doc laid a reassuring hand on Chloe’s shoulder. “It wasn’t as bad as it looked. Head wounds always bleed a lot. Still, she’s very fortunate. A few inches over and that blow might have been a whole lot more serious.” He peered at her. “You take it easy tomorrow, young lady. Get lots of rest, and put some ice on that bump.”

“I will. Thanks, Doc.” As soon as they stepped outside, Chloe turned to Aidan. “Did you talk to Nick?”

“Yes. They’re both fine. Nick took Matt home.”

“Thank God.”

Aidan’s eyes narrowed. “I have some questions for you once I get you home.” His phone went off just as they reached the car. “Hey, Mike.” He listened for a moment then looked at Chloe. “Let me ask her. Are you up to talking with Chief Hillier now? If not, we can do it tomorrow.”

“Ask him if he’ll come to the apartment. I can’t go back to the shop right now.”

****

Chloe leaned against the back of her couch and relished the coldness of the icepack on her head. The interview with Chief Hillier had been draining. She hated having to admit that the thugs were connected to Matt, not wishing to cause him more problems.

The chief left with the promise to drive by the Browns’ apartment to make sure no unsavory characters were hanging around.

“This was all my fault.” Aidan’s gruff voice jarred Chloe’s eyes open. He stood by the fireplace, his back stiff.

“How was it your fault?”

“If I hadn’t been late getting to the youth center...” A nerve ticked in his jaw.

“It wouldn’t have made any difference, Aidan.”

He turned fiery eyes on her. “I would’ve taken one look at that bogus message and either gone with you, or had Mike check it out instead.” Aidan paced the length of the living room, running his hands through his dark hair. He’d rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt up to his elbows and loosened his tie. The whole disheveled appearance endeared him to her even more.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “For being taken in by a phony text message, and for not telling you who the thugs were right away.”

Aidan’s features softened, and he returned to sit beside her. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t be taking my frustration out on you.” He took one of her hands. “You have no idea what I went through finding you like that.”

She squeezed his fingers, a lump rising in her throat. “I never got the chance to thank you for coming when you did. If you hadn’t been there to scare them off…” Visions of the masked man holding a knife on her made her mouth go dry. “When they heard you at the door, they panicked and hit me over the head.”

“Oh, that makes me feel better,” he said wryly.

“They were going to cut my face.” A shudder went through her.

He stared intently into her eyes and cupped her cheek with his palm. “I’m very happy they didn’t get the chance.”

Chloe forgot to breathe as a hum of electricity passed through her body. She leaned further into his hand, seeking the comfort he offered—and so much more. “How did you know to come?” she whispered.

“I don’t know—I just did.”

Their gazes locked and held.

Her breathing became shallow. The intoxicating smell of his cologne mixed with his unique masculine scent, filling her senses as her lids fluttered closed.

His lips met hers in a quick brush and then retreated—a sweet tease to torment her, making her want so much more. She trembled as she waited and hoped.

Aidan let out a low groan and pulled her tight against him, crushing his mouth to hers.

The feel of his lips on hers ignited something deep within her, making her pulse race. An intense rush of emotion filled her as she kissed him back.

“Aidan,” she whispered.

A storm of torment crossed his face. He rested his forehead against hers, his breathing ragged. “I promised myself we wouldn’t do this again.” He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “But the thought of what could have happened tonight…” Regret darkened his eyes as he picked up the forgotten ice pack and held it out. “You should get some rest. Keep the ice on a while longer.”

She nodded, her system still reeling. “Aidan?”

“Yes?”

“Would you stay until I fall asleep?” She just couldn’t bear to be alone yet.

“Sure.”

“Thank you.” She laid her head on one of the pillows.

Aidan draped a knitted blanket over her. “I’ll put another log on the fire so it’ll stay warm in here.”

She sighed. The more Chloe was around Aidan, the more she admired him. He reminded her so much of Nick—and of her late father—a good, kind, and dependable man. She closed her eyes, but Aidan’s face filled her mind. She was sorry he felt their kiss was a mistake. Because this time she couldn’t regret it.