Page 23 of Heart of a Hero

But I knew with grim certainty he’d be back. It was only a matter of time before he came for me. And I was terrified of what he would do when he finally caught me alone and defenseless once again. Even worse, what would he do to Taylor? He’d used her against me more than once.

My heart seized in my chest as I caught a flash of movement in the parking lot below. A figure darted between the cars, their hooded sweatshirt obscuring their face. But I knew that lean, predatory gait. Rex.

He was here. He’d found me.

Panic surged through my veins, turning my blood to ice. I stumbled back from the window, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Oh God, what was I going to do? I couldn’t let him catch me. Not again. Not ever again.

Frantic, I spun in a circle, my gaze darting around the apartment. I had to get out of here. Now. Before he made it inside.

I grabbed my keys with shaking hands and wrenched open the door. Peering down the walkway, I saw it was clear. Rex must still be in the parking lot, hopefully far from where I was parked. I could see the bumper of my car from here. Seizing my chance, I bolted for the stairs, taking them two at a time in my desperation to escape.

“Please, please, please,” I chanted under my breath, bursting out of the stairwell and into the chilly night air.

I raced across the lot, fumbling with my keys to unlock the car door. A noise behind me made me whip my head around. Rex emerged from behind a parked van, his eyes blazing with fury when he spotted me.

“Nora!” he roared, charging toward me like an enraged bull. “Get back here!”

Choking on a scream, I flung myself into the driver’s seat and slammed the locks down. The engine sputtered and died when I cranked the key. I didn’t care the tires were slashed. I’d still use the vehicle to get as far from Rex as possible. It was better than the alternative.

“No, no, no,” I moaned, twisting the key again in vain.

Rex slammed into the passenger side of the car, his face a mask of terrifying rage. He pounded on the window with his fists. “Open the fucking door, Nora!”

Sobbing in terror, I abandoned the car and took off at a dead run. I had to find somewhere safe. Somewhere with people. Rex wouldn’t make a scene with witnesses around.

The fire station. Dawson was on shift. He would help me. He had to.

I sprinted down the sidewalk, Rex’s furious shouts and pounding footsteps spurring me on.Come on! Faster! I couldn’t let him catch me.

The fire station appeared up ahead, the lights spilling out into the darkness like a beacon of hope. I put on a burst of speed, my lungs and legs burning with the effort.

“Help!” I screamed as I barreled through the open garage. “Someone help me!”

Dawson looked up from where he was inventorying supplies, his blue eyes going wide at the sight of me. “Nora? What’s wrong?”

I flew into his arms, clinging to him as great, gulping sobs worked their way out of my chest. “It’s Rex,” I managed to get out between heaving breaths. “He’s after me. He chased me here.”

“Jesus,” Dawson muttered, his arms coming around me protectively. “You’re safe now, darlin’. I’ve got you. He’s not going hurt you.”

He guided me deeper into the station, his tall, strong body shielding me from view of the open garage door. I buried my face in his chest, inhaling the comforting scent of smoke and pine and man.

“Rex is dangerous,” I whispered. “He’s crazy, Dawson. I’m so scared of what he’ll do. He slashed the tires on my car. And I think he did something else to it. I couldn’t get it to start.”

“Hey.” Dawson cupped my face in his big hands, tipping my chin up to meet his steady gaze. “You listen to me, Nora. That piece of shit is never laying a hand on you again. I won’t let him. You’re under my protection now, you hear?”

I nodded mutely, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. Dawson brushed them away with a gentleness that made my heart ache. I wanted so badly to believe him, to trust that he could keep me safe.

“Let’s get you somewhere more secure,” Dawson said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and ushering me into the station’s living quarters. “We’ll make sure all the doors are locked. And I’ll call for some backup, just in case Rex is stupid enough to try anything.”

Some of the suffocating tension eased in my chest. I wasn’t alone anymore. Dawson would look out for me. He’d keep Rex away.

My shoulders sagged as Dawson guided me to a worn couch, the adrenaline that had propelled me here slowly seeping away. I sank into the cushions, my hands shaking as I clasped them together in my lap.

Dawson knelt in front of me, his eyes filled with concern. “I’m going to make a quick call, okay? I need to let Akira know what’s going on.”

“Akira?” My voice sounded small, even to my own ears.

“She’s watching Taylor for you, remember?” His voice was gentle, reassuring.

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