Page 25 of Heart of a Hero

Justin paused. “You mean you haven’t taken her out on your bike yet?”

Dawson shook his head. “No time. We always have Taylor with us.”

“Well, shit.” He glanced at the parking lot. “Let me have the keys to your truck. I’ll let you ride my bike home today, if you promise to treat her gently.”

Dawson arched an eyebrow. “You’re going to let me touch your precious Dyna Glide?”

Justin gave a curt nod. “Yep. You’re trusting me with your girl, so I’ll trust you with mine. Nora, are you ready to go?”

I glanced at Dawson, silently thanking him once more for being my lifeline in this storm. Then, I turned back to Justin, squaring my shoulders. “I’m ready.”

Dawson pulled out his keys and swapped them for Justin’s, then he kissed the top of my head. “Be careful.”

We walked out of the fire station with Justin’s solid presence beside me. I’d have preferred for Dawson to take me home, but I knew he had to work. It was time to put my big girl panties on and face this like an adult.

The cool evening air hit my face, while my heart hammered in my chest. Justin’s steady footsteps fell into rhythm beside me as we walked toward Dawson’s truck. I eyed the motorcycle parked nearby and wondered if it was similar to the one Dawson said he owned. I still hadn’t seen it. But he’d been correct when he told Justin we always had Taylor with us. I wondered if Akira would be willing to babysit long enough for us to take a ride sometime.

Justin unlocked the truck doors with a soft click. He opened the passenger side, and I slid inside, sinking into the seat. It felt odd getting into the vehicle without Dawson.

As Justin settled into the driver’s seat, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder, scanning the street for any sign of Rex. The rational part of my mind knew he wouldn’t have followed me here, or if he had, he’d have left when he realized I was at a fire station. But the fear that had taken root in my heart whispered otherwise, that he could still be watching and waiting.

“Nora.” Justin’s voice pulled me back to the present. “I promise you, I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you safe. Rex has to go through me to get to you. And trust me, I’ll do whatever I can to keep him away. My life depends on it.”

“What?”

He smiled faintly. “Pretty sure Dawson would kick my ass if I let you get hurt.”

I met his gaze and wondered if he was joking or being serious. “He wouldn’t really…”

“Are you sure?”

When he put it that way, no I wasn’t. I knew he’d punched Rex a few times. It was possible he’d hit Justin if I got injured on his watch. Why did that make me feel all warm and fuzzy? The thought of violence should terrify me, all things considered.

As we pulled away from the curb, I couldn’t help but peer into the side mirror, half expecting to see Rex’s menacing figure emerge from the darkness. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every passing car a potential danger.

Justin must have sensed my unease because he spoke again, his voice cutting through the tense silence. “I’m taking a different route back to your place, just to be safe. We’ll keep an eye out for any signs of trouble, but I don’t want you to worry. I’ve got this. I’m trained for situations like this, so you’re in good hands.”

I nodded, trying to let his words sink in. The streets whipped by outside the window. My mind raced with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if Rex found Taylor and hurt her? What if Akira was now in danger as well?

“Breathe, Nora.” Justin’s calm voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. “We’re almost there. Just a few more minutes.”

I forced myself to take a deep breath, focusing on the steady purr of the engine and the warmth of the heater against my skin. I had to trust in Justin and Dawson.

The truck slowed to a stop outside Dawson’s apartment building, and I felt a fresh wave of anxiety wash over me. Justin turned to face me, his blue eyes steady and reassuring. “We’re going to walk up to the apartment together. If something happens, don’t freak out. I’m not only armed, but I’m an off-duty police officer.”

I managed a small nod. We made our way up the stairs, Justin’s presence a comforting weight at my side. He insisted on entering the apartment first, checking each room with a practiced efficiency that spoke of his police training. Only when he was satisfied everything was clear did he allow me to step inside.

“I’ll be keeping an eye on the area tonight,” he said, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “If anything seems off, even the smallest detail, you call me right away. Understood?”

“I don’t have your number.”

He reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet, then handed me a business card. “It has both my office line and my cell phone on there. Make sure you call, okay?”

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. “I will.”

Justin nodded, his gaze holding mine for a long moment. “Good. Try to get some rest, Nora. I won’t go anywhere until after Dawson is home.”

With those parting words, he slipped out of the apartment, the door closing softly behind him. I stood there for a long moment, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. Dawson’s scent surrounded me, a mix of woodsmoke and something uniquely him, and I felt a sudden rush of gratitude for his presence in my life.

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