Page 111 of Betrayed

“Meg, Honey, it’s a graze,” John reassured her.

She looked at Jack for confirmation. “He’s right,” Jack wrapped an arm around her, “It’s nothing Doc G. can’t fix.”

We visited the doctor at the local clinic so often we were on a nickname basis.

A collective sigh of relief huffed over the comms.

Knowing John was okay, I turned my full attention back to Blake and pulled her into my arms.

Chapter 51

Blake

Ifelt awful, but I couldn’t look at my father, let alone talk to him, when they brought him out. My heart had swelled with gratitude when AJ stepped between us to shield me.

From my father.How fucked up is my life right now?

AJ turned away when Meg asked John if he’d gotten shot, but not for long.

“Is he okay?” I asked from the warmth and safety of AJ's arms.

“He is, though Meg's convinced.” He leaned back and lifted my chin. His love radiated off him like a neon sign flashing in the night, knocking me off balance. Physically and emotionally.

I looked away and saw a man face down in the grass.How many men did they kill to rescue me? And how had I not noticed them before now?

It didn’t matter. They were hardened criminals, and I didn’t doubt for a second they’d take turns raping me before killing me.

Crowley hadn’t been subtle in the bedroom, telling me all the things he’d do to me before killing me. After taking all my money, of course.

I’d expected my father to say something, to at least try to help me. It’s not like I thought he could really stop them, but he should have at least tried.AJ would have.

I was so wrong about so many things.

My father wasn’t the man I thought he was. He was corrupt, and a coward.

Neither was Andrew Janerek, but in a good way.

My knees gave out as I remembered my fear of getting shot as Crowley dragged me to the floor.

“I got you,” AJ said as he scooped me up.

“It’s okay. I can walk.”

“Please let me do this,” he all but begged.

“Okay.” Being in his arms felt too good to argue.

Sirens wailed in the distance as I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him carry me down the steps towards the cars.

I refused to release the death grip I had on his neck when he tried to put me down.

“Sweetheart, I need to put you down so I can take off my belt.”

I forced myself to let go, embarrassed by my clinginess.What happened to being an independent woman who doesn’t need an alpha man?

Refusing to sound like I’d lost my grip on reality, I held back my laugh. The last few days had shown me, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that there were some things I needed an alpha man for.

Not just any man.

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