Page 11 of Rush Turner
Now, Rush was in the line of fire because of me.
And the worst part? A tiny, broken piece of me wanted him there. I wanted and needed a Protector. We all did.
RUSH
I cracked the door an inch. Just enough to see the man outside flinch at the sudden opening. Hood still up, hands stuffed deep in pockets. Shifted his weight like he might run — or charge.
“Wrong apartment, buddy,” I said, voice flat as gravel.
He jerked back. “I’m looking for Jessa Monroe.”
Red flag. My pulse ticked up, but I didn’t show it. “She’s not here.”
“Don’t lie to me, man.” The guy took a step forward, shoulders twitching. Predator telegraphing a pounce. “She owes me. Tell her to come out, or I'll come in.”
I smiled. Cold. Slow. The kind of smile that makes grown men rethink their life choices.
“Try it.”
He hesitated — then his right hand twitched toward his pocket. I didn’t wait.
I slammed the door, flipped the deadbolt, and pivoted back toward the hall just as Jessa peeked out, tears shining on her lashes.
“Rush—”
I strode to her, cupped her face, and pressed my forehead to hers. She was trembling. I forced every word out steadily and calmly.
“Who is he?”
She choked. “My sister’s stalker. He blamed me—he said she was his and he’d find me. Hurt me. I didn’t know he—I’ve been hiding here. He has already hurt us. he beat me and my sisters up. And my siblings are hiding where he can’t find them.”
“Hey. Look at me.” I tipped her chin up. “He’s not touching you. Not now. Not ever again. You understand me? Where is your sister?”
She nodded, her breath hitching. Her hands were fisted in my shirt as if letting go would mean she’d drown. “I’m not taking a chance on saying where she is.”
“Rush… he’s crazy. He has—he has friends. He told us they were watching us. He—it was hard getting Joanie away from him.
“Sunshine.” I kissed her hard and fast, just enough to quiet her panic for one heartbeat. When I pulled back, my voice was like iron. She seemed eager to keep kissing. I would take care of that later.
“He picked the wrong damn woman to chase. And the wrong man to piss off.”
The fool didn’t wait.A thump struck the door. Then another — heavier. A boot. Trying to break it down.
Behind me, Jessa gasped.
I shoved her gently back toward the bedroom. “Under the bed. Now.”
She hesitated. I growled, “Jessa. Now.”
She bolted. Smart girl.
I turned back to the door, rolled my shoulders once, and let the part of me out I usually kept buried deep under polite smiles and mechanic grease.
Time to remind this bastard exactly who the hell he was dealing with.
9
Rush
