Page 67 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
Everything in Bryce stilled for a split second before he grabbed his keys from his pocket and gave Sasha’s leash a yank. “Sasha, car!”
She responded to his urgency, and they bolted toward his vehicle with the captain’s voice ringing in his ears.
Once he was on the road, headed in Jade’s direction, he directed his phone to call Jade.
For once the voice command actually worked and the call went through. His heart hammered in his chest while fear sucked the air from his lungs.Pick up, pick up.
On the last ring before voice mail, the line clicked. He heard a groan. “Jade? Jade!”
“Ugh. I’m here.”
Relief crashed over him. “Are you okay?”
“Trying to figure that out. I’ll let you know in a minute.”
“I’m almost there. Only a couple of minutes out. So are other officers. I was with Captain Colson when the call came in about an officer down and then dispatch said your name—” He stopped and sucked in a breath. Later. He could deal with his terror later. All that mattered was she’d answered her phone and was talking to him. Breathing air. Still alive. “Stay on the phone with me.”
“I’m trapped in my seat belt. I need to get out of it.”
“Don’t hang up.”
“I won’t. You’re on speakerphone.”
He heard rustling. A grunt. Then a thud. “Jade?”
“I’m okay,” she gasped. “Just had a bit of a hard landing when I released my seat belt.”
The picture that statement presented didn’t help his worry. And then he saw her up ahead. He pressed the gas pedal and heard sirens behind him. The sight of her SUV on its right side sent a wave of nausea crashing over him. But she was on the phone. She was okay. “I’m here.”
“I’ve got the window rolled down and am getting ready to climb out. Driver’s side.”
Her head popped up and he pulled in beside her as she pulled herself out of the window and slid down the roof to the ground.
Bryce captured her into a quick hug before stepping back to check for injuries. Hopefully, the fact that she was able to climb out meant she wasn’t hurt too badly. “You’ve got a cut on your forehead.”
“And likely a bruise from the seat belt is going to show up and look lovely.”
“I think it’s time to start wrapping you in bubble wrap or body armor or something.”
She grimaced but didn’t argue.
Police cruisers pulled in, and officers surrounded them. Concern for Jade was obvious, and Bryce could see the close bond she had with her fellow officers. He flashed briefly to that remembered camaraderie he used to share with the buddies he’d served with. After the explosion and the loss of his leg, he’d shoved them all away and cut himself off. He’d think about the regret later. “How did this happen?” he asked.
“Guy ran me off the road.”
“But…why?”
“I don’t know. Trust me, I’ve been going over and over this in my head. The only thing I can think of is that we missed someone in the sting.”
“Then the person who wants you dead is still out there.”
“Apparently.” She raked a hand through her ponytail, and Bryce noted several cuts and scrapes.
“You need to go to the hospital and get checked out.”
“I’m fine. I just need to go to my parents’ house and get cleaned up.”
He started to argue with her, then snapped his lips shut. He didn’t blame her for not wanting to go to the hospital, but that meant he’d need to keep a close eye on her. “You’re going to insist on staying at your parents’ place, aren’t you?”
