Page 48 of Bold Encounter
"Jesus, Abe," she whispered, examining the angry red bruising that was already forming across his shoulder."He could have killed you."
"But he didn't," Abe said, sitting on the edge of his bed."This was a warning, not an assassination attempt."
Her touch was infinitely gentle as she examined his shoulder, checking for signs of serious injury."Can you move it?"
Abe rotated his shoulder carefully."It's strained, not dislocated."
"What about your ribs?"
"A bit sore but not broken.It's more of a surface injury."
Genevieve knelt beside the bed, her eyes bright with unshed tears."You did this for me."
"I did this because someone needed to look Jason in the eye and make it clear that his actions have consequences."
"And what did he say during your conversation?"
Abe thought about Jason's smug admissions, his veiled threats, and his unshakable confidence that he could destroy anyone who opposed him."He made it clear that he considers you his property and that anyone who interferes will face consequences."
"Like you just did."
"Like I just did."He reached up with his good arm to touch her face."But I also learned that he has backup, people willing to use violence on his behalf."
Genevieve leaned into his touch, then closed her eyes."I'm scared, Abe.Not just for me anymore, but for you and for Brooke—and for anyone who gets pulled into this mess."
"We're going to stop him," Abe said."Today just proved that he has no moral compass."
Genevieve opened her eyes and looked at him with an expression he'd never seen before.It was love, gratitude, and recognition that he'd put himself at risk for her, that he'd chosen her over his own safety.
"You could have been severely injured," she said.
"But I wasn't."
"This time."She stood and moved to sit beside him on the bed, careful not to jar his injured shoulder."Promise me you won't do anything like that again without backup."
"I promise," Abe said, though they both knew that when it came to protecting her, he would break that promise without hesitation.
Chapter 12
Genevieve leaned against Abe's good shoulder as they sat on the edge of his bed.The bruise on his other shoulder served as a stark reminder of Jason's ruthlessness.
"I can't believe he did this to you," she said, still somewhat in disbelief."And it was because you defended me."
Abe tightened his arm around her, drawing her closer against his side."He didn't do this because of you.He did it because he's deranged and thinks violence is an acceptable way to send a message."
His voice was calm, but she could feel the tension in his muscles, the controlled anger that simmered beneath the surface."Once I called him out on his behavior, Jason had to assert his control."
"Butheprovoked it."
Abe looked at her without comment.It didn't matter who'd started it.The fact was that Jason intended to maintain the upper hand and had no sense of fairness.Genevieve remembered that about him from the earlier band days.
The warmth of Abe's body against hers, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the familiar scent of his cologne combined to create an overwhelming sense of connection.She'd come so close to losing him, to having Jason's violence take away the man who meant so much to her.
"When I saw you favoring that shoulder," she said, "and realized someone had hurt you because of me…"
Abe shifted slightly to look at her."Honey…I'm right here.I'm okay."
The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch.She could see his desire, and such tenderness that it made her heart skip a beat.This strong, brave man had risked everything for her, had put himself between her and danger without a second thought.
