Page 89 of The Hero
Bob couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Yes, ma’am,” he said.
“Good. Can you please get me out of this stinky car now? I have a celebration to get to.”
Bob looked behind him at the still-unconscious Ian West. JJ had trussed him up so tightly, he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Bob could hear sirens coming in hard as well. His hand flexed as he thought about hitting West one more time, but a touch of Marlowe’s hand to his arm had him forgetting about the man in an instant.
“Kendric?”
“We’re going,” he told her, gesturing to the other door, where Chappy was still hovering. He didn’t want her even looking at West. “But we’re going to make a stop at the clinic before we do anything else.”
“I’m fine,” Marlowe insisted as she scooted across the seat.
“Humor me,” Bob pleaded.
Chappy grasped her hand and carefully helped her out of the car. Bob was immediately at her side. Marlowe turned to him and leaned her forehead against his chest. They stood like that for a long moment, soaking in the fact that they were both alive and well.
He caught a glimpse of Chief Rutkey running toward them as other officers screamed into the lot, sirens blasting, driving way too fast.
Marlowe looked up at Bob and smiled. “Men and their toys,” she joked quietly.
Bob closed his eyes for a fraction. He’d almost lost this. Her. He needed her so badly, had no idea what he’d have done without her. By the grace of God, today wasn’t the day he’d find out.
He opened his eyes and touched a gentle finger to her neck.
Marlowe reached up and took his finger in her grasp. “I’m okay. Honestly.”
Bob nodded.
They both turned as Alfred Rutkey reached them. “Are you okay?” he barked gruffly.
“Yes,” Marlowe said. “Did you get it? Was it enough?”
Alfred smiled. It was a satisfied and almost bloodthirsty grin. “It was more than enough,” he told her.
“Good. Oh! He had a gun,” she blurted.
Bob thought his knees might give out yet again at hearing that. He clutched her to him even tighter as she continued.
“That’s why I got in his car. Theonlyreason. It was either get in and hope I survived, or let him shoot me in Chappy’s car.” She turned to Bob. “I had to do it. If there was even the slightest chance I’d get back to you ...”
Bob couldn’t possibly love this woman any more than he did right that moment.
Before he could speak, Rutkey nodded and said, “We know. Got a call from one of the agents watching the feed. You were in the car before I could even notify my officers on the scene, but I wouldn’t have let them intervene regardless. The chance of Ian shooting you if he realized he was being watched was too high.”
Marlowe seemed to take that information in stride. She nodded, then said, “I don’t know where the coins went. He was holding them when he grabbed me. They might be on the floorboards or something. But ... if it’s okay, Kendric and I are going to leave. We’ll be at Jack’s Lumber if you need a statement. Although I’m probably going to have too many drinks, so it might be better if you waited until tomorrow to talk to me.”
The police chief smiled. “All right. I think we’re good. I mean, we have the recordings, so there’s no pressing need to interview you immediately.”
“Right.”
“Although, if I can make a suggestion?” Alfred said, still smirking.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget to take off those earrings. Wouldn’t want you broadcasting anything you’ll be embarrassed about later.”
Marlowe looked up at Bob, and he almost melted at the look of love on her face. “Right, I’ll do that,” she agreed.
Bob could practically read her mind. He wanted to take her straight home, strip her, and check every inch of her body to make sure she really was all right. Then he wanted to bury himself inside her and not leave for the rest of the night.
