"You stupid whore." Trevor railed above her. "That baby should be mine."
The bang of a door echoed through the cement cavern. A gun cocked. A shot fired. Then car tires squealed. A white blur sped away. Burning rubber singed her nostrils. She dry-heaved.
An unfamiliar face bent over her. "You're okay, Allison." The man picked her up and carried her toward the building. "Stay with me," he instructed. "Breathe. Slow, easy. In and out. The worst is over."
"Who-?" She chocked on a fit of coughing.
"I'm your bodyguard when Logan isn't around. If anything happens to you, the boss will kill me," he muttered. "But I know you're strong. Everything's fine now … You're safe … "
His soothing voice faded to muted tones. She stopped fighting and surrendered to the darkness.
CHAPTER 10
She had no idea how long she'd been out.
Upon waking, Allison winced at the pain hammering in her skull. Her body ached. Her wrist was too heavy to move. Her cheek throbbed hotly, swollen.
Steady beeps and the smell of antiseptic told her where she was. Harsh fluorescent lights singed her pupils as she forced her eyes open.
The first thing she needed to know: Is the baby okay?
Frantically, she traced the small swell of her abdomen. She struggled up to sitting, releasing a groan. A man in a dark suit stood in the hallway with his back to her, arms crossed, guarding the door.
"Help," she whimpered.
He glanced over his shoulder. She recognized his face as the one that had hovered above her as he'd carried her away from danger. His eyes widened, seeing her awake, then he moved swiftly down the hall. He murmured in low tones. Logan rushed into the room. He was at her bed in three strides.
Torment tightened his features. He brushed her hair back, half-sitting on the hospital bed. His thumb smoothed her unmarred cheek. "How do you feel?"
"The baby." She fisted her hand in his shirt. "Am I still … ? Is everything-"
"Okay. So far." He kissed her forehead. "The nurse did an ultrasound. Dr. Murray came by to check on things. They said the baby is fine."
She collapsed against him. "Oh, thank God."
"My words exactly." He gathered her in his arms. "You took the brunt of it, baby doll. You've suffered a sprained wrist and a concussion."
She stiffened. "Where is Trevor?"
"Out of the state, if he has any self-preservation in him," Logan growled.
"I doubt it." She started trembling. "No one stands in the way of what he wants."
"He's never met me." Logan's muscles tensed, but he checked his anger.
She thanked him silently. She doubted she could tolerate another fit of rage.
"I should've been there." Angst coated his words. "I'm sorry, Allison."
She shook her head. "Trevor planned this, waiting for the right conditions. He knew I was parked far from intervention. He chose a time when no one was around. He caught me by surprise." She made a frustrated sound. "I should've been prepared. I should've known he'd-"
"Stop right there." He cupped her face. "This is not your fault."
Tears threatened. "I know better than to let my guard down. I should've been more careful."
"Allison, if anyone's to blame, it's me."
The tortured look in his eyes made her heart throb with compassion. "No, Trevor's the one who needs to accept responsibility."
"That's likely," he bit out. "God, I wish I'd been there. I would've flattened him."
"I know." She curved her hand around his strong bicep, wishing he could hold her forever. But if they had any hope of catching Trevor, they needed to act fast. "What about the police? Do they have any leads?"
"Not yet." He released an agitated sigh. "There's an officer in the hall, waiting to take your statement. Are you up for it? Because I can tell him to come back later-"
"I'll talk to him."
"You sure?" The concern in his expression touched her.
She nodded.
Logan paced, fists clenched, as she recounted to Officer Pratt the traumatic reunion with Trevor. When she finished, the officer flipped his notebook shut. He looked like he'd swallowed a razor. "Guy's a freaking piece of work."
Stepping forward, Logan looked ashen but resolute. "If he comes near her again, will I be held responsible for my actions?"
The officer arched an eyebrow. "I'll pretend you didn't ask that, so your self-defense plea will hold up better in court."
"Logan," she chided.
"What?"
"Don't. Please. If Trevor comes back, let the police handle it."
Logan's jaw tightened. "No one lays a hand on my woman and walks away."