Dangerous Kiss (The Layton Family 1)

Hank burst out of one of the cars, his gun pointing toward the plane. Burlington stood at the top of the stairs. Without a fight, Burlington raised his hands, surrendering to the inevitable.

Claire sighed into Jake’s chest. She felt as if she’d gone twelve rounds in the ring with the heavyweight boxing title holder. Pushing her own aches and pains to the background, she focused on the damage Franklin had inflicted on Jake. Wincing at the sight, she took in his bloodied nose and the shiner darkening his left eye.

“You look like you just played in a hockey game.”

He smirked down at her and patted her wind-twisted hair. “Yeah, we make a hell of a couple.”

“We sure do.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and captured his lips with hers. Activity swirled around them, but her bones dissolved and her muscles became limp. Right now, there was only Jake.

His hands slid up her sides, rubbing against the ache throbbing in her ribs. Claire jerked back from the kiss, panting in agony. Black dots marred her vision and she waited for the searing pain to lessen.

“Shit, Claire. We’ve got to get you to the ambulance. Come on.” Jake scooped her up into his arms and hustled her over to the waiting medics.

She kept her breaths short and shallow in an effort not to aggravate her sore ribs. But her misery must have flashed on her face like a neon sign because the paramedic took one look at her and waved her inside the vehicle. Jake helped her up and took a seat in the stretcher across from her.

“Sit up, don’t lie down.” The EMT slid his palms down her side. His assessing touch was gentle, but when he connected with the rib underneath her right breast, she writhed in agony and squirmed back from him.

He shook his head and sighed. “It could be a bad bruise or a fracture. We’ll have to take you in.”

Jake grabbed her hand. His gaze didn’t waver from her when his phone started ringing.

“Go on, answer it. I don’t think we have to worry about phone calls anymore.” Claire tried to smile, but the effort exhausted her.

He squeezed her fingers and answered the phone with his free hand. “Hello?”

His grasp on her fingers tightened until their tips were almost purple. With care, she slid them away, knowing from the pinched look on his face that something else had gone wrong.

What now? It had to be over. Burlington was in custody. Tears sprang to her eyes, she couldn’t take any more bad guys.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He nodded once and clicked the phone off.

She leaned forward, ignoring her throbbing ribs, to take his hands in hers. “What now?”

“It’s my old man.” A distant, mournful look haunted his slate-blue eyes. “He’s having trouble breathing. They don’t think it’s related to his lung cancer, but they can’t be sure. They just took him to the hospital. I’m sorry, Claire, I have to get back to Denver.”

The despondent look on his face hurt her more than the steering wheel to her ribs had. “Go on. You don’t need to come to the hospital with me. Go home to Denver.” She brushed his lips with hers, her heart aching for him.

He returned her gentle kiss before she pulled away. He slid his thumb across her swollen lips, worry and regret plain in his gaze. “Claire, I…” His hands fell to his sides. He opened and shut his mouth a few times, but no more words came.

“It’s okay, Jake. Everything will be okay.” Her bottom lip trembled as she dug her fingernails into her palms, hoping her words made it true.

He stood, hunched over, in the crowded ambulance and shuffled out. As he straightened to his full height in the parking lot, he turned. The torment etched on his face twisted her into a knot.

He plowed his fingers through his short black hair. “I…we…this…”

The knot tightened until her heart tore in two. This was it. He wasn’t coming back. They’d known a relationship wasn’t in the cards. Whatever they were doing, it wouldn’t last past his time in Dry Creek. Now that time was up. He’d probably remember the past few days as just a crazy interlude brought about by the chaos they’d experienced.

Part of her wanted to plead her case, beg him to love her as much as he said. But she couldn’t add to the stress and pressure he was no doubt feeling right now.

She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. Best for both of them to let him off the hook now.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine from here on out on my own thanks to you.” She took in a shaky breath. “Jake, go be with your dad. He needs you.”

He remained still for another few seconds, shoulders slumped and his face turned toward the ground. When he looked up, a hollowness darkened his gaze. Then, he spun around on his heel and strode for the gate.

Wondering if she’d really done the right thing, Claire watched him go until the EMT shut the doors and the ambulance took off.

Chapter Seventeen